Opportunistic Defense Keys Fifth SU Win
10/13/2024 3:35:00 PM | Football
The Syracuse offense has garnered the headlines for much of the first half of the season, and deservedly so, but it was the 'Cuse defense that put the Orange in position to win its second-straight road game at NC State on Saturday night, lifting the program to a 5-1 mark at the midway point of the season.
The 'Cuse defense garnered three takeaways on the 24-17 win at NC State, while the offense protected the football and had no turnovers.
Justin Barron led the way with an interception and a fumble recovery after Derek McDonald stripped Wolfpack QB CJ Bailey. Devin Grant also notched a strip sack, causing a fumble that was recovered by David Omopariola.
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"We finally got a little bit of our complementary football going," said head coach Fran Brown. "I've been talking about that for a while – us getting turnovers and them being able to do those things. I'm happy with the defense, of course [NC State] was able to get some big drives at the end of each half, but I'm happy the defense was able to go get some turnovers. When they did give up a big play, they didn't flinch on the next play. That's a part of the R in our DART – be relentless. I felt our defense was relentless today."
The defense did it without some major contributors as well. Starters Marlowe Wax, Marcellus Barnes, Kevin Jobity and Dion Wilson Jr. were all sidelined on Saturday. It was the fifth-straight game Wax has missed and third in a row for Barnes.
 Of course, when the defense got them the ball, it was the offense who capitalized. Quarterback Kyle McCord continued his torrid start to the season. He completed 74-percent of his passes for 346 yards and two touchdowns.
In the process, he moved into a tie for sixth on Syracuse's single-season passing touchdowns ledger (19). His six 300+ yard passing games also ties Ryan Nassib (2012) for the most in a single season.
The Orange will look for a fourth-straight win on Thursday, Oct. 24, when they travel to No. 20 Pittsburgh. Â
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The 'Cuse defense garnered three takeaways on the 24-17 win at NC State, while the offense protected the football and had no turnovers.
Justin Barron led the way with an interception and a fumble recovery after Derek McDonald stripped Wolfpack QB CJ Bailey. Devin Grant also notched a strip sack, causing a fumble that was recovered by David Omopariola.
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"We finally got a little bit of our complementary football going," said head coach Fran Brown. "I've been talking about that for a while – us getting turnovers and them being able to do those things. I'm happy with the defense, of course [NC State] was able to get some big drives at the end of each half, but I'm happy the defense was able to go get some turnovers. When they did give up a big play, they didn't flinch on the next play. That's a part of the R in our DART – be relentless. I felt our defense was relentless today."
The defense did it without some major contributors as well. Starters Marlowe Wax, Marcellus Barnes, Kevin Jobity and Dion Wilson Jr. were all sidelined on Saturday. It was the fifth-straight game Wax has missed and third in a row for Barnes.
 Of course, when the defense got them the ball, it was the offense who capitalized. Quarterback Kyle McCord continued his torrid start to the season. He completed 74-percent of his passes for 346 yards and two touchdowns.
In the process, he moved into a tie for sixth on Syracuse's single-season passing touchdowns ledger (19). His six 300+ yard passing games also ties Ryan Nassib (2012) for the most in a single season.
The Orange will look for a fourth-straight win on Thursday, Oct. 24, when they travel to No. 20 Pittsburgh. Â
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