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Syracuse Clinches Bowl Game

Cuse.com

For the second year in a row, the Syracuse Orange have upset a ranked team on Family Weekend. The Orange took down the twenty-second best team in the nation, the North Carolina Wolfpack, with a score of 51-41.

After a controversial switch at quarterback last week, Dino Babers started Eric Dungey this week. When Tommy DeVito took over for Dungey last week against the University of North Carolina, Syracuse fans knew they had a good problem on their hands, two very good starting quarterbacks.

This was not the usual run attack from Dungey. Dungey passed for over 400 yards this game with two receivers, Sean Riley and Nykeim Johnson, who had over 100 yards receiving each. The Orange had four receivers that had more than 80 yards receiving this game.

At this point in the season, Syracuse has qualified for a bowl game with their sixth win of the season. This is the first time in the Dino Babers era that Syracuse has qualified for a bowl game. Syracuse has not played in a bowl game since 2013.

In recent games, Syracuse has had a problem stopping the run. However, the linebackers and defensive line were able to improve this week and only held Reggie Gallapsy II to 65 yards on the ground.

The deep ball was prominent in this game. Ryan Finley threw for a 67-yard pass in the first quarter. North Carolina State was ahead early 7-3. Syracuse was able to respond with a deep pass of their own the next drive. Dungey connected to Johnson for an 82-yard touchdown that put Syracuse on top 10-7. Syracuse went on to score two more touchdowns in the first quarter, which put them ahead 24-7.

In the second quarter, Syracuse only scored a field goal, as NC State began to make a comeback. Kelvin Harmon, the star wide receiver, scored a 74-yard touchdown. Harmon had nearly 300 receiving yards tonight against the Orange. By halftime Syracuse was ahead 27-20.

Syracuse was able to capitalize in the second half by scoring first. This extended their lead to 34-20. Taj Harris was able to extend the lead to 41-27 in the third quarter, which was the longest lead the Orange had in the second half.

NC State was able to march down the field on several drives and brought the score to 44-41 in favor of the Orange. Finley and the Wolfpack had a little over a minute to march down the field, and score to take the lead. However, Andrew Armstrong intercepted Finley, and Syracuse had the ball at North Carolina’s 21-yard line. Syracuse then had a short touchdown run from Dontae Strickland, which sealed the deal.

Syracuse will play on the road next week against Wake Forest. As always, tune in to WAER for kickoff at noon on Saturday.