Syracuse football: slow start turns into turnover frenzy, 24-17 victory over NC State

Justin Barron and a revitalized defense did their jobs to move SU to 5-1

The Syracuse Orange defense had just five takeaways during their first five games this season. After tonight, it seems they just needed some fresh air to lock in.

SU once again met their foe under the lights, where a rocking Raleigh Blackout crowd was not enough to deter them in a 24-17 win over the NC State Wolfpack. Kyle McCord continued his revenge tour with 346 yards and two passing touchdowns, while three separate Orange defenders forced takeaways in this crucial win.

McCord started off his night with passes to Oronde Gadsden and Trebor Pena for the first new set of downs. He then had Pena open for what would’ve been a 20-yard reception, but the junior slot receiver could not haul it in.

The drive slowed down into a methodical march down the field. Following what felt like all three timeouts rolled into one, McCord converted a 3rd and 6 with a 19-yard strike to #19. After Pena grabbed another set of downs, we saw a brief flashback to the fabled ThunderCat offense, with Dan Villari powering forward for a four-yard gain – one of his four carries on the night.

However, McCord’s next two passes fell incomplete, and the Orange had to settle for a 32-yard field goal from Jadyn Oh. That 16-play drive ate the first 6:47 of the game.

The SU defense felt the absence of linemen Kevin Jobity and Dion Wilson early, with the ‘Pack pushing through for a pair of solid gains up the middle. Fill-in QB C.J. Bailey then found Noah Rogers and Dacari Collins for back-to-back firsts. Bailey couldn’t make it three in a row though, and ‘Cuse kept them to a 41-yard field goal try. Kanoah Vinesett had already missed from 40+ twice this season, and it happened again, keeping it a 3-0 ballgame.

The Orange proceeded to march to the fringes of field goal range again, but instead of a 36-yard attempt by Oh, Fran Brown opted to go for it on 4th-and-5 on the 19. McCord locked in on Gadsden but his pass was just barely batted away for the first turnover of the night.

After forcing a three-and-out, LeQuint Allen got the next drive started with a 13-yard power run. The offense marched all the way to the eight-yard line, but one false start and a 12-yard sack later, they were suddenly back in field goal mode again. With no other choice, Oh took a 43-yard attempt but missed it wide left.

It was NC State’s turn to march deep into enemy territory, but their kryptonite for the night was revealed: butter fingers. Derek McDonald knocked the ball away from RB Kendrick Raphael, where it was scooped by Justin Barron at the 17.

McCord promptly showed off his arm by leading his troops down the field ending the charge with a long touchdown to Umari Hatcher – a play that gives me major “Garrett Shrader to Damien Alford at VT” vibes.

The Wolfpack wouldn’t leave the ‘0’ on the board heading into the locker room, first relying on the high-end talent of Kevin Concepcion to get loose down the side for a 42-yard gain, then capitalizing on an illegal formation penalty to go from three points to seven on a Jordan Waters four-yard rush.

NC State went back to the ground to start the second half and finally got their first big gain – a 28-yard Bailey scramble through a very empty space between the hashes. Alas for them, it was not to last.

The ball was again punched out – this time by Devin Grant – before being punched down the throat of the Wolfpack defense by Allen for his fourth rushing TD of the season:

On the next drive, it was another turnover – this time a tip-pick to Barron, returned 53 yards…

…setting up another McCord touchdown pass, this one to his developing favorite target Jackson Meeks, who finished with a team-high 116 yards.

Despite a furious NC State rally – started by a nonsensical non-call of a receiver going out of bounds, followed by a failed killshot on 4th-and-7 at the 12 and a near defensive collapse – ‘Cuse held on for their first road win at Carter-Finley since 2013 and the program’s first back-to-back road wins since 2012.

All-in-all, it was like most SU contests in the first half of this season: flashy plays mixed with headscratchers and a fair amount of stress (and a late shouting match between Fran and NC State HC Dave Doeren for emphasis). There were a few miscues again, namely some stretches of poor tackling and a few of those resurgent O-Line penalties, but it was an improvement from the UNLV game.

Following their second and final bye, Syracuse travels to Yinzer Country to face the now 6-0 Pittsburgh Panthers in yet another primetime match. Unlike most football games in the Thursday night slot, this is one well worth some dedication.