Syracuse Football: Five Takeaways From Tough Loss vs. Clemson

The Syracuse Orange football team saw its modest two-game winning streak come to an end on Saturday afternoon, losing 18-13 against the Clemson Tigers at the JMA Wireless Dome.

With the win, Clemson improves to 6-3 overall. The loss dropped the Orange to 4-5 and 2-5 inside Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play. The Orange need to win two of their final three games in order to get bowl eligible for the second time in three years.

Here's what you need to know from this game. The takeaways are in no particular order.

Steve Angeli did not have a very good day at quarterback for SU, going just 18-of-40 for 263 yards, one touchdown, one fumble and one interception. He was just off on multiple throws, including a would-have been touchdown to Calvin Russell in the first half.

Furthermore, Justus Ross-Simmons had a chance at a touchdown in the second half but it went through his hands, and Angeli threw a pick in the endzone a few players later.

And there was the odd situation at the end of the first half, which cost Syracuse at least a chance at points.

Clemson's only touchdown came on a fumble return for a touchdown, and other than that, the Tigers were held to four field goals. Syracuse forced a fumble on special teams and then also had an interception late in the first half. 

All in all, Vince Kehres's unit did its job.

Umari Hatcher, who came into the game averaging nearly 120 yards per contest, was held to just two catches and 12 yards. He couldn't break free from projected top draft pick Ashton Hampton, and when he did, he had a critical drop on 3rd down in the second half.

The transfer from Jackson State had 20 carries for 101 yards, averaging just more than five yards per carry. Outside of him? The Orange had 13 carries for 16 yards. Miller is by far this team's best threat on the ground.

Give credit to Trip Woody where it's due. He did hit two field goals, including a 46-yarder, but he had a 32-yard miss in the first half which would have tied the game at 6-6. While it didn't directly cost the Orange the game, it was the eighth missed field goal of the year for Syracuse, tying them for most in the nation.