Orange Tops Chippewas In Overtime

Saturday, September 19

Syracuse, NY

12:30 pm

Syracuse University

3-0

Central Michigan

1-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Central Michigan

Syracuse

Photo by: Charles Wainwright

9/19/2015 3:40:00 PM | Football

Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Freshman Jordan Fredericks scored on a 4-yard touchdown run in overtime to give the Syracuse football team its first 3-0 start since 1991 and a 30-27 victory against Central Michigan (1-2) at the Carrier Dome on Saturday, Sept. 19. The Orange improved to 9-6 all-time in overtime games and is 3-0 against the Chippewas, including a 2-0 record at home.

Central Michigan scored the first points of overtime on a 20-yard field goal by kicker Brian Eavey after defensive end Ron Thompson made a key stop for the Orange on third-and-goal at the 1-yard line. With SU trailing 27-24, quarterback Zack Mahoney's 13-yard pass to Kendall Moore on third down kept the Orange's OT drive alive, setting up Fredericks' scoring run two plays later.

"At the end of the day, I am proud to say that we are 3-0 for the first time in 24 years," head coach Scott Shafer said. "Our kids found a way. I couldn't be any more proud of Zack Mahoney and I think Coach (Tim) Lester and the offensive staff did a nice job of preparing our kids to be ready."

The Orange offense scored 24 points in the first 30 minutes, but was held scoreless in the second half after freshman quarterback Eric Dungey, who had both a rushing and passing touchdown, exited the game with an upper-body injury.

Dungey was 3-of-6 passing for 93 yards and ran for a career-high 50 yards before leaving the game after being hit high by CMU's Mitch Stanitzek in the second quarter. Sophomore Austin Wilson and Mahoney split time under center after Dungey went out, combining to go 8-of-11 passing for 68 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Jamal Custis late in the first half. Mahoney took the snaps for Syracuse in overtime.

Defensively,the Orange came through when it needed to, recording two fourth-quarter takeaways and holding the Chippewas to a field goal on their OT possession. Sophomore linebacker Zaire Franklin created one of those turnovers, intercepting the first pass of his career to halt a potential scoring drive. Parris Bennett thwarted another when he pounced on a fumble caused by Thompson in the first minute of the fourth frame.

Bennett finished with a career-high 10 tackles (nine solo). Thompson and classmate Luke Arciniega both had five tackles and two sacks. Thompson was credited with a career-best three tackles for loss and forced two Central Michigan fumbles.

"I thought they did a good job with some things, hanging in there and continuing to fight," Shafer of said of his defense. "I thought Zaire, his interception, and Parris Bennett's fumble recovery, two kids that will be around here for three more seasons."

The Chippewas opened the scoring at the 8:38 mark in the first quarter, as Eavey kicked a 34-yard field goal that resulted in a 3-0 lead. Syracuse answered with 17 straight points, starting on the following drive. Dungey picked up eight yards on an option play before lateralling to Fredericks who gained 36 more yards to setup a 21-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Cole Murphy with 4:22 to go in the first quarter.

Dungey triggered another long play on SU's next series, hitting Steve Ishmael on a play-action pass for 62 yards down to the Central Michigan 4-yard line. Dungey kept the ball in his hands on the next play, running up the gut to give Syracuse a 10-3 advantage with 41 seconds left in the opening period.

Freshman Dontae Stickland extended the lead to 14 with 9:20 to play in the second quarter, catching a pass from Dungey near the sideline and swerving around several Central Michigan defenders for a 25-yard touchdown. Stanitzek delivered a late hit on Dungey after he released the pass and was ejected for targeting. Dungey did not return for the remainder of the game.

Central Michigan ended its scoring drought midway through the second quarter, driving the ball 75 yards on nine plays. Joe Bacci capped the drive on fourth-and-one near the Syracuse goal line with a 2-yard touchdown reception at the 5:57 mark to pull the Chippewas within a score, 17-10.

Following Bacci's score, the teams traded possessions until Custis put the Orange back up 14 heading into halftime by catching the first touchdown pass of his career in style. Custis made a leaping, one-handed grab off a pass from Wilson to extend the SU margin to 24-10 with 1:11 remaining in the opening half.

In the third quarter, the Chippewas marched 94 yards on their first second-half series, and Devon Spalding capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to make the score 24-17.

The Orange and Chippewas exchanged possessions throughout the rest of the second half until CMU quarterback Cooper Rush tied the game on a 27-yard touchdown pass to Ben McCord with seven seconds left, setting the stage for overtime.

Fredericks led the Orange ground game with 11 carries for 73 yards (6.6 avg.). Overall, Syracuse outrushed the Chippewas in the game, 165-90.

Senior punter Riley Dixon was one of many unsung heroes in the victory. Dixon kicked five times, averaging 50.4 yards per punt and pinning the Chippewas inside their 20 three times. Three of his kicks traveled at least 50 yards and none were returned. Dixon's performance, especially in the second half, was critical in determining field position.

Rush had a big day, completing 37-of-51 passes for 430 yards and two touchdowns. McCord and Spaulding both went over the century mark in receiving yards for the Chippewas. McCord made 10 catches for a game-high 147 yards and a touchdown. Spalding caught 10 balls for 102 yards. Spaulding also led the CMU rushing attack, gaining 83 yards on 21 carries.

Syracuse wraps up a four-game Carrier Dome homestand against No. 13 LSU on Saturday, Sept. 26. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. The game will be presented by Tops Friendly Markets and air live on either ABC or ESPN.

Tickets are available online, by phone (1-888-DOMETIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B). In addition, discounted group tickets (20 or more) can be purchased by calling 315-443-3212.

For complete coverage of Syracuse and Syracuse football, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange& Syracuse Football), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and watch exclusive video content on Cuse TV.