5 moments when Syracuse football got a little Vegas luck with its win over UNLV

Syracuse, NY – Every gambler knows that you won't leave Las Vegas with a win unless you get a little lucky.

Both teams had moments of joy in Syracuse's chaotic, back-and-forth 44-41 win over UNLV. The result gave Syracuse its second win over a ranked opponent this season and knocked the Rebels off college football's undefeated list.

UNLV's luck included scoring 14 points off of SU's poor special teams play, a high snap that served as the perfect excuse for quarterback Hajj Malik-Williams to escape the pocket for a 3-yard touchdown and soft chop Block call to run against the Orange in overtime.

However, Syracuse certainly has its share of good fortune. Here are five moments where the chips fell for SU in Vegas, including three crucial plays in the final two minutes of the game and in overtime.

8:48 left in the third quarter

Syracuse had just taken a 24-21 lead when UNLV scored from 27 on 2-and-8. Syracuse's Justin Barron pressured UNLV quarterback Hajj Malik-Williams, who tried to avoid a sack by throwing a short, sidearmed pass to his running back.

The pass fell behind Malik-Williams' receiver, but in his attempt to catch it one-handed, he deflected the ball right into the chest of a hard-finishing Duce Chestnut.

Chestnut did well to react quickly and squeeze the ball. Running back Yasin Willis rushed 21 yards for a touchdown on SU's first offensive play, giving the Orange a 31-21 lead.

14:06 left in the fourth quarter

With the game tied at 31 and a 3rd-and-1 for Syracuse at the 40-yard line, the Orange assessed a potentially damaging illegal substitution penalty after wide receiver Darrell Gill Jr. limped off the field.

On the next snap, UNLV defensive back Alexander Whitmore appeared to sack Kyle McCord at the 28-yard line.

Unfortunately for Whitmore, officials said he ended up in McCord's facemask during his rush. There was no particularly long or deliberate pulling on TV.

Instead of punting from its own end — a disastrous move for the Orange on Friday — Syracuse was gifted a first down.

The Orange would not score, but they would make 11 more offensive plays on the drive before handing the ball to UNLV on their 6-yard line. Attacks like these left the Rebels defense looking exhausted in the final stages of the game

1:33 left in the fourth quarter

Syracuse trailed 38-31 at the UNLV 33-yard line. Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord targeted Yasin Willis with a short pass over the middle.

McCord's throw to his young running back was high and Willis reached out a hand to try to catch it. Willis' shot sent the ball into the air, and UNLV rushing linebacker Mani Powell had a chance to snatch it but failed to catch it in a sprint.

Syracuse scored a touchdown and tied the game, but not without a second helping of luck.

:27 remaining in the fourth quarter

Syracuse faced a 2nd-and-goal from the 6-yard line on its final opportunity to force overtime when McCord tried to push a short pass into the hands of wide receiver Trebor Pena.

The ball hit UNLV safety Jackson Woodard right in the hands, but he dropped it. Syracuse tied the game on the next play.

Pro Football Focus rated McCord as a player with three turnover plays. The rebels were only able to secure one of them.

3rd and 20th in overtime

This situation was caused by a bit of bad luck after Syracuse was called for a weak chop block on 2nd-and-5.

Still, the Orange found themselves in poor position at the UNLV 24-yard line, facing a 3rd-and-20.

Since Jayden Oh was starting his first collegiate game as place kicker for the Orange and kicking issues were a problem early in the game, it would have been difficult to ask him to make a game-winning kick and force a second overtime period.

Luckily for the Orange, that question didn't need to be asked.

UNLV's Whitmore hit McCord shortly after he unleashed a throw to LeQuint Allen. The completion went for 1 yard, but a rough tackle by the passer gave the Orange another down. Three plays later, Allen scored the game-winning touchdown.

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