Sports

Clemson QB Accuses Syracuse Of Cheating Citing Exploitation Of New NCAA Rule

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Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik

© Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images


The Clemson football team fell to Syracuse at home to drop to 1-3 on the season. Starting QB Cade Klubnik called out the Orange’s shady tactics after the loss.

He stopped just short of accusing his opponent of blatant cheating with their exploitation of a new NCAA rule. The response sparked a major reaction on social media.

Klubnik threw for 363 yards in the loss with three touchdowns and a pick. The offense didn’t have issues moving the ball. They did, however, have trouble finding the endzone.

The Tigers had an interception, a lost fumble, and three turnovers on downs in the second half of the 34-21 defeat. Despite outgaining the Orange, they lost by two touchdowns.

Cade Klubnik suggested Syracuse faked injuries.

“We were playing with tempo,” he said of his team’s offensive performance. “Props to them, they stopped us on some third downs. At certain times, the have an ‘injury’ or something like that when we really got going.

“That’s up to them if they want to be honest about that. It was definitely tough for us to get in a rhythm.”

The Orange have been found guilty of employing the tactic in the past. Earlier this year, they attempted to slow Tennessee’s high-powered offense with fake injuries.

Technically, Syracuse didn’t break any rules. They are, however, cheating the system.

A new NCAA rule states that teams will be charged a timeout for injuries that stop play after the ball has been lined up. There is no penalty for stoppages that require medical attention before the ball is spotted, even those that might not be as serious as they appear.

Cade Klubnik believes the Orange took advantage of that technicality. It worked to their advantage in the ACC win.