Wake Forest Downs Orange, 28-9

Saturday, October 8

Winston-Salem, NC

7 pm

Syracuse University

2-4 , 0-2

Wake Forest

5-1 , 2-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Syracuse

Wake Forest

10/8/2016 6:38:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Parris Bennett tallies 12 tackles and a forced fumble in loss

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest (5-1, 2-1 ACC) ended Syracuse's four-game series winning streak with a 28-9 victory over the Orange (2-4, 0-2 ACC) at a soggy BB&T Field Saturday, Oct. 8. The remnants of Hurricane Matthew resulted in a steady downpour for most of the game that prevented either team from finding an offensive rhythm.

The Orange were held to a season-low 326 yards of total offense on 66 plays. Quarterback Eric Dungey was 16-of-25 passing for 156 yards and one interception. Steve Ishmael led all Syracuse receivers with five receptions for 56 yards. Dontae Strickland paced the SU ground attack with 74 yards on 13 carries and one touchdown.

Strickland scored the lone Orange touchdown in the second quarter on a 1-yard run.

For the third straight game, linebacker Parris Bennett was consistently around the football. The Detroit, Mich. native led the Orange defense with 12 tackles, including 1.5 for a loss, to post his third consecutive double-digit tackle game. In addition, Syracuse forced two Wake Forest turnovers (1 INT, 1 fumble recovery), but was unable to turn them into points.

It was the defense that got Syracuse on the scoreboard first, recording a safety on Wake's first possession of the game. An errant snap on fourth down sent the ball over punter Dom Maggio's head and eventually into the end zone. A scramble ensued and the Deacons were able to recover to prevent the touchdown, but SU came away with two early points less than four minutes into the game.

Following the safety, the teams exchanged scoreless drives until Wake quarterback John Wolford capped a nine-play, 79-yard march with a 7-yard touchdown run at the 11:07 mark of the second quarter. Mike Weaver's extra-point gave the hosts a 7-2 advantage.

Later in the stanza, junior linebacker Zaire Franklin sacked Wolford on third down for a loss of six yards, forcing another Maggio punt. The Orange took over at their own 41-yard line with 8:08 left in the half. Behind a ground game that churned out 48 of the 59 yards during the series, Syracuse regained the lead when Strickland powered into the end zone from a yard out. Cole Murphy added the PAT to make the score 9-7 Orange with 4:46 remaining before halftime.

On the ensuing Wake Forest possession, Wolford answered Strickland's score with his second touchdown run of the night. The Deacons chipped away at the Syracuse defense with short throws, and a pass interference penalty against Jonathan Thomas moved the ball into Orange territory. Wolford kept it on the next play and ran 37 yards to paydirt. Weaver's extra point pushed the Wake Forest lead to 14-9.

Syracuse had an opportunity to take the lead or at the very least cut into the deficit late in the half, but Dungey's pass to Ishmael was intercepted in the end zone by Amari Henderson with one second left and the score remained 14-9 Deacons at the break.

Neither team could get much going after the intermission as the two sides combined for nine punts and one interception on the first 10 possessions of the second half.

It wasn't until late in the fourth quarter that the Deacons tallied a pair of touchdowns to put the game out of reach. Cade Carney scored on a 3-yard run with 3:59 to go in regulation. On the ensuing possession, Syracuse drove to the Wake Forest 27-yard line before Cameron Glenn recovered a fumble by Jordan Fredericks and returned it 83 yards for a score with 1:30 to play.

Wolford finished 13-of-22 passing for 140 yards and one interception. He also rushed 12 times for 94 yards and two scores. Wake tight end Cam Serigne led all receivers with a game-high 68 yards on four catches. Carney eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark with 104 yards on 29 carries.

Wake Forest recorded five sacks in the game and also forced two Orange turnovers. Marquel Lee paced the Deacons with 15 tackles, including 5.5 for a loss, and two sacks.

After three games away from the Carrier Dome, Syracuse returns to the Loud House Saturday, Oct. 15 for a date with Virginia Tech. Kickoff between the Orange and Hokies is set for 3:45 p.m. on ESPNU.

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