Orange Complete Comeback, Take Down Hokies in OT

Saturday, November 2

Syracuse, N.Y.

12 PM

Syracuse University

Virginia Tech

Orange Complete Comeback, Take Down Hokies in OT

11/2/2024 3:48:00 PM | Football

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The Syracuse football team scored 21-straight points in the third quarter to overcome an 18-point deficit and force overtime, before beating Virginia Tech, 38-31, on Saturday at the JMA Wireless Dome. The win marks the first time the Orange have won multiple overtime games in a season since the 2011 campaign.

The win secures bowl eligibility in a third-straight season. The first time 'Cuse (6-2, 3-2 ACC) has played in three-or-more consecutive bowl games since the 1995-1999 seasons.

The Orange trailed 21-3 with under 18-minutes remaining in regulation, surging to take the lead behind three-straight scoring drives. The Orange managed to score a touchdown on five of their final six possessions in the contest, including overtime, to secure the win. LeQuint Allen Jr. plunged for a one-yard touchdown with 29-seconds left in regulation to finally knot the game and force overtime. In the first extra session, Allen ran in from nine-yards out - his third rushing score to give 'Cuse the lead. On the Hokies' possession, Marlowe Wax Jr. forced a fumble by Collin Schlee that was recovered by Fadil Diggs to end the game.

Allen was huge in the win, rushing for a season-best 121 yards with three touchdowns, including the game-winning score in overtime. The running back also caught five passes as he passed Antwon Bailey to become the all-time leader in career receptions by a running back in Syracuse history, now with 98. Kyle McCord finished the day with 264 yards in the air with both of quarterback's touchdown passes coming in the second half of the game.

Justus Ross-Simmons led the way in the air, compiling 88 yards and catching a career-high two touchdowns. All statistics were his first in Orange after the Colorado State transfer was hampered by injury at the start of the season. Trebor Pena also had a strong receiving game with seven catches for 83 yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, 'Cuse recorded four tackles for loss, three sacks, and forced the Hokies into two turnovers, including a fumble that was forced by Duce Chestnut in the third quarter. Syracuse sealed the win in overtime on Virginia Tech's chance, as Marlowe Wax forced the game-clinching fumble that was recovered by Fadil Diggs.

Wax recorded a sack for a second-consecutive game after making his return from injury last week. The linebacker finished the contest with 1.5 sacks and the game-winning takeaway.

Virginia Tech (5-4, 3-2 ACC) took a 14-0 lead after finding the end zone on two of its first three drives. 'Cuse offense put together an 11-play, 66-yard drive towards the end of the first frame to put itself in a position to convert a 44-yard field goal on the first play of the second quarter. Jackson Kennedy, who converted the 44-yard score, recorded the first kick of his Syracuse career to cut the Hokies' lead to 14-3.

Both teams had opportunities to add points for the remainder of the second quarter but could not find the end zone as Virginia Tech took a 14-3 lead into the half. The Hokies forced two Syracuse turnovers, one interception and one fumble, but the Orange defense held strong to keep the Hokies out of the end zone.

Virginia Tech added their third touchdown on their first drive of the third quarter, marching 76 yards down the field on 10 plays to extend their lead to 21-3. 'Cuse responded on its ensuing drive when it quickly added a 55-yard touchdown reception by Ross-Simmons to cut the deficit down to 21-10.

Syracuse added a second-straight touchdown three and a half minutes later after forcing Virginia Tech into a three-and-out. Allen provided a 1-yard touchdown run that brought the Orange within five. McCord then completed a two-point conversion to Oronde Gadsden II to bring 'Cuse within three, 21-18.

With less than a minute to play in the third, the Syracuse defense provided a key turnover as Chestnut forced a fumble that was recovered by Wax. McCord and the offense capitalized on the opportunity when the 'Cuse quarterback tossed a 28-yard touchdown pass to Ross-Simmons, giving the Orange their first lead of the day, 24-21.

Virginia Tech responded to Syracuse's 21-straight points with a touchdown and a field goal to retake a 31-24 lead with 5:16 to play. On the final Syracuse drive of regulation, McCord and the offense used 14 plays to go 75 yards downfield and tied the contest on a one-yard rushing touchdown and a converted PAT. After four quarters of play, the contest was tied 31-31.

On the first possession of overtime, Syracuse needed just two plays to find the end zone, as Allen scampered all-25 yards across the two play calls to give the Orange a chance to win the game with a defensive stop.

On the final play of the contest, Wax ripped the ball out at the 14-yard line and sealed Syracuse's 38-31 overtime victory over the Hokies. It was Syracuse's ninth victory over Virginia Tech in their last-10 contests held in the JMA Wireless Dome.

The Orange return to the road for a two-game stretch starting at Boston College on Saturday, Nov. 9. The time of kickoff at Alumni Stadium has yet to be announced.