CLEMSON — Clemson’s horribly disappointing start to the 2025 season hit a new low on Sept. 20 with a 34-21 loss to Syracuse in Memorial Stadium.

The Tigers (1-3, 0-2 ACC) have now lost three of their first four games for the first time since 2004, which was Dabo Swinney’s second year under Tommy Bowden as a receivers coach. Clemson would fall to 1-4 that year before winning five out of their last six.

Swinney’s program has now fallen to 0-2 in conference play for the second time in three seasons; the Tigers started the 2023 season with defeats to Duke and Florida State, which was Cade Klubnik’s first season as Clemson’s starting quarterback.

Key stats

Syracuse scored 24 points on its first four offensive drives, racking up 279 yards in a quarter-plus. Just not a good start for Tom A

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