Clemson survives Syracuse scare. QB Trevor Lawrence injured

Clemson’s offense struggled for most of Saturday’s game against Syracuse, particularly after starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence went down with an injury late in the first half.

But when the Tigers took over at their own 6-yard line with 6:06 remaining, backup quarterback Chase Brice and the rest of the offense delivered.

Brice led Clemson (5-0, 2-0) on a 13-play, 94-yard touchdown drive that took 5:25 off the clock, culminating with a 2-yard touchdown run by Travis Etienne, as Clemson rallied for a 27-23 victory against Syracuse (4-1, 1-1).

It was hard to imagine when the season started or even when this week started that Brice would be called upon to lead a game-winning drive in 2018, but after senior quarterback Kelly Bryant transferred earlier this week and Lawrence was removed from the game due to concussion protocol, the redshirt freshman Brice had his number called.

“What a game. It’s one that I’ll probably never forget,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “I’m super proud of our team and staff. They faced a lot of challenges this week, obviously, but you saw our football team grow up today. You saw the heart of our football team today. We kept battling.”

Lawrence left the game midway through the second quarter when he took a hard hit in the upper body area. Swinney said there is nothing wrong with Lawrence’s neck or shoulder, but doctors placed him in concussion protocol. He is hopeful Lawrence will be able to play next week at Wake Forest.

Clemson did most of its damage on the ground on the final drive as Brice attempted only one pass, but it was a big one.

With Clemson facing a fourth-and-6 from its own 48 and only 2:50 remaining, Brice threw a strike to Tee Higgins for a 20-yard gain.

The redshirt freshman quarterback then rushed for 17 yards on the next play, carrying a couple of Orange defenders with him.

From there the running game took over. The Tigers ran the ball four consecutive plays with backup running back Tavien Feaster gaining 11 yards and Etienne later finishing off the drive with the touchdown.

“Chase Brice ... what can you say about him?” Clemson co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott said. “He was given a very difficult circumstance, not only to come in but to come in when we’re down and not really on our game. I’ll always remember, as long as Chase is here, fourth and 6 with the game on the line.”

For much of the game it appeared as though the Tigers were going to suffer a second consecutive stunning loss to Syracuse.

Clemson trailed Syracuse 13-7 when Lawrence went down and was down 16-7 at the half before a back-and-forth second half took place.

The Tigers cut the lead to 16-13 entering the fourth quarter on a pair of Greg Huegel field goals before the Orange took a two-score lead on a 1-yard touchdown run by Eric Dungey early in the fourth quarter.

Dungey’s score gave Syracuse a 23-13 lead and came after Amari Rodgers fumbled a punt at the Clemson 10.

Clemson quickly answered as Brice hit Justyn Ross for two big gains and Etienne scored on a 26-yard touchdown run, bringing Clemson to within 23-20 and setting up the late heroics.

Etienne finished with 27 carries for a career high 203 yards and three touchdowns.

Lawrence was 10-for-15 passing for 93 yards before going out with the injury, while Brice was 7-for-13 for 83 yards and an interception.

Clemson’s defense held Syracuse’s explosive offense to 311 total yards to keep the Tigers in the game until the offense put together a couple of drives late.

THREE POINTS

Star of the game: Travis Etienne stole the show with a career-high 203 yards and three touchdowns. Syracuse knew the ball was going to Etienne and couldn’t do anything to stop him..

Play of the game: The game was on the line when Chase Brice found Tee Higgins for a 20-yard gain on fourth-and-6 late in the fourth quarter. Brice threw a perfect pass through a tight window.

Stat of the game: 293-61. Clemson outrushed Syracuse 293-61. The Orange averaged 278 rushing yards per game before Saturday.

OBSERVATIONS

Xavier Thomas continues to make plays: Thomas wasn’t in the game much on Saturday, but the freshman defensive end made his presence felt when he was, drilling Syracuse QB Eric Dungey for a sack as the Orange tried to put together a drive in the final seconds.

Dungey is a stud: Speaking of Dungey, the Syracuse QB gave Clemson fits, passing for 250 yards and rushing for two touchdowns while nearly leading the Orange to an upset win over the TIgers for the second consecutive year.

Clemson can win with Brice: It wasn’t always pretty, but Brice made enough plays when he had to to lead Clemson to a victory. If Lawrence misses any time the Tigers can continue to win with Brice, particularly with the talent he has around him and the schedule Clemson faces.

NEXT

Who: Clemson at Wake Forest

When: Saturday, Oct. 6

Where: Winston-Salem, N.C.

How they scored

SYR: FG Szmyt 35, 9:49

SYR: FG Szmyt 51, 8:26

CLE: Etienne 1 run (Huegel kick), :54

SYR: Dungey 1 run (Szmyt kick), 7:31

SYR: FG Szmyt 32, :24

CLE: FG Huegel 43, 4:09

CLE: FG Huegel 38, 2:13

SYR: Dungey 1 run (Szmyt kick), 7:31

CLE: Etienne 26 run (Huegel kick), 11:08

CLE: Etienne 2 run (Huegel kick), :41

RUSHING: Syracuse, Riley 2-24, Neal 7-21, Dungey 13-11, Howard 1-3, D.Strickland 3-2. Clemson, Etienne 27-203, Choice 9-58, Feaster 9-44, (Team) 1-(minus 1), Brice 3-(minus 2), T.Lawrence 4-(minus 9).

PASSING: Syracuse, Dungey 26-41-1-250. Clemson, T.Lawrence 10-15-0-93, Rodgers 0-1-0-0, Brice 7-13-1-83.

RECEIVING: Syracuse, Custis 5-73, Butler 5-45, Neal 5-26, Riley 4-16, Harris 3-66, N.Johnson 2-17, D.Strickland 2-7. Clemson, Higgins 4-53, Rodgers 4-27, H.Renfrow 3-45, Ross 3-40, Feaster 1-8, Chase 1-6, Etienne 1-(minus 3).

MISSED FIELD GOALS_Clemson, Huegel 47.

This story was originally published September 29, 2018 at 3:23 PM.