Syracuse Football: 'Dude, You Missed It!'

Syracuse Vs. Wake Forest: Facts, Tidbits And Opinions

The Syracuse University football program began its 2011 campaign in exciting fashion Thursday night with a 36-39 come-from-behind victory against visiting Wake Forest in a non-conference game at the Carrier Dome. The Orange (1-0) trailed 29-14 with 11:02 remaining in the fourth quarter, but managed to score two touchdowns — a four-yard reception by senior fullback Adam Harris, while the second came on a 53-yard rush by senior running back Antwon Bailey — to tie the game, 29-29, with 7:07 to go.

The game went into overtime where SU, which had possession first, used a four-yard TD pass from sophomore quarterback Ryan Nassib to senior wide receiver Van Chew and a Ross Krautman extra point to take a 36-29 lead. From there, the Orange defense held tough and didn’t allow the Demon Deacons to score on their only possession of OT.

That’s the basic story of what happened in SU’s first victory of the season. But, here’s a few facts, tidbits and opinions that you might not read elsewhere:

Facts:

• Wake Forest starting quarterback Tanner Price, who had 289 passing yards on 18-of-31 and three TDs before leaving the game with a knee injury, was the game’s MVP. (Quick note: Backup quarterback junior Ted Stachitas was 6-of-10 for just 37 yards with an interception and two sacks during his three possession under center.)
• The game’s second-best player was Wake Forest's senior wide receiver Chris Givens, who finished with seven catches, 178 yards and two TDs, but was nowhere to be found during the Demon Deacons final possessions of the fourth quarter or OT.
• Nassib's first-half stats (7-for-13, 40 yards, a TD and sack) were terrible, but, his second half stats (13-for-15, 138 yards, two TDs and zero sacks) were pretty stellar.
• SU punter Shane Raupers was the Orange’s MVP during the first half. Raupers punted six times with a 46.7-yard average, 51 was the longest, and helped setup SU’s first TD by pinning Wake Forest inside its own two-yard line.

Final Score: Syracuse 36, Wake Forest 29

SYRACUSE, NY -- Senior wide receiver Van Chew's four-yard touchdown catch in the first possession of overtime Thursday night helped propel the Syracuse Orange to a remarkable 36-29 come-from-behind victory over the visiting Wake Forest Demon Deacons in a season-opening non-conference contest at the Carrier Dome.

The Orange, who trailed 29-14 with 11:02 to play in the fourth quarter, used two TDs, which came just 1:19 apart, and a two-point conversion to begin their the season 1-0. The first TD came when senior fullback Adam Harris caught a four-yard pass from quarterback Ryan Nassib with 8:26 remaining. The extra point by kicker Ross Krautman cut margin to 29-21.

Then, after the SU's defense forced the Demon Deacon offense to go three-and-out and with a few Orange timeouts in between, senior running back Antwon Bailey took the seventh play of SU's next possession 53 yards for a TD. With Wake Forest still ahead, 29-27, Chew caught a three-yard pass from Nassib, which was intended to be thrown away, but Chew somehow snagged and kept in bounds. The Orange then were successful on the two-point conversion to tie the game at 29.

The Demon Deacons lone possession of overtime came after Chew's TD, and it ended when a pass towards the end zone sailed wide.

The Syracuse football schedule features the Orange hosting Rhode Island at the Carrier Dome next Saturday (4:30 p.m.). The following week SU travels to the west coast to take on the USC Trojans (8 p.m. on FX).

SB Nation New York blogged live from the Carrier Dome during Thursday night’s home opener against Wake Forest. Check back to SBNY for post-game reactions and the most up-to-date news on the Orange. Also, follow along on Twitter at SBNationNY and Jared_E_Smith.

Wake Forest 26, Syracuse 14: End Of 3rd Quarter

SYRACUSE --Wide receiver Chris Givens' second touchdown of the day has helped give the Wake Forest Demon Deacons a 26-14 lead over the Syracuse Orange entering the final quarter of a non-conference game at the Carrier Dome. Givens' 22-yard TD reception capped off a 11-play, 76-yard scoring drive that immediate answered an Orange TD, which cut the margin to 20-14.

SU's second-TD drive was aided by a few of Wake Forest penalties. The first, came on a third-and-five that featured Wake Forest defensive back Daniel Mack arriving too early on a would-be, first-down catch. Then, on a third-and-six from the Deacons' 11-yard line, SU quarterback Ryan Nassib was roughed on a throwing attempt, which ended up being tipped in the air and caught for a would-be interception by a Wake Forest defensive back. However, the major penalty allowed for the drive to continue and two plays later Antwon Bailey scored from one yard out.

(For first and second quarter recaps, click on the links.)

