Overview

• Clemson fell to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the ACC with a 34-21 home loss, marking the worst start of Swinney’s tenure.
• Steve Angeli threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns before a lower‑leg injury, and Syracuse added a relief TD pass after Fran Brown’s successful early gambles, including an onside kick and a fourth‑down conversion.
• Cade Klubnik posted 363 yards and three touchdowns on 37-of-60 passing, but Clemson went 3-of-13 on third down and 1-of-5 on fourth, with eight penalties and two turnovers undercutting 503 total yards.
• Criticism intensified from fans and national voices, with Nick Saban saying Swinney must adapt to the modern game, and commentators questioning the coach’s future.
• Swinney vowed to “be better,” quarterback Cade Klubnik pledged to keep fighting, and Clemson heads into a bye before visiting North Carolina on Oct. 4 with playoff hopes fading.