CLEMSON – The Clemson defense was up first in Syracuse after winning the toss and electing to defer. Wes Goodwin’s unit has proved to be the backbone of the Tigers in 2023 and emphatic start against the Orange proved it.

On the fourth play from scrimmage, Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader evaded pressure and broke a couple tackles for what looked like a first-down conversion. That was until defensive end Justin Mascoll, who traced the play from the line of scrimmage and blindsided Shrader.

The hit was massive, drawing a loud reaction from the crowd as the ball instantly left Shrader’s hands and Clemson recovered. Everyone in the JMA Wireless Dome saw the hit that almost drew a targeting penalty off sheer power and linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. got to see it up close.

“I was chasing the ball down, I had basically like a front row seat and he killed him. He didn’t even see Mascoll coming, it was one of those and Mascoll really just laid out there and got the ball loose there. That was a big play, good way to start the game,” Trotter said.

Syracuse came in averaging over 213 yards on the ground, and this hit sent the message that the Tigers weren’t going to allow Shrader and the Orange to run around without some punishment. Shrader mustered just 24 rushing yards and was sacked five times in the game, which included Trotter.

That hit became the play of the game and it felt like Syracuse was unable to recover both physically and mentally. It’s an edge Clemson wants to show more often, and Trotter detailed that tone.

“I definitely feel like that was a great tone setter. Just really sets the tone for the mentality that we wanted to have throughout the whole game which is just being physical, running around, getting to the ball and just trying to create turnovers,” Trotter said.

21 of the Tigers’ 31 points in the win came off turnovers, and that’s something this unit has emphasized. Trotter said “bad intentions” are key to going after the ball, and that message was loud and clear on Mascoll’s hit. That’s something Clemson’s defense is priding themselves on, and striking fear into ACC opponents with this season.