SB Nation New York will be blogging live from the Carrier Dome during Thursday night’s home opener against Wake Forest. Check back to SBNY for in-game updates, observations and post-game reactions. Also, follow along on Twitter at SBNationNY and Jared_E_Smith.

Wake Forest 20, Syracuse 7: Halftime Score

SYRACUSE --A pair of second-quarter touchdowns have helped the visiting Wake Forest Demon Deacons take a commanding 20-7 advantage over the Syracuse Orange in a non-conference game at the Carrier Dome. Both TDs -- a 60-yard from wide receiver Chris Givens and a 16-yarder by Michael Campanaro -- came from the arm of sophomore quarterback Tanner Price. Demon Deacons kicker Jimmy Newman added his second field goal during the early beginnings of the quarter.

The 16-yard reception capped off a 13-play, 71-yard drive that finished with less than five minutes to go in the quarter and gave the Deacons a 13-point margin heading into the locker room. However, the big, 60-yard reception by Givens was the most important as it immediately answered a go-ahead drive by SU, which was capped off by a 20-yard TD reception by tight end Nick Provo from quarterback Ryan Nassib.

Here are some quick first-half stats (look away SU fans):

• SU total yards: 52 (the Orange have 56 penalty yards).
  
• Wake Forest total yards: 258.
• Tanner Price (WF) passing: 11-for-19, 201 yards, two TDs.
• Chris Givens (WF) receiving: four catches, 124 yards.
• Josh Harris (WF) rushing: 12 carries, 32 yards.
• Ryan Nassib (SU) passing: 7-for-13, 40 yards.
• Antwon Bailey (SU) rushing: eight carries, 23 yards.
• WF possession time: 20:06.
• SU possession time: 9:54.

Quick observations: The Orange secondary was torched multiple times by the Price/Givens combo... There was also a lot of time for Price to throw the ball, which led to many Wake Forest wide receivers being open...This score could easily be 27-7 if Givens had not stumbled over himself on a long, 37-yard reception early in the first quarter... Antwon Bailey has not been effective except for a few cutback runs that have led to double-digit gains... Nick Provo's third-down drop during SU's first possession could have really set a good tone for the SU offense, which has been dreadful.

For the first quarter recap, click here.

SB Nation New York will be blogging live from the Carrier Dome during Thursday night’s home opener against Wake Forest. Check back to SBNY for in-game updates, observations and post-game reactions. Also, follow along on Twitter at SBNationNY and Jared_E_Smith.

Wake Forest 3, Syracuse 0: End Of 1st Quarter

SYRACUSE -- A 38-yard field goal from kicker Jimmy Newman has helped the Wake Forest Demon Deacons take an early 3-0 lead over the Syracuse Orange in a non-conference contest at the Carrier Dome. Newman's kick capped off a eight-play, 43-yard drive by Wake Forest. The scoring drive, which was the Demons' second of the game, was highlighted by a 37-yard reception by Chris Givens.

Wake Forest had a chance to go up 6-0, but Newman missed two chances at a 34-yard field goal -- Newman missed the first chance, however, a roughing the kicker penalty forced a second opportunity. But, that try missed as well.

Currently, SU has compiled minus-five yards of offense, including two three-and-out possessions. Meanwhile, the Orange defense has given large chucks of yardage through the air -- Wake Forest's sophomore quarterback Tanner Price has 79 passing yards.

Wake Forest will begin the second quarter with a third-and-eight situation on the Orange 25-yard line.

SB Nation New York will be blogging live from the Carrier Dome during Thursday night’s home opener against Wake Forest. Check back to SBNY for in-game updates, observations and post-game reactions. Also, follow along on Twitter at SBNationNY and Jared_E_Smith.

Syracuse vs. Wake Forest: Pre-Game Predictions

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse University football is a 6 1/2-point favorites against the visiting Wake Forest University Demon Deacons Thursday night. I am a bit surprised that the Orange aren’t favored by a bit more. However, there is still isn’t a lot of confidence in this SU program, which last season had its first winning season since 2001.

For the season opener, I believe the Orange are just a better football team heading into the 2011 campaign than Wake Forest, which last season finished 3-9 (1-9 in the Atlantic Coast Conference). I think, SU will get a solid game from starting quarterback Ryan Nassib and the defense will be good enough against the Deacons for the Orange to win 20-10.

SB Nation New York will be blogging live from the Carrier Dome during Thursday night’s home opener against Wake Forest. Check back to SBNY for in-game updates, observations and post-game reactions. Also, follow along on Twitter at SBNationNY and Jared_E_Smith.

Syracuse vs. Wake Forest: Scouting The Demon Deacons

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Syracuse Vs. Wake Forest: Orange Begin New Season

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