The Syracuse Orange extended their impressive season record to 5-1 after securing a commanding 24-17 victory over NC State on Saturday night. Syracuse controlled the game’s tempo from start to finish, utilizing a balanced attack while forcing critical turnovers that proved to be the difference-maker.
From the opening whistle, Syracuse’s dominance was evident, though early on, the scoreboard didn’t quite reflect their control. The Orange opened with an impressive 16-play drive but had to settle for a field goal after failing to reach the end zone. The defense, however, was relentless, stifling NC State’s offense and forcing two quick punts on their opening possessions. Syracuse’s offense, despite maintaining control of the ball, struggled to capitalize, with a turnover on downs followed by a missed field goal keeping the score at 3-0.
Photo Cred: USA Today
Midway through the second quarter, NC State appeared to gain momentum as quarterback CJ Baily began to find his rhythm. He connected with wide receiver Dacari Collins on a 21-yard pass, pushing the Wolfpack deep into Syracuse territory. Just when it seemed like NC State was poised to take control, disaster struck. On the very next play, running back Kendrick Raphael fumbled the ball, and Syracuse’s defense pounced, recovering the turnover.
“When the defense gave up a big play, they didn’t flinch,” said head coach Fran Brown. “Most of the time, when you give up a big play, heads go down. But our guys bounced back, stayed aggressive, and forced a fumble. That changed the game.”
Syracuse’s offense, energized by the defense’s big play, came alive. Quarterback Kyle McCord led a swift, decisive drive that culminated in a 28-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Umari Hatcher, putting the Orange up 10-0. NC State managed to respond with a touchdown of their own before halftime, narrowing the score to 10-7, but the Orange maintained their composure heading into the locker room.
The second half began with NC State threatening to seize control. They opened with another promising drive, but once again, Syracuse’s defense rose to the occasion, recovering a second fumble that shifted momentum back in their favor. The Orange capitalized on the turnover, with running back LeQuint Allen punching in a four-yard touchdown run, extending their lead to 17-7.
Things went from bad to worse for NC State as CJ Baily threw a costly interception deep in Syracuse territory. McCord, wasting no time, led another scoring drive, this time connecting with wide receiver Jackson Meeks for a touchdown that gave Syracuse a comfortable 24-7 advantage. Though NC State managed to add 10 points in the fourth quarter, including a late touchdown, it was too little, too late. Syracuse’s defense held strong in the closing minutes, sealing the 24-17 victory.
A key factor in Syracuse’s success was their ability to control the clock, dominating time of possession by holding the ball for over 13 minutes more than NC State. Running back LeQuint Allen played a pivotal role in this, carrying the ball 21 times for 91 yards and a touchdown, while also helping to keep the chains moving late in the game. Quarterback Kyle McCord turned in another stellar performance, completing 32 of 46 passes for 346 yards and two touchdowns. McCord’s consistency this season has been remarkable, as he has now thrown for over 300 yards in each of his six starts.
Photo Cred: Penn Live
Head coach Fran Brown praised his team’s resilience and credited their ability to win the turnover battle as the key to victory. “When you force three turnovers and protect the ball on offense, you put yourself in a great position to win. Our defense made huge plays tonight, and Kyle [McCord] and the offense executed when we needed it most,” Brown said.
With their fifth win of the season, the Orange have solidified their place as one of the top teams in the conference, and with performances like this, they continue to build momentum as the season progresses.
