Syracuse Loses at NC State, 42-29

Saturday, November 21

Raleigh, NC

12:30 pm

Syracuse University

3-8 , 1-6

NC State

7-4 , 3-4

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Syracuse

NC State

11/21/2015 4:00:00 PM | Football

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. – Quarterback Zack Mahoney and running back Jordan Fredericks accounted for three of the Orange's four touchdowns in a 42-29 loss to NC State (7-4, 3-4 ACC) at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 21. Mahoney threw a pair of TD passes and Fredericks broke off a 75-yard scoring run to provide most of Syracuse's points.

Mahoney, making his second straight start in place of Eric Dungey, finished 10-for-21 passing for 152 yards. Sophomore Steve Ishmael and junior Ben Lewis were Mahoney's favorite targets, combining for seven receptions and 102 yards. Ishmael led the Orange (3-8, 1-6 ACC) with four receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown. Lewis totaled three catches for a career-high 62 yards.

Fredericks paced SU on the ground with 86 yards on seven carries to move past Dee Brown for fourth on the school's freshman rushing list with 559 yards. His 75-yard dash to the end zone was the longest run by an Orange player this season.

Sophomore Antwan Cordy posted a career-high nine tackles, including 1.0 for a loss, and an interception to lead the SU defense.

The Wolfpack scored touchdowns on its first two drives of the game to claim a 14-3 lead after the opening quarter. NC State quarterback Jacoby Brissett hit Jaylen Samuels for a 7-yard TD to open the scoring, and Reggie Gallaspy ran for a 1-yard touchdown, sandwiched around an 18-yard field goal by SU kicker Cole Murphy.

Late in the second quarter, Nyheim Hines stretched the Wolpack lead to 21-3 by capping a 14-play, 87-yard drive with a 4-yard TD run. However, Syracuse answered, going 70 yards in four plays for its first touchdown of the game. Mahoney finished the march by finding Ervin Philips in the end zone from 30 yards out. The Orange elected to go for two, but Mahoney's pass fell incomplete and the score remained 21-9.

Syracuse trimmed the lead to five on the first play of the second half. Fredericks took a handoff from Mahoney and raced 75 yards up the middle to close the gap to 21-16 following Murphy's point after.

NC State pushed the margin back to 12 on its ensuing possession. Brissett hit David Grinnage for an 11-yard gain on fourth-and-7 to keep the drive alive, the Wolfpack's third fourth-down conversion of the game. NC State capitalized two plays later when Brissett hooked up with Jumichael Ramos for a 5-yard touchdown.

The Wolfpack began to pull away later in the third. Darian Roseboro intercepted Mahoney and returned the pick 20 yards for a touchdown with 5:20 left in the period. NC State added another score less than three minutes into the fourth quarter when Dakwa Nichols ran it in from 17 yards out to make the score 42-16.

The Orange registered two late touchdowns to close the scoring. Senior linebacker Oliver Vigille returned an NC State fumble 29 yards for a score and SU recovered the ensuing onside kick, which led to a 3-yard touchdown pass from Mahoney to Ishmael with 2:37 to play. SU tried another onside kick after Ishmael's touchdown, but it was recovered by the Wolfpack and the hosts ran out the clock for their second staight win over the Orange.

The Wolfpack rushed for 276 yards and had three players with at least 70 yards on the ground. Gallaspy led the way with 81 yards on 13 carries. Nichols finished with 78 yards on 12 attempts, and Hines had 70 yards on six carries.

Brissett was 21-for-33 passing for 235 yards and two touchdowns against one interception. Ramos led the NC State receiving corps with eight receptions for 83 yards and one score.

Syracuse returns home to the Carrier Dome on Saturday, Nov. 28 to take on Boston College in the season finale for both teams. It's Senior Day and the 2015 Orange senior class will be recognized in a brief ceremony before the game. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats 30 minutes before kickoff to recognize the group's contributions to the program. It's also First Responders' Day, honoring local emergency service personnel.

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.

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