#CuseTop10: Razzle-Dazzle vs. Virginia Tech
12/31/2016 8:00:00 AM | Football
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – As we say goodbye to 2016 and get set to ring in the New Year, it's time to reveal the top play on our countdown of the 10 best plays from this year's Orange football season.
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Play No. 1 is Dontae Strickland's 84-yard touchdown pass to Brisly Estime on Oct. 15 against No. 17 Virginia Tech.
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THE SETUP: Installed as heavy underdogs, head coach Dino Babers and the Orange had nothing to lose against the Hokies. Babers masterfully picked his spots to be aggressive and one of those opportunities presented itself on the first play of the second quarter. The Orange led 7-3 and had just taken possession on its own 11 after a 30-yard punt by Virginia Tech. On first down, Eric Dungey connected with Estime for a 5-yard gain out to the 16-yard line. After the completion, the horn sounded to end the first period.
THE PLAY: The Orange trotted out for the start of the second quarter with Strickland lined up at tailback behind Dungey. Dungey takes the snap and runs to the right in an option look before shoveling the ball to Strickland. The sophomore running back pulls up, and with the defense biting hard on the run action, lofts a bomb to Estime who had slipped behind the defense. Estime makes the catch easily and takes it the rest of the way for the touchdown.
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THE AFTERMATH: The play was the longest of the year for the Orange and it gave SU a 14-3 advantage in a game it would eventually win 31-17. For Estime, it was the second touchdown reception of his career that covered at least 80 yards. He is the only player in school history with multiple TD receptions of 80 yards or more. The throw was the second of Strickland's career and his first completion. Strickland also had a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to help put the game away.
#CuseTop10
No. 10 – Sean Riley's blocked punt vs. NC State | Watch
No. 9 – Ervin Philips' diving TD reception vs. USF | Watch
No. 8 – De'Jon Wilson's fumble recovery vs. Virginia Tech | Watch
No. 7 – Moe Neal's 49-yard TD run vs. Colgate | Watch
No. 6 – Amba Etta-Tawo's 68-yard TD reception at Boston College | Watch
No. 5 – Cordell Hudson's pick-six & Zaire Franklin's fourth-down stop at UConn | Watch
No. 4 – Steve Ishmael's 11-yard TD reception at Boston College | Watch
No. 3 – Hail Mary from Zack Mahoney to Amba Etta-Tawo vs. Florida State | Watch
No. 2 – Amba Etta-Tawo's school-record fifth TD reception at Pittsburgh | Watch
No. 1 – Dontae Strickland's 84-yard TD pass to Brisly Estime vs. Virginia Tech | 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. Â
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Play No. 1 is Dontae Strickland's 84-yard touchdown pass to Brisly Estime on Oct. 15 against No. 17 Virginia Tech.
Â
THE SETUP: Installed as heavy underdogs, head coach Dino Babers and the Orange had nothing to lose against the Hokies. Babers masterfully picked his spots to be aggressive and one of those opportunities presented itself on the first play of the second quarter. The Orange led 7-3 and had just taken possession on its own 11 after a 30-yard punt by Virginia Tech. On first down, Eric Dungey connected with Estime for a 5-yard gain out to the 16-yard line. After the completion, the horn sounded to end the first period.
THE PLAY: The Orange trotted out for the start of the second quarter with Strickland lined up at tailback behind Dungey. Dungey takes the snap and runs to the right in an option look before shoveling the ball to Strickland. The sophomore running back pulls up, and with the defense biting hard on the run action, lofts a bomb to Estime who had slipped behind the defense. Estime makes the catch easily and takes it the rest of the way for the touchdown.
Â
THE AFTERMATH: The play was the longest of the year for the Orange and it gave SU a 14-3 advantage in a game it would eventually win 31-17. For Estime, it was the second touchdown reception of his career that covered at least 80 yards. He is the only player in school history with multiple TD receptions of 80 yards or more. The throw was the second of Strickland's career and his first completion. Strickland also had a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to help put the game away.
#CuseTop10
No. 10 – Sean Riley's blocked punt vs. NC State | Watch
No. 9 – Ervin Philips' diving TD reception vs. USF | Watch
No. 8 – De'Jon Wilson's fumble recovery vs. Virginia Tech | Watch
No. 7 – Moe Neal's 49-yard TD run vs. Colgate | Watch
No. 6 – Amba Etta-Tawo's 68-yard TD reception at Boston College | Watch
No. 5 – Cordell Hudson's pick-six & Zaire Franklin's fourth-down stop at UConn | Watch
No. 4 – Steve Ishmael's 11-yard TD reception at Boston College | Watch
No. 3 – Hail Mary from Zack Mahoney to Amba Etta-Tawo vs. Florida State | Watch
No. 2 – Amba Etta-Tawo's school-record fifth TD reception at Pittsburgh | Watch
No. 1 – Dontae Strickland's 84-yard TD pass to Brisly Estime vs. Virginia Tech | 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. Â
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