Amber Aniston • December 2, 2024

Syracuse Stuns No. 6 Miami With Historic 42-38 Comeback Victory

The Syracuse Orange orchestrated their largest comeback in program history to defeat No. 6 Miami, 42-38, in a thrilling ACC regular-season finale at the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday. Syracuse rallied from a 21-0 deficit to hand the Hurricanes a crushing loss, ending their ACC title game hopes and potentially dashing their College Football Playoff aspirations.


Quarterback Kyle McCord led the charge with a remarkable performance, throwing for 380 yards and three touchdowns, while LeQuint Allen Jr. added two rushing scores. The victory marked Syracuse’s first win over a top-10 opponent since 2017 and its third victory against a ranked team this season.


A Tale of Two Halves  

Miami dominated the early stages of the game, with quarterback Cam Ward engineering three scoring drives in quick succession. Ward’s precise passing and the Hurricanes’ potent rushing attack overwhelmed Syracuse’s defense, putting Miami ahead 21-0 less than two minutes into the second quarter.


Syracuse’s struggles on offense, including a costly penalty that negated a touchdown, compounded their early woes. However, the tide began to turn late in the second quarter when Allen punched in a short rushing touchdown to cap a seven-play, 75-yard drive. Syracuse’s defense then forced its first stop of the game, setting up McCord for a pivotal touchdown pass to Jackson Meeks, cutting the deficit to 21-14 by halftime.


Syracuse Takes Control

The Orange carried their momentum into the second half, tying the game at 21-21 in just three plays. McCord connected with Trebor Pena on a 50-yard strike and followed it up with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Pena, showcasing his ability to exploit Miami’s defensive lapses.


Miami briefly regained the lead with a 75-yard drive capped by a two-yard run from Mark Fletcher Jr., but Syracuse answered once again. McCord’s pinpoint passing led to another touchdown for Meeks, tying the game at 28-28 late in the third quarter.


The defining moment came when Miami wide receiver Xavier Restrepo fumbled after a hit from Devin Grant. Grant scooped up the loose ball and returned it 56 yards for a touchdown, giving Syracuse its first lead of the game at 35-28. From that point, the Orange never trailed again.


Late-Game Drama

Miami fought back to tie the game at 35-35 early in the fourth quarter, but Syracuse responded with a nine-play, 75-yard drive, capped by Allen’s second rushing touchdown. The Orange defense held strong on Miami’s ensuing possession, forcing the Hurricanes to settle for a field goal despite reaching the red zone.


With a four-point lead and just over three minutes remaining, Syracuse turned to its ground game to run out the clock. Allen and Pena delivered key runs to seal the victory, as Syracuse’s offense controlled the tempo and denied Miami another opportunity to score.


Key Performances

Kyle McCord’s 380-yard, three-touchdown performance solidified his place as one of the nation’s top quarterbacks, surpassing 4,000 passing yards for the season. His connection with Jackson Meeks and Trebor Pena was instrumental in Syracuse’s offensive resurgence, with both receivers combining for 238 yards and three touchdowns.


LeQuint Allen contributed 82 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score. Devin Grant’s defensive heroics, highlighted by his game-changing fumble recovery and touchdown return, underscored Syracuse’s ability to capitalize on Miami’s mistakes.


For Miami, Cam Ward threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns but was overshadowed by McCord’s brilliance. Restrepo led the Hurricanes with 148 receiving yards and a touchdown, but his critical fumble proved costly.


Historic Milestone for Syracuse

The win not only marked Syracuse’s first victory over a top-10 team in seven years but also cemented head coach Fran Brown’s remarkable debut season. With a 9-3 record, Syracuse achieved its best regular-season performance since 2018, earning a spot in a bowl game for the third consecutive year.


The Orange also secured three victories over ranked opponents in a single season for the first time since 1998, highlighting the team’s growth under Brown’s leadership.


Looking Ahead

Syracuse awaits its bowl game selection, eager to build on the momentum of its historic victory. Meanwhile, Miami, now 10-2, must regroup and hope for an at-large bid to the College Football Playoff, though their late-season struggles may hurt their chances.


A Defining Moment for Syracuse Football

Syracuse’s comeback victory over Miami will go down as one of the most memorable games in program history. The team’s resilience, led by McCord’s exceptional performance and a defense that delivered when it mattered most, signaled a new era for the Orange under Fran Brown. With a bright future ahead, Syracuse has proven it can compete with the nation’s best.

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