Bulls Beat Orange in Shootout, 45-24

Saturday, October 10

Tampa, FL

3:30 pm

Syracuse University

3-2

USF

2-3

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Syracuse	0	3	14	7	24
USF	0	10	21	14	45

10/10/2015 7:27:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Dungey throws for career-high 232 yards in return

TAMPA, Fla. – The Syracuse University football team (3-2) lost its first road game of the season against USF (2-3) at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10. The Orange put together a second-half comeback, but it was not enough as the Bulls recorded a 45-24 victory to end SU's two-game road winning streak in the series.

Playing away from the Carrier Dome for the first time in 2015, the Orange got off to a slow start, but held USF to 10 points in the first half and trailed 10-3 at the break. Both offenses found their rhythms in the second half with the Bulls outscoring SU 35-21 over the final two quarters to prevail.

Freshman quarterback Eric Dungey returned from injury and threw for a career-high 232 yards. Dungey accounted for all three Orange touchdowns, passing for two and scoring another on a 7-yard run. He was also the team's leading rusher with 31 yards on 17 carries.

Sophomore hybrid back Ervin Philips also rejoined the Syracuse lineup. Philips led the Orange receiving corps by setting personal bests for both receptions (5) and yards (75).

USF running back Marlon Mack and quarterback Quinton Flowers keyed the Bulls' offensive surge. Mack rushed for 184 yards and a pair of touchdowns (25 yards, 45 yards). Flowers threw for 259 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 55 yards on the ground, including a 2-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

After a scoreless first 15 minutes, the Bulls went 79 yards on 11 plays to open the scoring. Darius Rice capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge, staking the home team a 7-0 lead 45 seconds into the second quarter.

The two sides traded field goals late in the second quarter to round out the first-half scoring. SU's Cole Muphy converted a 30-yard try to cap a 16-play drive with 3:45 left before intermission, and the Bulls took advantage of a fortunate bounce on an Orange punt shortly thereafter. Matti Ciabatti's kick hit Kielan Whitner and USF's Devin Abraham recovered at the SU 25. The Orange defense kept the Bulls out of the end zone, as head coach Willie Taggart's bunch settled for a 21-yard Emili Nadelman field goal as time expired.

The pace quickened drastically in the second half. The Bulls went up 17-3 after a 25-yard touchdown run by Marlon Mack on their first possession of the third quarter. A 42-yard reverse flea-flicker pas from Flowers to Ryshen Bronson on their next offensive series put the Bulls in front, 24-3.

Just like USF, the Orange proved it could score quickly. Syracuse tallied two touchdowns in the span of 1:53 to slice the lead to 24-17. Dungey rolled left and threw back to Jordan Fredericks, who juked two defenders and spun past another, for a 30-yard touchdown with 7:34 remaining in the third frame. After Marqez Hodge pounced on a Flowers fumble, Dungey took it into the end zone himself from seven yards out at the 5:41 mark.

The scoring barrage continued as Mack broke off a 45-yard touchdown run and Dungey delivered a 7-yard scoring strike to Ishmael to make it 31-24 with 14:54 to play.

Needing a touchdown and extra point to tie the score, Syracuse could not muster a stop on USF's next series. The Bulls converted three third downs during a 14-play, 82-yard march that ended in a 2-yard touchdown run by Flowers. The final conversion came on third-and-10 from the SU 34. Flowers' pass sailed out of bounds, but the Orange was whistled for a personal foul that kept the drive alive.

The USF defense forced turnovers on Syracuse's next two possessions, and a 14-yard TD pass from Flowers to Rodney Adams with 7:30 to play closed the scoring.

Antwan Cordy was SU's leading tackler for the second game in a row. He made seven stops (all solo). Auggie Sanchez paced the USF defens with a game-high 10 tackles.

Syracuse resumes Atlantic Coast Conference play on Saturday, Oct. 17 when it plays at Virginia for the first time since 2004. Kickoff between the Orange and Cavaliers is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Scott Stadium. The game will be broadcast on RSN.

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.