Syracuse 44, #25 UNLV 41: Orange survive costly mistake, escape with thrilling overtime win in Vegas

In a rollercoaster of a game that saw all the momentum on Friday night, the Syracuse Orange (4-1, 1-0) overcame several costly mistakes and a fourth quarter deficit to defeat the #25 UNLV Rebels (4-1, 1-0) 44 -41 in overtime.

Syracuse went on a 14-0 run, gave up 21 straight points, came right back to take a 10-point lead, saw it completely gone, and still, capitalized down the stretch. LeQuint Allen (19 carries, 71 yards) scored the game-winning touchdown as the Orange picked up their first road win of the year and second AP Top-25 win of the season.

On a wild day where both teams combined for 846 yards of total offense, Kyle McCord went 40/63 with 355 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Aronde Gadsden (10 catches for 142 yards), Jackson Meeks (8 catches for 67 yards) and Trevor Pena (8 catches for 67 yards) led the way on the receiving front. Both teams also combined for 16 penalties for 164 yards.

Syracuse's defense came out on the right note, forcing UNLV to go three-and-out in the first minute of the game. On the Orange's first drive, McCord threw two quick passes to Allen and Gadsden for a first down, then hit Pena for a 31-yard catch in Rebels territory. A nine-yard shovel pass to McCord set up Allen for an easy touchdown, capping an efficient nine-play, 75-yard drive.

UNLV responded early on its second drive, reaching the Syracuse 28-yard line. However, an unsportsmanlike act by Rebels WR Casey Cain and a botched snap on the next play ultimately led to a Syracuse stop on third-and-long.

On their next drive, the Orange's offense continued to generate without much trouble. A 39-yard reception by Gadsden put Syracuse in UNLV territory. Several plays later, Allen ended the first quarter with a three-yard touchdown run to seal the deal on another impressive drive, this time 87 yards in nine plays, and give Syracuse an early 14–0 lead.

After two stalled drives out of the gate, the Rebels finally found their groove on offense. UNLV opened the second quarter with a 42-yard run from Jay'den Thomas, which eventually set up a six-yard touchdown pass from Williams to Kaleo Ballunge.

Momentum returned to the Rebels in a flash in the second quarter. Syracuse's next drive ended after just six plays, then Williams hit Ricky White III on a 53-yard catch-and-run slant route to put UNLV on first and goal. One player later, Williams ran in to tie the game at 14-14.

Self-inflicted mistakes soon became Syracuse's worst enemy. Two penalties put the Orange on third-and-25, then UNLV didn't allow Jack Stonehouse to even stop a punt attempt. Two plays later, it was Cain's turn to get a touchdown grab. Just like that, UNLV secured its third consecutive touchdown in the quarter.

Syracuse ended the first half on a good note, with two big catches by Gadsden and a 14-yard run by Allen that turned a six-minute, 16-play drive into a chip-shot field goal for Jadyn Oh. UNLV led Syracuse 21-17 at halftime.

Just when things were going south, Syracuse's Vegas fortunes turned around in the third quarter.

On a critical drive to start the second half, a 26-yard run by Yasin Willis started another advanced sequence of plays for the Orange. Facing third-and-goal, Allen caught a pass near the sideline and carried it into the end zone — his third score of the game — to cap off another long drive (12 plays, 75 yards) and put Syracuse back in front 24-21.

On UNLV's next drive, pressure from Justin Barron resulted in an errant pass by Williams that was tipped and intercepted by Deuce Chestnut — the first turnover of the game on either side of the ball. One play later, Willis scampered for 21 yards for his first career touchdown. Just like that, Syracuse was back up by 10 points after scoring two TDs in 58 seconds.

UNLV responded on its next drive and drove down to the goal line, but the Orange was able to hold the Rebels to a short field goal. Unfortunately, a promising drive not only ended, but UNLV blocked the punt all the way to the end zone. Going into the fourth quarter, both teams were now tied at 31.

Starting at their own 31-yard line, the Orange initially managed a 13-play drive into the red zone. Facing third-and-eight, Jackson Woodard made a big-time interception to give UNLV the ball back with eight minutes remaining.

The rebels capitalized on that mistake. UNLV's offense drove 94 yards down the field in five minutes, setting up another touchdown pass from Williams to White and putting the Orange down 38-31 with three minutes left.

Starting at their own 25, catches by Gadsden and Jackson Meeks put the Orange down at the UNLV 24. Facing a fourth-and-one, Allen broke a tackle in the backfield, gained a first down and received a personal foul penalty. On third-and-goal with 27 seconds left, Meeks made an impressive sideline catch in the end zone to tie the game at 38-38 and send it into overtime.

With UNLV getting the ball first, Syracuse forced a three-and-out forcing the Rebels to kick a 41-yard field goal. Now it was the Orange offense's turn, and things got even wilder. Syracuse got down to inside the 10, but a holding penalty pushed the Orange back. On the next play, a UNLV defender was called for roughing the passer which set up the Orange with another first down.

Several plays later, a power run by Allen outside of Woodard gave the Orange the win.

Somehow, Syracuse came out victorious in Vegas. Orange's October road trip resumes next Saturday on the road vs. the NC State Wolfpack (3-2, 0-1).