SU Football Continues to be Clutch

SYRACUSE, NY – Spirits could not be higher for the Orange. After their thrilling  22-20 victory against the Virginia Cavaliers, the Orange are now 4-0 for the first time since 2018, proving that they are a team to watch in the ACC.

Sizzling Start

The tone for the game was set on the opening kickoff, with Syracuse wide receiver Trebor Pena returning the kick for 57 yards, putting the Orange opening drive in Virginia territory. Syracuse quicked capitalized with quarterback Garret Shrader driving down the field, ending with a 17- yard rushing touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead.

Afterwards the defense came up big, stopping the Cavaliers on mid-field, which resulted in a missed field goal by Virginia kicker Brandon Farrell from the 50-yard line. 

Virginia would immediately get the ball back when Syracuse running back Sean Tucker made a rare fumble, putting the ball  on the Orange’s 37-yard line. The Orange defense came up big again, only allowing six total yards on the Cavaliers  ensuing drive. Virginia would miss its second field goal in two minutes, this time from the 48-yard line.

The Orange would capitalize with a 26-yard field goal by Andre Szmyt to go up 10-0 by the end of the first quarter.

The Cavaliers would not attempt a field goal for the rest of the game.

Strong First Half

The Orange would finish off the first half on a very strong note, holding all Virginia drives to 23 yards or less after taking the ball down 46 yards on their initial drive.

Andre Smzyt would continue to be automatic, hitting all two field goals in the second quarter to go up 16-0 at the half.

Things Become Tense

Virginia would make the appropriate adjustments in the second half. On the first drive of the third quarter, Cavaliers quarterback Brennan Armstrong would take the team down a 75-yard drive, ending with a rushing touchdown by running back Keytaon Thompson to put Virgina on the board for the first time all game.

The Orange would immediately give the ball back to the Cavaliers after Trenor Pena fumbled the kickoff return on their own 13 yard line, which would turn into a quick touchdown by Virgina, but the extra point was blocked by defensive lineman Jatius Geer to limit the damage.

In only a matter of minutes, Virigna made a potential blowout into a nail biter, as Syracuse led 16-13.

Performing When it Matters

The Syracuse Defense would bounce back, keeping Virginia offense quiet for the rest of the quarter, including Andre Szmyt making another field goal to go up 19-13 heading into the fourth quarter.

But Virginia would finally break through in the fourth quarter, as Brennan Armstrong would lead his offense down the field for their second 75-yard drive of the half, ending in a go-ahead touchdown pass on the only fourth down completion of the game by Lavel Davis Jr. to take their first lead of the game 20-19 with under six minutes left..

Garrett Shrader would respond in kind. In a repeat performance of last week’s final drive against Purdue, the offense quickly made their way down the field. Sean Tucker, who had  been quiet for most of the game, would rush for 20 yards bringing the team down to field goal range.

Andre Szmyt would come out for a season-high fifth time of the game, sinking a 31-yard field goal to retake the lead 22-20 with seventy-four seconds left in the game.

The Orange defense would finish off the Cavalier offense on a high note, sealing the win and their second conference win of the season.

Dino Barbers Quote of the Week

“Another nail biter at the end. We’re really fortunate to come out with the win, we’re excited about that. The play was not perfect, that’s for sure. But the record is.”

Injury Update

During the second half, Syracuse’s defensive depth seemingly took a hit with injuries to Terry Lockett and AlijahClark, as they were both helped off the field, both of them favoring their legs. In the post-game press conference, Syracuse head coach Dino Barbers says he is hopeful that Clark will be able to play next game, but no update was given on Lockett’s status.

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

Garrett Shrader had a nice rebound performance. After throwing 13 yards in 29 tries, with 181 passing yards against Purdue last week, he went 22-33 with 277 passing yards, as well as a 17-yard rushing touchdown.

Andre Szmyt would contribute to most of the team’s offense after the first drive. He would nail all five.

Garret Williams was the team’s most clutch member of the defense. He would score the team’s only fumble in the first and a clutch interception in the fourth, both returned for five yards, in addition to blocking and making multiple clutch stops.

“I feel like last week people were kind of doubting me, and I think that was kind of stupid.” Williams said. “I’m just glad I was able to show my abilities today on the highest stage.”

UP NEXT

The Orange face the Wagner Seahawks October 1st at 5:00 at the JMA Wireless Dome

The tone was set on the opening kick.