Top-ranked Clemson was not nearly as sharp in the first half Saturday as it has been. There was an interception, dropped passes, overthrows, a fumble, a blocked punt and a missed field goal. Yet, despite their lack of execution, the Tigers lead Syracuse 27-14 at halftime.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw two touchdown passes and running back Travis Etienne ran for a score, but at times Clemson did not look sharp as the Orange keyed on slowing down Etienne and the Clemson rushing attack.
Lawrence, who was completing 72 percent of his passes coming into Saturday’s game, was just 20-of-32 for 203 yards in the first 30 minutes.