Despite a 70-7 beatdown loss on the road at Notre Dame, the news wasn't all bad for Syracuse football this weekend. That's because Orange alum Alijah Clark, who is a rookie on special teams for the Dallas Cowboys, made one of the best plays of the NFL season, drawing widespread praise for it.

The play and situation 

The Cowboys trailed the Eagles 21-0 at one point, but rallied to tie the game at 21 apiece late in the fourth quarter.

With 5:25 left and the score tied at 21-21, the Cowboys punted the ball away, with Clark forcing a crucial fumble at the Eagles seven-yard line.

The Cowboys ultimately turned the ball over on downs, but after forcing a punt of their own, they were able to go down and win the game on a last-second field goal.

A closer look at the play reveals that not only did Clark force the fumble, he did so after showing tremendous perseverance. He was knocked down several times on the way to returner Xavier Gipson, but just kept pursuing.

You can see the highlight below:

What they are saying:

--From NFL Insider Jordan Schultz in the post above:

This effort by #Cowboys rookie Alijah Clark really caught my attention. Incredible. And it's one every team should show their players.

--From Cowboys reporter Ed Werder of ESPN:

I showed Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer this play on my phone after his press conference. He said he had heard about it. After he watched the video, Schottenheimer said, “That’s a game ball. He’s getting a game ball for that.”

P--er analytics guru Warren Sharp:

this is a never give up effort play you show to your kids

what a play by Alijah Clark

from blocked flat on his back to forcing a fumble 50 yards downfield

--Even seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady praised the play on the broadcast, calling it "relentless effort" and "great hustle."

About Clark at SU

A New Jersey native, Clark spent two years at Syracuse after one year at Rutgers. A defensive back by trade, he had one interception, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries with the Orange. He had two picks for his career and registered 187 career tackles.

He has eight solo tackles and seven assisted tackles for the Cowboys, who are 5-5-1 on the season. They have a nine percent chance to make the playoffs after the win.

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