Syracuse University
1-1 , 0-0
Rutgers
2-0 , 0-0
Orange Fall to Rutgers in Dome Defensive Battle
9/11/2021 5:49:00 PM | Football
The Syracuse defense held Rutgers to just 195 total yards and 17 points, but the Orange offense was held in check and the Scarlet Knights (2-0) handed 'Cuse (1-1) its first defeat on the season.
Syracuse's defense was on full display in the first half, holding the Scarlet Knights to just 56 passing yards and -9 yards rushing. The two teams were deadlocked, 0-0, at the half.Â
Taj Harris led Syracuse with eight receptions for 122 yards in Saturday's home opener.Â
With seven minutes to play in the third quarter, Rutgers took a 7-0 lead after a 11-yard rush by Kyle Monangai. The Orange responded on the following drive with a score of their own, a 24-yard touchdown run by Sean Tucker, to tie the game at 7-7. The score was setup by a 51-yard pass down the sideline from Tommy DeVito to Harris for SU's longest play of the day.
The Scarlet Knights went ahead by a touchdown, 14-7, in the final minute of the third quarter. RU looked to extend the lead at the 10:28 mark in the final frame but a missed field goal put the ball back in Syracuse's possession.Â
A turnover by the Orange deep in their zone set Rutgers up in scoring position and the Scarlet Knights took their largest and final lead of the game, 17-7, with little more than eight minutes to play in regulation.
Mikel Jones had a team-high 11 tackles, including two for loss. The Orange defense limited Rutgers to 3-of-15 on third-down conversion attempts and tallied four sacks.Â
Offensively, Taj Harris extended his streak of consecutive games with a reception to 14, a streak that began on Nov. 23, 2019. Airon Servais also started his 50th-straight game on the offensive line, setting a new program record for total and consecutive starts.
The Orange next play on Saturday, Sept. 18 when they welcome in-state foe UAlbany to the Carrier Dome. Kickoff is slated for Noon on ACCN.
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Team Stats
RUT 7, SYR 0
RUT - Monangai,Kyle 11 yd run (Ambrosio,Valentino kick), 13 plays, 63 yards, TOP 06:15
RUT 7, SYR 7
SYR - Tucker,Sean 24 yd run (Szmyt,Andre kick), 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:52
RUT 14, SYR 7
RUT - Haskins,Jovani 30 yd pass from Vedral,Noah (Ambrosio,Valentino kick) 6 plays, 41 yards, TOP 02:55
RUT 17, SYR 7
RUT - Ambrosio,Valentino 27 yd field goal 4 plays, 1 yards, TOP 02:05
