SU surprises Miami 42-38 in “instant classic”

SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR) — The first regular season of the Fran Brown era ended with a bang on Saturday as Syracuse stunned the 8th ranked Miami Hurricanes 42-38. Kyle McCord threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns in the win. The Orange rallied from down 21-0 to pick up the program’s first win over a Top 10 opponent since 2017.

Early on, it looked like SU might be in trouble as the ‘Canes scored on their first three possessions. Miami marched 75 yards in 10 plays on its opening drive to take a 7-0 lead on a two-yard run by Mark Fletcher.

Syracuse had a 41-yard touchdown pass to Trebor Pena called back on its opening drive because of an illegal formation penalty. That drive would end with an incomplete pass on fourth-and-two.

The Hurricanes made it 14-0 on a 16-yard pass to Xavier Restrepo. After an SU punt, Cam Ward led another scoring drive when he connected with Elijah Arroyo from three yards out. It was 21-0 Miami early in the second quarter.

After that, the SU offense came alive. LeQuint Allen capped a seven-play, 75-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown run.

After a Miami stunt, Kyle McCord set a new SU record by throwing his 27th touchdown pass of the season. McCord found Jackson Meeks from nine yards out to make it 21-14.

It didn’t even take the Orange a minute to tie it in the third quarter. Kyle McCord hit Trebor Pena on back-to-back plays, a 50-yard completion and a 25-yard completion, to pull even at 21.

After the teams again traded touchdowns, Devin Grant gave Syracuse its first lead of the game with a 56-yard scoop and score. That put the orange ahead 35-28 at the end of the third quarter.

Miami would tie it back early in the fourth quarter. After the drive was kept alive by a defensive holding call, Cam Ward found Xavier Restrepo for a 40-yard catch and race down to the two-yard line. Damien Martinez ran it in on the next play to tie the score at 35 with 13:02 left.

SU would again respond with a 10-play scoring drive. LeQuint Allen capped the drive with a three-yard touchdown run (his 14th of the season) to make it 42-35 Orange with 9:16 left.

On its next drive, Miami took a critical penalty near the SU goal line. Jacolby George was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on first-and-goal. The ‘Canes would settle for a short field goal to make it 42-38 with 3:42 left. However, SU would never give the ball back and closed it out for a 42-38 victory.

The loss by Miami means Clemson will face SMU in the ACC Championship.

Syracuse improves to 9-3 on the season and will wait to find out its bowl destination next Sunday.