Despite persistent issues on special teams, Syracuse managed to have the last laugh on Friday as LeQuint Allen powered into the endzone for the game-winning touchdown. In the first quarter, it looked like Syracuse was headed for a blowout. The Orange defense forced two early stops against UNLV, while long, sustained drives led by quarterback Kyle McCord quickly put Syracuse up 14-0. However, the #25-ranked Rebels didn’t back down. UNLV’s second-quarter comeback began with a 42-yard run by Jai’Den Thomas, setting up the Rebels in scoring position.
Photo Cred: SU
Quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams soon threw a six-yard touchdown pass, and UNLV’s defense followed with its first stop of the game. The Rebels capitalized with a two-play drive featuring a 53-yard reception by Ricky White III and a three-yard touchdown scramble by Williams. It took UNLV less than half of the second quarter to erase the deficit, and they weren’t done yet.
Syracuse was forced to punt on their next possession, but disaster struck. UNLV’s punt block team pressured punter Jack Stonehouse so quickly that he couldn’t get the kick off, giving the Rebels the ball at Syracuse’s nine-yard line. Two plays later, Williams connected with Casey Cain for the go-ahead score, leaving Syracuse down 21-14 midway through the second quarter.
“We’re not going to flinch, and as long as he [Kyle McCord] and I don’t flinch, everyone else will stay on the same page,” said Fran Brown in a press conference.
When Syracuse desperately needed a long scoring drive, McCord and the offense delivered. A 16-play drive drained most of the remaining time in the half and resulted in a field goal. Though Syracuse regained some momentum, UNLV kept their lead, going into halftime ahead 21-17. Syracuse’s offense carried its momentum into the second half with another long drive, resulting in LeQuint Allen’s second touchdown reception, putting the Orange back in front. Williams then threw an interception two plays later, and Syracuse capitalized with a 21-yard rushing touchdown by Yasin Willis.
Photo Cred: SU
UNLV, now down and without momentum, responded with a long drive of their own, earning three points. At 31-24 near the end of the third quarter, UNLV forced Syracuse into another punting situation. This time, Stonehouse kicked the ball, but it was blocked by Ricky White III, and the ball bounced into the endzone, where it was recovered for the game-tying touchdown. With momentum slipping again, Syracuse mounted another long drive into the red zone.
But McCord threw an interception, preventing the Orange from regaining the lead with just eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. UNLV capitalized with a touchdown, leaving only three minutes on the clock. Down 38-31, Syracuse needed a touchdown to force overtime. Over the course of 11 plays, the Orange marched down the field and tied the game with a reception by Jackson Meeks. With time running out, Syracuse had a decision: go for two and the win or settle for overtime with the extra point.
“We train to go into overtime. We work for five quarters, so let’s play five quarters,” Fran Brown explained when asked why he didn’t go for the two-point conversion.
It proved to be the right decision. Syracuse’s defense held UNLV to a field goal in overtime. All Syracuse needed was a touchdown to win. After failing to convert on third-and-20, a critical UNLV penalty set the Orange up at the one-yard line. LeQuint Allen finished the job, powering through the defense to score the game-winning touchdown.
“As soon as we got the targeting penalty, I said, ‘We’re running the ball into the endzone,’” Fran Brown said.
Before Friday night, LeQuint Allen had scored just two touchdowns all season, one rushing and one receiving. But Coach Fran Brown knew Allen’s running would be key to victory.
“I looked over at [offensive coordinator Jeff] Nixon and said, ‘Feed LeQuint,’” Brown said.
Nixon took that to heart. Allen led the team in receptions and carries, rushing 19 times for 71 yards and two touchdowns while also catching nine passes for 58 yards and two more touchdowns. His performance was even more remarkable given that he played through an injury. Allen sustained a lower leg injury during the game. To keep his leg from tightening, Allen used a stationary bike and ran up and down the sideline. Despite the pain, he continued to perform at a high level.
