Clemson down multiple key starters for matchup vs. Syracuse

Clemson will be without key playmakers on both sides of the ball for Saturday’s game against Syracuse.

Receiver Antonio Williams and cornerback Nate Wiggins will miss the game, Clemson announced Saturday morning. The Tigers released their travel roster prior to Saturday’s Noon kickoff and both players were left off of it.

Antonio Williams is missing his second consecutive game after suffering an ankle injury in Week 3 against Florida Atlantic. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said earlier this week that Williams was “day-to-day” and he was unsure if he would be able to play against Syracuse.

Nate Wiggins got banged up late in last week’s loss to Florida State. The junior injured his leg while breaking up a pass in the final seconds of regulation. The injury looked bad at first glance, but Swinney said there was no structural damage. However, he will unable to play Saturday against the Orange.

Williams was the leading receiver for Clemson this season, prior to going down with an injury. He also led the Tigers in receiving last season.

Wiggins has been arguably Clemson’s best defensive player this year. He had an excellent game against FSU stud receivers Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson last weekend. He is expected to be a high draft pick in the NFL draft when he leaves Clemson.

Kirk Herbstreit gives honest evaluation of Clemson program

Clemson will be without Wiggins and Williams for its huge game against Syracuse. The Tigers are looking to avoid an 0-3 start in ACC play.

With Clemson struggling early on this season, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit gave his evaluation of where the program is.

“We can talk numbers all we want but if you just watch Clemson – this year, last year, versus going back to the Deshaun Watson era with Trevor Lawrence – it just feels different,” Kirk Herbstreit said. “And it’s nothing against Cade [Klubnik]. I think it’s more really about the perimeter.”

Herbstreit believes Clemson is lacking elite receivers at the moment and is still searching for an identity under new offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. Still, he feels that the Tigers are talented.

“They’re still trying to find an identity with a new offensive coordinator. Now let’s not get this thing carried away – they’re a chip shot away from beating Florida State and everybody talking about how great Clemson is on their way up to Syracuse,” Herbstreit said. “They fumbled twice inside the 10-yard line against Duke. They threw a pick. They are self-destructing. But I’m just saying, this isn’t like they’re still not a competitive team. I wanna see their psyche and how they deal with two losses in September, going to Syracuse today.”