After 48 hours of quarterback drama, the Syracuse Orange (2-3, 0-3) took the field against the Virginia Cavaliers (4-2, 2-1) and for 30 minutes it looked like we might have something unexpected happen……and well a lot of unexpected things happened but not as many good for the Orange.
Then the second half started and Syracuse reverted to well Syracuse as Virginia turned a 17-7 halftime deficit into a 28-25 win that saw the final two Orange drives with 4th-string QB Danny Lauter at the helm.
It was a comedy of errors for the Orange who controlled the game for the first 40 minutes, but missed kicks, penalties and then poor tackling showed up and now instead of coming home with a 3-2 record a bit of hope, the vibes are bad.
Malachi Nelson got the start for the Orange and you don't want to see a stat like this.
Let's hope next week doesn't give us the 6th in 9 games…
Virginia took the opening kickoff and marched downfield with big chunk plays culminating with a Zay Davis 14 yard touchdown run. Syracuse's defense was blown off the line by the Cavaliers offensive line as they didn't face a 3rd down going 75 yards in 8 plays to open the scoring. We didn't see Antoine Deslauriers on the opening drive and Virginia took advantage of it and it looked like it would be a long night for the defense.
Nelson and the Orange responded with a strong drive. Jayden Mann was starting at guard for Byron Washington and the script from Jeff Nixon missed runs and some short passes to get Syracuse in the red zone. A missed pass on 1st down left us wondering if this would be another wasted trip but Ahmad Miller carried three straight times to get it into the end zone.
The Orange defense held and forced Virginia to punt to close out the first quarter with the score tied at 7. Trevion Mack went out for a couple of plays but a big throw from Nelson to Umari Hatcher put Syracuse in scoring position. Nelson hit a 3rd down conversion to Daunte Bacheyie to keep the drive alive then he connected with Hatcher in the end zone.
Syracuse got a stop and drove into scoring position but the drive stalled and the Orange's kicking woes continued as Barker rushed out and missed a 47 yard attempt. The Syracuse defense forced another punt and then Virginia decided to play like Syracuse for a bit- committing three 15 yard penalties on the drive. Unfortunately the Orange remembered that they commit bad penalties and after two holding calls (Washington and Mack), Syracuse settled for a 29 yard Barker field goal to go into the half up 17-7.
The Orange got a big run from Hill to once again get in scoring position, but the drive stalled and Barker missed his 2nd field goal of the game. Despite dominating the game, Syracuse was not able to extend the lead as the penalties started to add up and Nelson began to miss on throws.
Virginia took advantage of Syracuse's stumble to close to 17-14 as Pribula found Da'Shawn Martin for a 37 yard touchdown with 2:01 to play in the 3rd. That's how the quarter ended and despite a 344-188 advantage in total offense, it felt like Virginia had taken back control of the game.
The Orange got to midfield to open the 4th but went backwards and had to punt as Virginia was gaining more and more momentum. It was some option plays that got the Cavaliers inside the Syracuse 10 as David Omopariola was flagged for targeting and Jekail Middlebrook cashed in from 3 yards out to put Virginia back in front 21-17. It was a 7 play, 73 yard drive where the Orange defense looked lost.
Tough to blame that group as they put a good showing in for a majority of the game as the offense sputtered in too many key spots. Once again special teams cost Syracuse as a bad snap from Fran Brown, Jr. led to Jimmy Gregg touching his knee down at the 34 yard line putting Virginia in position to end the game and Middlebrook did just that going in for his 2nd score and making it a 28-17 game.
Syracuse finally got something going but of course it was the most unpredictable way possible. With Nelson down with an injury, Danny Lauter was inserted into the game and on a 3rd and 22 play he found Bacheyie for a 46 yard score then a two-point conversion to Justus Ross-Simmons to make it 28-25 with just under 3 minutes to play.
The defense forced a punt but with the Orange pinned deep in their own end, Lauter was unable to get a first down and Syracuse earned their 10th straight ACC loss.
Nelson finished the game 16-29 for 217 yards and a touchdown. Hill ran 23 times for 118 yards and Hatcher caught 8 passes for 126 yards and a score.
The Orange return home to face the Louisville Cardinals next Saturday night with a 7:30 pm kickoff.
