The Syracuse Orange have turned three Cincinnati Bearcats turnovers into three scores, and the result is a 17-14 lead in a Big East Conference football game that has reached the conclusion of the first half.
The Orange (4-4, 3-1 Big East) used a 14-yard touchdown reception by senior wide receiver Alec Lemon from quarterback Ryan Nassib and an extra point from kicker Ross Krautman to earn an unexpected 3-point lead that was setup by a big turnover by Cincinnati.
Ahead 14-10, the Bearcats drove inside SU's 10-yard line but gave the ball to the Orange when running back Ralph Abernathy was stripped by defensive lineman Eric Crume, who recovered the loose ball at the SU 11-yard line.
The turnover was Cincinnati's third of half. The second was an interception thrown by quarterback Munchie Legaux, which led to a 24-yard field goal by Krautman, and a muffed punt, which helped setup an Orange touchdown that tied the game at 7-7 with 3:46 to go in the first quarter.
Cincinnati running back George Winn helped score both of the Bearcats' touchdowns. The first was a five-yard run, which came five plays after SU turned the ball over on the game's opening kickoff.
The second was a trick play that featured the senior taking a handful on a 4th-and-2 situation at the SU 37-yard line and then jump throwing the ball to tight end Travis Kelce, who ran untouched into the end zone. The score gave the Bearcats a 14-10 lead.
Statically, Syracuse leads in total yards (312-247) and first downs (15-11), but most importantly has forced three turnovers that have all led to points.