It took 12 years, but @CuseFootball has finally won road games in consecutive weeks with a 24-17 victory over @PackFootball.@AndrewSelover and @TylerJAitken had the call from Raleigh. pic.twitter.com/R0STWRmLTl
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) October 13, 2024
After a slow start on offense from both teams, Syracuse led NC State 10-7 with 10 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter. The Wolfpack drove up the field and had the ball at the Orange 21 yard line. It looked as if they were about to take the lead. However, Devin Grant took things into his own hands and forced a big time strip sack to end the danger.
SU hadn’t forced a single fumble this season before the game, but that was the second of the day.
With NC State deep in @CuseFootball territory, the Orange got a big defensive play.@AndrewSelover was on the mic for SU defensive back Devin Grant's strip sack.@waer883, 📻 https://t.co/BG0Q3sGq3P pic.twitter.com/fo43Sac1vN
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) October 13, 2024
After that turnover, Syracuse (5-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) sailed to victory 24-17 over NC State (3-4, 0-3 Atlantic Coast Conference). It wasn’t a perfect game from the Orange, but Kyle McCord continued to shine. The QB threw for over 300 yards for his sixth straight game. The win also marked back-to-back road victories for the Cuse for the first time in 12 years.
Just thankful that we’ve been able to start off pretty good,” Syracuse coach Fran Brown said. “I thought we gave up too many big plays, but we were able to complement each other… I’m just happy for Syracuse University right now.”
The first quarter and even the whole first half was slow. Syracuse had the ball in the redzone its first 3 drives, but only managed to get one field goal. The other two drives ended up being a turnover on downs and a missed field goal from kicker Jadyn Oh.
However, on the fourth drive of the game the Orange finally got in the endzone. Wideout Umari Hatcher grabbed his 3rd touchdown of the season on a nice grab.
Except shortly after that NC State drove down the field in just two minutes all the way to the Syracuse redzone. The Wolfpack attempted a field goal on 4th and 2 with under a minute left in the half but the Orange committed an illegal formation penalty that gave the Pack the first down. Just 18 seconds later NC State found the endzone on a 14 yard pass to Justin Joly to wrap up the first half.
The second half started shaky until Devin Grant forced a fumble that sent the 'Cuse into attack mode. On the drive just after McCord and Jackson Meeks connected three times. Meeks had 11 receptions on the night. That set up LeQuint Allen to bag his team leading seventh touchdown of the season.
After exploding for four touchdowns last week, @CuseFootball running back LeQuint Allen picked up right where he left off.@AndrewSelover was on the call for junior's team-leading seventh touchdown of the season.@waer883, 📻https://t.co/BG0Q3sGq3P pic.twitter.com/R0fdFaJ6i0
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) October 13, 2024
At 17-7, the game was far from over, but the next drive Orange DB Justin Barron forced an interception as NC State was knocking on the door again.
“It’s exciting. We’ve been preaching it all season, and we really focused in on it and were able to get the ball,” Barron said. “It’s something that you really see on film, just the way the ball carriers carry the ball. They were carrying it really loose.”
The next drive defined the game for the 'Cuse. Syracuse went all the way down the field, but were forced into 4th and goal. Everything on the line in a 17-7 game, Fran Brown made the gutsy decision to go for it. And boy did it pay off. Jackson Meeks came up with a massive touchdown that put the Orange up 17 points.
Early in the final frame, @CuseFootball gambled on a 4th and goal and was rewarded with a three-score lead.@TylerJAitken had the call for SU wideout Jackson Meeks's pivotal touchdown grab. @waer883, 📻https://t.co/BG0Q3sGq3P pic.twitter.com/okn3Oy4UGS
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) October 13, 2024
The excitement quickly came to a halt though as NC State answered with a 75 yard touchdown on the next drive. Other than a late field goal from the Wolfpack though the Orange had no trouble holding onto the lead. The 'Cuse picked up its second ACC win of the season.
Syracuse has some time to relax on a bye week before it continues the ACC slate against No. 22 Pittsburgh on October 24th. Game time is set for 7:30, but WAER will get you covered for Countdown to Kickoff at 7.