#CuseTop10: Sean Riley Blocks Punt Against NC State
12/22/2016 9:45:00 AM | Football
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – As 2016 draws to a close, Cuse.com is counting down the top 10 plays from this year's Orange football season. One play will be featured each day with the top play revealed on New Year's Eve.
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Play No. 10 on our countdown is freshman Sean Riley's blocked punt against NC State on Nov. 12.
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THE SETUP: Quarterback Zack Mahoney hooked up with Amba Etta-Tawo for an 81-yard touchdown that cut the Orange deficit to 21-17 early in the third quarter. After the touchdown, NC State took possession on its own 26-yard line. Three plays, including two incompletions by Ryan Finley, resulted in just four yards. Facing fourth down on his own 30-yard line, NC State head coach Dave Doeren trotted out punter A.J. Cole to kick the ball away.
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THE PLAY:Â Rushing from the left side, Riley used his speed and quickness to get around the Wolfpack punt shield and block the kick. The ball bounced high in the air and Orange linebacker Ted Taylor recovered it at the NC State 17.
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THE AFTERMATH: Riley's blocked punt was the first for the Orange since the Tulane game in 2013 when Darius Kelly and Eric Crume each got their hands on separate Green Wave kicks. The play gave Syracuse good field position, which they converted into three points on Cole Murphy's 39-yard field goal with 10:29 remaining in the third quarter. Murphy's kick trimmed the NC State lead to 21-20, but the Wolfpack tallied the last 14 points of the game to emerge with a 35-20 victory.
#CuseTop10
No. 10 – Sean Riley's blocked punt vs. NC State | Watch
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.
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Play No. 10 on our countdown is freshman Sean Riley's blocked punt against NC State on Nov. 12.
Â
THE SETUP: Quarterback Zack Mahoney hooked up with Amba Etta-Tawo for an 81-yard touchdown that cut the Orange deficit to 21-17 early in the third quarter. After the touchdown, NC State took possession on its own 26-yard line. Three plays, including two incompletions by Ryan Finley, resulted in just four yards. Facing fourth down on his own 30-yard line, NC State head coach Dave Doeren trotted out punter A.J. Cole to kick the ball away.
Â
THE PLAY:Â Rushing from the left side, Riley used his speed and quickness to get around the Wolfpack punt shield and block the kick. The ball bounced high in the air and Orange linebacker Ted Taylor recovered it at the NC State 17.
Â
THE AFTERMATH: Riley's blocked punt was the first for the Orange since the Tulane game in 2013 when Darius Kelly and Eric Crume each got their hands on separate Green Wave kicks. The play gave Syracuse good field position, which they converted into three points on Cole Murphy's 39-yard field goal with 10:29 remaining in the third quarter. Murphy's kick trimmed the NC State lead to 21-20, but the Wolfpack tallied the last 14 points of the game to emerge with a 35-20 victory.
#CuseTop10
No. 10 – Sean Riley's blocked punt vs. NC State | Watch
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.
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