ACC fines Syracuse for faking injuries against Clemson
Despite Syracuse's win over Clemson, it was fined $25,000 by the ACC after SU defenders Kevin Jobity and Nissi Ogbebor faked injuries versus the Tigers. Leonardo Eriman | Photo Editor
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Syracuse will be fined $25,000 by the Atlantic Coast Conference for faking injuries during Saturday’s win over Clemson, the conference announced in an email Monday.
Per the ACC’s release, 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 infraction occurred at the 9:25 mark in the fourth quarter, when Kevin Jobity and Nissi Ogbebor went down simultaneously as Clemson entered the red zone.
Syracuse’s actions “were a clear attempt to gain an unmerited advantage by stopping the game in order to secure an injury timeout,” the ACC’s statement continued. On top of the ACC’s league office, the play was also reviewed by the National Coordinator of Football Officials, which also determined Syracuse violated the rules.
The ACC wasn’t the first to notice Syracuse possibly exaggerating injuries. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik expressed his discontent with the Orange’s tactics to reporters Saturday.
“We were playing with tempo all throughout the game,” Klubnik said postgame. “Props to them, they stopped us on some third downs and in certain times they had an injury when we really got going. That’s up to them if they really want to be honest about that.”
In response to the fine — which is the maximum allowed according to the league’s bylaws — Syracuse athletics released a statement, published by Syracuse.com’s Brent Axe. SU said it “acknowledges and accepts the reprimand and fine issues by the ACC. We remain firmly committed to upholding the highest standards of sportsmanship and competitive integrity across all 20 of our varsity programs.”
