Syracuse outguns and outruns UNLV in Wild West shootout

Syracuse Football won dramatically, knocking off its second top-25 opponent of the season. The Orange came back to beat No. 25 UNLV 44-41 in overtime. Lequint Allen Jr.’s four touchdowns move the Orange to 4-1. The loss also moves UNLV to 4-1. 

To open the game, the Orange forced UNLV into a three-and-out on its first drive and another punt on its second. The offense fired early, scoring on its first two drives, both Allen Jr. scores. 

The Orange led 14-0 entering the second quarter. Fast as it comes is as fast as it goes: UNLV scored on its next three drives, and the Orange had no response. The Rebels led 21-14. The Orange, beginning to get desperate, salvaged a field goal just before halftime, cutting the lead to 21-17. 

Syracuse opened the second half by marching down the field 75 yards on 12 plays for a touchdown to Allen Jr. On this possession, Allen sustained an undisclosed knee injury on a brutal hit. Deuce Chestnut picked off Hajj-Malik Williams on the next drive. 

Having excellent field position, Yasin Willis carried 21 yards to the endzone in one play. Syracuse led by 10, 31-21. Again, UNLV responded. 

On its next possession, UNLV scored a field goal, 31-24. UNLV forced Syracuse into a fourth down deep in its territory. Special teams’ woes that have haunted Orange the whole season returned. Jack Stonehouse’s punt was blocked and rolled into the endzone, where UNLV fell on it for a touchdown to tie the game at 31. 

On the ensuing possession, Kyle McCord was picked off deep in UNLV territory on an out route to Allen Jr. UNLV went on to march 94 yards and score another touchdown to take the lead 38-31. 

The game looked almost over for the Orange. But McCord was still not done. He and the Orange marched down the field where Jackson Meeks came up big for the second week. With just six seconds left, McCord found Meeks in the endzone to tie the game and force overtime. 

Instead of tossing a Hail Mary, UNLV took a knee, opting to go straight to overtime. 

On the first overtime possession, the defense stood tall, holding an explosive UNLV offense to a field goal. Penalties on the offense had McCord and the offense looking at third and 20.

After a roughing the passer penalty, the Orange found new life. McCord then found Oronde Gadsden II, who had his biggest game in weeks. Gadsden got the Orange inside the five. Allen Jr. would not be stopped on the next play, out-muscling a UNLV defender into the endzone for the win. 

The emotional win on Friday night against a top-25 opponent is the perfect way for the Orange to start a month-long road trip. Next up is the first ACC road game against NC State.