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Syracuse University has been fined $25,000 by the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for faking injuries during their recent game against Clemson. The ACC stated that Syracuse violated NCAA Football Rule 3-3-6-b, which addresses feigning injuries to gain an advantage, calling the actions "unethical and contrary to the spirit of the rules." The incident occurred with 9:25 left in the fourth quarter when Syracuse defensive linemen Nissi Ogbebor and Kevin Jobity Jr. fell to the ground after a 23-yard completion by Clemson's Cade Klubnik. This stoppage allowed Syracuse to avoid being charged a timeout, as the players went down before the ball was spotted.
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik accused Syracuse of using these tactics to disrupt Clemson's tempo, making it difficult for them to maintain rhythm during the game. Despite the controversy, Syracuse secured a 34-21 victory over Clemson.
The ACC's review, which involved the National Coordinator of Football Officials, confirmed that the actions violated the spirit of fair play and the new injury timeout rule. The fine is the maximum allowed under league bylaws, and the funds will be directed to a postgraduate scholarship fund. The incident highlights ongoing efforts to eliminate fake injuries in college football, a tactic used to slow down fast-paced offenses and allow defenses to adjust.