SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The top-ranked Clemson Tigers will visit Syracuse, N.Y. on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in the Carrier Dome. The game will be televised locally on ABC and nationally on ESPN2.
About Syracuse: After opening the season with three straight win, the Orange have lost six straight games. They are coming off a 41-17 loss to Louisville. They have given up at least 41 points in four of the last five games.
Syracuse’s offense: Quarterback Eric Dungey will miss the game with a head injury. That means walk-on Zack Mahoney will make his second start of the season. He was 16 of 38 for 154 yards and three touchdowns in the Orange’s 34-24 loss to LSU on September 26. He also threw an interception in the loss. Syracuse ranks 116th nationally in total offense at 331.6 yards per game.
Syracuse’s defense: The Orange ranks 100th in total defense, yielding 438.0 yards per game. They are allowing 274.2 yards a game through the air, which ranks 110th in the country. They have allowed 45, 44, 45 and 41 points in four of the last five games to South Florida, Virginia, Florida State and Louisville.
Records: Clemson (9-0, 6-0 ACC); Syracuse (3-6, 1-4 ACC)
Series record: Clemson leads the series 2-1
Games in Syracuse: Clemson leads 1-0
First meeting: Syracuse 41, Clemson 0 in the 1995 Gator Bowl
Last Meeting: Clemson won 16-6 in 2014
Last Syracuse win: The 1995 Gator Bowl
Streak: Clemson has won two straight in the series
Injuries: Clemson – Out: LB Korrin Wiggins (knee); WR Mike Williams (neck); C Zach Riggs (knee); WR Ray Ray McCloud (knee); OG Tyrone Crowder (foot). Syracuse – Out: WR Sean Avant (lower body); CB Corey Winfield (lower body); LB Parris Bennett (upper body); DE Luke Arciniega (upper body); QB Eric Dungey (concussion); S Daivon Ellison (upper body); TE Kendall Moore (upper body).
Stat worth noting: Clemson has now won 12 straight games which is the second longest streak in the county to Ohio State’s 22 straight. It is also the second longest winning streak in Clemson history. From 1980-’82, Clemson won 13th straight. The 12 straight wins is the seventh best figure all-time in ACC history.
Second stat worth noting: Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson in the last four games has a passing efficiency rating of 171.52. During that time Watson completed 93 of 132 passes (.704) for 1,243 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has not thrown an interception. He has totaled 1,534 yards and 13 touchdowns despite playing a little more than one half in one of those games.
Third stat worth noting: Watson is 24 of 28 for 295 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter this season. He has not thrown an interception in the fourth quarter. He is completing 85.7 percent of his passes, which is the best in the nation. His 197.78 passing efficiency rating in the fourth quarter is the fourth best in the country.