#TBT: Freeney Sets Sacks Record

Syracuse is set to close out the 2015 season on Saturday against Boston College in the Carrier Dome. To gear up for the game, Cuse.com takes a look back at one of most memorable meetings between the two programs, the 2001 regular-season finale.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Defensive end Dwight Freeney broke the BIG EAST single-season sack record as No. 22 Syracuse defeated No. 25 Boston College, 39-28, on Nov. 24, 2001 in the Carrier Dome. It was Syracuse's ninth regular-season win, the seventh time in program history the Orange reached that plateau.

Freeney broke through and sacked BC quarterback Brian St. Pierre for a 5-yard loss in the second quarter, surpassing the previous BIG EAST record of 17 sacks set by Virginia Tech's Corey Moore in 1999. The senior finished the campaign with 17.5 sacks.

Syracuse ran for 322 yards against the Eagles, its second 300-yard rushing effort of the 2001 season. The Orange recorded four rushing touchdowns, which matched its season high.

Running back James Mungro paced the Orange on the ground. On his first carry of the game, Mungro became the sixth player in team history to surpass the 1,000-yard rushing mark in a season. He went on to post his fifth 100-yard game of the year, running for a season-best 184 yards.

Running back Kyle Johnson opened the scoring by capping a 13-play, 80-yard drive with a 6-yard TD run on SU's first possession. The Eagles tied the game on their ensuing series as William Green on a 40-yard run with 6:40 remaining in the first quarter.

Quarterback R.J. Anderson scored Syracuse's second rushing touchdown of the game less than 10 seconds into the second quarter to give the home team a 14-7 lead. Mungro helped set up the score with a 34-yard run down to BC 1-yard line.

Mungro added a 1-yard touchdown run of his own at the 10:23 mark to extend the Orange advantage to 21-7. However, BC answered back with a 62-yard touchdown run by Green.

Anderson connected with Johnson on a 40-yard touchdown pass to close the second-quarter scoring, pushing the SU margin to 28-14 at the half.

In the third quarter, cornerback Andre Brinson blocked a punt in the end zone, which resulted in a Syracuse safety and a 30-14 advantage. For Brinson it was his third blocked punt of the season. Collin Barber added a 22-yard field goal midway through the period to give SU a 33-14 advantage.

The Eagles cut the lead to 33-20 on a 68-yard touchdown reception by Dedrick Dewalt with 5:30 to play in the third. The Eagles decided to go for two, but St. Pierre's pass fell incomplete..

SU responded with a 14-play, 80-yard scoring drive. Mungro capped the drive with his second 1-yard TD run of the game to make the score 39-20 after three quarters.

The Eagles managed the only points of the fourth quarter. Dewalt caught his second touchdown pass of the game with 4:23 remaining. St. Pierre hit Frank Misurelli for the two-point conversion to finish the scoring.

Syracuse finished with 575 yards of offense on 87 plays. The Orange dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 38:57 to 21:03 for Boston College. SU also excelled on third down, converting first down on 10 of its 15 tries.

Anderson was 15-of-20 passing for 247 yards, while St. Pierre was 17-for-28 for 217 yards.

Green rushed for 182 yards for the Eagles and Dewalt tallied a game-high 122 yards on five catches.

Syracuse University Athletics

Related News

Related Videos