Syracuse Postgame Notes - Syracuse University Athletics

Syracuse (1-2, 1-1 ACC) vs Georgia Tech (1-2, 1-1 ACC)
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020
Postgame Notes
Syracuse 37, Georgia Tech 20

OFFENSIVE NOTES

Freshman running back Sean Tucker scored twice in the first quarter for the Orange. His 38-yard blast up the middle was the game’s first touchdown. He added a four-yard run to paydirt late in the period.
Tucker finished with a career high 112 yards on 24 carries.
Redshirt senior defensive tackle McKinley lined up as a fullback in the Orange’s jumbo package on Tucker’s second touchdown run.
Redshirt junior quarterback Tommy DeVito completed 13 of 24 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 23 yards on four carries.
Junior wide receiver Taj Harris had a 43-yard touchdown reception. He finished with three receptions for 64 yards.
Senior wide receiver Nykeim Johnson hauled in a 46-yard scoring toss from DeVito. Nykeim Johnson had a squad-best four catches for 87 yards.
DeVito moved into ninth on the all-time passes attempted list at Syracuse. He passed Todd Norley, who had 482. (1982-85).

DEFENSIVE NOTES

The Orange accumulated four interceptions.
Syracuse started five true or redshirt freshmen on defense.
Redshirt senior defensive end Josh Black had his first career interception in the first quarter. It gave Syracuse possession at the Georgia Tech 29.
Junior free safety Trill Williams had a first-quarter interception. It was his fourth career theft.
Freshman rover Rob Hanna, who made his first collegiate start, had a third-quarter interception to halt a Georgia Tech drive.
Freshman safety Ja’Had Carter added his first career pick in the final quarter. After taking the ball back part way, he lateraled to Trill Williams who completed the 68-yard scoring play.
Hannah had a Syracuse-best nine tackles (7 solos, 2 assists).
Carter and sophomore linebacker Geoff Cantin-Arku each finished with seven tackles.

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES

Redshirt junior Andre Szmyt connected on a 47-yard field goal in the first quarter. It gave the Orange a 10-0 lead.
Senior Nykeim Johnson had a career-long 49-yard kickoff return in the second quarter. It helped set up the touchdown pass From DeVito to Harris.
Redshirt junior Tyrell Richards blocked a Georgia Tech field-goal attempt in the third quarter.The last time Syracuse blocked a field goal was at Louisville in 2018 – by Josh Black.
When Georgia Tech changed stopped kicking off deep, senior Aaron Hackett picked up two kickoff returns. It equaled his effort (two returns) against Wagner in 2018.
Redshirt senior punter Nolan Cooney averaged 49.2 yards on six punts. Four of them travelled at least 50 yards.

MISCELLANEOUS

Syracuse’s first touchdown gave the Orange a lead against Georgia Tech for the first time in the series with the Yellow Jackets. Saturday marked the fourth meeting on the gridiron for the two schools.
The Orange earned its first victory in the series. The Yellow Jackets now have a 3-1 overall edge in career meetings.
The Yellow Jackets were hindered by 15 penalties for 104 yards.

FIRST-TIME STARTERS
Defense

Freshman Rob Hanna (R)
Redshirt sophomore Cam Jonas (BS)

STARTER STREAKS
Offense
Redshirt senior Aaron Servias (T): 40^th consecutive start
Defense
Redshirt senior Josh Black (T): 15^th consecutive start
Specialists
Redshirt junior Andre Szmyt (PK): 28^th consecutive start

GAME CAPTAIN
Junior Trill Williams (FS)

COIN TOSS
Syracuse won the coin toss and elected to receive.

NEXT GAME
Syracuse hosts Duke on Saturday, October 10. The kickoff time is to be determined.