The Atlantic Coast Conference issued a $25,000 fine and public reprimand of the Syracuse football team for faking injuries during a win over Clemson, the conference announced Monday.
The decision came in response to Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik accusing Syracuse players of faking injuries to slow the tempo of the Tigers’ offense.
ACC officials cited violations that occurred with 9:25 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Orange’s 34-21 victory Saturday in Clemson, S.C.
Syracuse held a 34-14 lead with less than 10 minutes remaining. Klubnik completed a 23-yard pass to Tristan Smith and then the Orange tried to stop the game for an injury timeout.
The Tigers then scored when Klubnik connected with wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. on a 9-yard touchdown pass on the next play. Neither team scored again.
“With 9:25 remaining in the fourth quarter, Syracuse violated NCAA football rule 3-3-6-b, which addresses the feigning of injuries by players, declaring it ‘unethical and contrary to the spirit of the rules,'” the ACC said.
“The actions by the two players — especially with the concurrent action by the coach in the team area — were a clear attempt to gain an unmerited advantage by stopping the game in order to secure an injury timeout.”
The Tigers (1-3) out-gained the Orange (3-1) 503 to 435 in total yards. The Tigers also held advantages of 29-24 in first downs and 363 yards to 278 yards through the air.
“Props to them, they stopped us on some third downs at certain times and then, you know, they have an injury, or something like that, when we really got going,” Klubnik, who completed 37 of 60 passes for 363 yards, three scores and an interception, told reporters. “That’s up to them if they wanna be honest about that, but you know.
“That was definitely tough for us to really get in a rhythm. We’re playing fast, and then, unfortunately, they have a guy get hurt or something.”
Tigers running back Adam Randall logged 174 yards from scrimmage and a score on 23 touches. Wesco scored twice.
Orange quarterback Steve Angeli completed 18 of 31 passes for 244 yards and two scores. Running back Yasin Willis totaled 101 yards from scrimmage on 19 touches. Orange wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons caught two touchdown passes.
The Tigers will face coach Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels (2-2) on Oct. 4 in Chapel Hill, N.C. The Orange will host the Duke Blue Devils (2-2) on Saturday in Syracuse, N.Y.
