Final score: Syracuse 27, Clemson 24

OH MY GOD.

The Syracuse Orange, 22-point underdogs coming into this game against the No. 2 Clemson Tigers, somehow won 27-24. It wasn’t really that close, though things got tighter in the second half.

THIS is the game we’ve been hoping for since Dino Babers arrived at SU -- and probably earlier, given our history against Clemson since joining the ACC. Syracuse came out firing and never really let up. If not for a fumble in the second quarter, this one could’ve even been decided much sooner.

Eric Dungey throw for over 260 yards, while adding over 50 on the ground. As expected, he was under siege for the entire contest, and took maybe even more hits than we’d figured given that pressure.

What was most surprising was the team’s overall effectiveness to move the football on the ground against Clemson, one of the nation’s top run defenses. Though the average (around 3.5 yards per carry) doesn’t show it, the 150-plus yards do. Dontae Strckland had his second straight strong running game as well.

Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Orange touchdowns came from Strickland, Ervin Philips and Steve Ishmael, all through the air. The SU pass rush was relentless, knocking Kelly Bryant out for the Tigers, then keeping the pressure up for the remainder of the game vs. Zerrick Cooper.

For the second straight week, Syracuse had the ball late with a three-point lead, and was able to close the door.

Plenty more to come, gang. WE BEAT CLEMSON!!!! Please keep your celebrating to here -- don’t want to see anyone wandering over to STS (or elsewhere) being a dick. Celebrate the win with your fellow Orange fans at TNIAAM.