This Day in Dome History: November 9

In the only athletic contest played in the Dome on this date in the 25-year history of the building, a 25-yard run on the first play of Syracuse’s third overtime possession by Damien Rhodes gave the Orange a 50-42 victory versus #8/7 Virginia Tech in front of 48,239 fans on November 9, 2002.

The Hokies took a 42-35 lead in the second overtime on a one-yard rush by Bryan Randall. SU forced a third overtime when Troy Nunes found Joe Donnelly from six yards out on fourth down. After intercepting Nunes on SU’s initial overtime possession, the Hokies ran the ball three straight times to set up a field goal, but Carter Warley’s 36-yard attempt missed.

Safety Maurice McClain intercepted Randall’s pass in the endzone on the Hokies’ third overtime possession to clinch the victory.

Nunes was 26-of-40 for 403 yards, the second-best passing yardage in school history. Nunes and receiver David Tyree connected on three plays of 50-or-more yards. Tyree had nine catches for 229 yards. It was the second-highest receiving yardage total in SU history, and just the third 200-yard receiving game in Orange history.

Walter Reyes ran for three touchdowns for the second straight game. Reyes gained 118 yards on 21 carries for his third consecutive 100-yard game.

The SU defense held Virginia Tech to a season-low 55 yards rushing on 25 carries. The Orange forced five turnovers on the day, including three interceptions.

More than 23.5 million people have passed through the revolving doors of the Carrier Dome since the building’s first public event on September 20, 1980. Throughout the 2005-06 SU athletics seasons the University will celebrate the first 25 years of the Loud House.

In the first 25 years of the Dome, more than 1,740 events were staged, including collegiate, professional and high school athletics events, University commencement, concerts, a circus, and community events. These activities are chronicled in the more than 100 photographs that are currently in the concourse of the Dome. Fans who attend events in the Dome can re-live the memories with these photos.

Syracuse University Athletics

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