Orange Open With Loss at #18 North Carolina

Saturday, September 12

Chapel Hill, NC

12 PM

Syracuse University

North Carolina

9/12/2020 4:26:00 PM | Football

Box Score Photo Gallery Dino Babers Press Conference Kingsley Jonathan Press Conference Highlights Photo Gallery

The Syracuse football team opened the 2020 campaign hanging tight in a defensive battle with No. 18 North Carolina on Saturday, before the Tar Heels pulled away in the fourth and won 31-6 in a fan-less Kenan Memorial Stadium due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Syracuse trailed by four at halftime, 7-3, due to a strong defensive effort but the Tar Heels scored touchdowns on three-straight possessions to lead 31-6, a score that would hold until the final whistle.

Redshirt junior quarterback Tommy DeVito completed 13-of-31 passes for 112 yards and ran for 30 yards on six carries. DeVito broke the school record for consecutive passes without an interception, previously set by R.J. Anderson (190 from 2002-03), extending his streak to 201 attempts. His 16 rushing attempts are a career-high.

Wide receiver Taj Harris led Syracuse with five catches totaling 64 yards while Anthony Queely tallied four receptions for 37 yards. His first career reception was a six-yarder from Tommy DeVito.

On the defensive side the Orange forced three Carolina turnovers including a pair of interceptions snagged by linebacker Mikel Jones and defensive back Andre Cisco. It was the first career interception for Jones, who picked off UNC quarterback Sam Howell in the first quarter. Cisco's third-quarter interception was the 13th of his career and put him into fourth-place (tied with Walt Slovenski (1946-48) on the Syracuse all-time list and now leads all active FBS players.

Garrett Williams led 'Cuse with nine total tackles in his first collegiate appearance while Stefon Thompson and Geoff Cantin-Arku each had eight total tackles in their first career starts.

The Orange held North Carolina to 10 points in the first three quarters but four-consecutive scoring drives by the Tar Heels put the game away in the final 18 minutes of action.

Andre Szmyt put the Orange on the board in the second quarter with a 37-yard field goal. His 24-yard field goal with 12:50 to play in the third quarter was the 49th of his career putting him tied for fourth at Syracuse with Nate Trout (1996-99) and Ross Krautman (2010-2013).

Syracuse won the turnover battle (+2) with two interceptions and a fumble recovery. The only Orange turnover came in the fourth quarter by reserve quarterback Rex Culpepper who connected on 3-of-7 passes for 22 yards.

Howell led North Carolina completing 25-of-34 passes for 295 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Running back Michael Carter rushed for 78 yards on seven carries while Javonte Williams had 57 yards on 14 carries with three touchdowns. Dyami Brown caught six passes for 94 yards as the Heels outgained the Orange 463-202.

Saturday marked the start of the 131st football season at Syracuse University. The Orange lost their season opener for the first time in six seasons and faced a league opponent in the opener for the first time since 2005. The Orange are now 84-43-4 in season-opening contests and are 5-1 during head coach Dino Babers' tenure.

Up Next
Continuing a series that has been played annually since 1955, the Orange will face Pittsburgh, its annual cross-division opponent, at noon Saturday, Sept. 19 at Heinz Field on the ACC Network.

Gallery: (9-12-2020) Syracuse at North Carolina