Justus Ross-Simmons had not caught a pass all season for Syracuse through halftime of game eight against Virginia Tech. The Colorado State transfer wide receiver averaged over 60 yards per game with the Rams in 2023. Saturday, Ross-Simmons provided the jumpstart that Syracuse needed in a 38-31 overtime win over Virginia Tech.
For the fifth time in an Orange jersey, Ross-Simmons took the field on Saturday against the Hokies. The junior has battled a hamstring injury since fall camp. With over half the third quarter time elapsed, Syracuse trailed Virginia Tech 21-3. The Orange offense had turned the ball over twice and was yet to find the endzone. Ross-Simmons turned his first reception from Kyle McCord into a game changing highlight. On a five-yard comeback route at midfield, Ross-Simmons broke one tackle and put everyone else in the rearview mirror.
Wideout Justus Ross-Simmons' first reception for @CuseFootball is a big one.@IanNicholasTV narrated the Colorado State transfer's electric catch-and-run.@waer883,📻https://t.co/BG0Q3sGXTn pic.twitter.com/07l2pPOR2K
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) November 2, 2024
“When I was on the sideline, Coach Ross (Douglas) said, ‘J-Ross, I need you to make a play,’” said Ross-Simmons. “’I said, ‘I got you.’ Went in and that’s exactly what I did.”
After LeQuint Allen scored on the next Syracuse drive, Duce Chestnut forced a Virginia Tech fumble to end the third quarter. Marlowe Wax, in his second game back from injury, recovered it in plus territory for the Orange. Five plays later, Ross-Simmons split the seams for a 28-yard score to give Syracuse its first lead of the game. Three straight touchdowns and two from Ross-Simmons put the Orange up 24-21.
After no scores in his first four games with @CuseFootball, wideout Justus Ross-Simmons has found his groove. @AndrewSelover detailed the junior's second house call of the day. @waer883,📻https://t.co/BG0Q3sGq3P pic.twitter.com/HR6qSvcBut
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) November 2, 2024
The Hokies pieced together back-to-back scoring drives plus a defensive stop, though. A touchdown and a field goal put the Orange back down a touchdown with five minutes of regulation to play.
Kyle McCord and company pieced together a 14-play touchdown drive, but Allen was the real motor down the stretch for the offense. The Syracuse running back got the ball on half the plays on the final drive of regulation for the ‘Cuse, including from a yard out to flip into the endzone. When Virginia Tech elected to take the game into overtime by running out the final half minute, there was no question where the ball was going for Syracuse. The Hokies won the toss, Syracuse would go on offense first, and it was Allen time.
“We had to get back to the basics, get back to who we are and honestly get the best football player the ball,” said Syracuse head coach Fran Brown. “When you’re able to give LeQuint Allen the football, he was able to make plays.”
Allen needed just two plays, one reception and one carry, to find the endzone in overtime. The score capped off a three touchdown and 121-yard rushing day for Allen, his first 100-plus yard day on the ground this season.
After recovering a fumble in regulation, Wax forced a fumble on Virginia Tech’s drive in overtime to end the game. Syracuse claimed a second overtime victory this season with the 38-31 win over Virginia Tech, and the Orange clinched bowl eligibility with the win too.