CLEMSON — Clemson running back Adam Randall admits the Tigers are in a position that they never expected — sitting 1-3 after another tough, 34-21, home loss to Syracuse on Saturday.

“Not the result we wanted, not the result we worked for,” Randall said. “(It’s the) result that we got. We can only move forward, learn from it, and correct it.”

Saturday’s result at Memorial Stadium, dropped Clemson to 1-3 for the first since 2004. It is also the first time Clemson fell to 0-2 to start ACC play since 2010.

What is the problem?

The Tigers have struggled to find consistency on offense this season. They have the opportunities, but they failed to capitalize on them. 

Against Syracuse, Clemson’s offense found some rhythm in the first half but faltered late. They could move from the 20 to the Orange 35, but once again it was a struggle to get the ball into the end zone. 

Randall’s third-quarter fumble at the Clemson 18-yard line proved costly, changing the tone of the game with the Tigers trailing by two scores. The Orange scored on the next play, an 18-yard touchdown pass from Rickie Collins to Justus Ross-Simmons, to take a 34-14 lead with 2:12 to play in the third quarter. 

“The ball was wet…it was one hundred percent on me,” Randall said. “I let my team down.” 

Despite the frustration, Randall has made a huge impact on the team this year. He has scored in all four games this season.

On Saturday, he recorded a career high with 130 rushing yards, added a career-high seven receptions for 44 yards, also added 53 kickoff return yards for a career-high 227 all-purpose yards. He became the first Clemson player to record 200 all-purpose yards since Will Shipley’s 242 yards against Syracuse in 2022.

Despite his own personal success, Randall knows he needs to provide pivotal leadership at this moment and is being looked to for motivation and guidance.

“As a leader, it’s my responsibility to make sure my team is in the right headspace,” he said. 

Head coach Dabo Swinney has encouraged all of his players to stick together. Stay off social media. That’s all they can do right now. 

“Put our eyes forward,” Randall said. 

“Get better ball security, get healthy, get in a rhythm,” he later added. “It takes eleven guys. It takes guys being committed.”

The start to the season has been a frustrating one for Clemson, it is not used to being in this position. 

“It’s not exciting being 1-3.”