Syracuse overcomes costly mistakes to escape with a thrilling overtime win in Vegas

In a rollercoaster of a game that saw momentum swing throughout Friday night, the Syracuse Orange (4-1, 1-0) overcame several costly errors and a fourth-quarter deficit to storm back and defeat the #25 UNLV Rebels ( 4-1) to beat, 1-0) 44-41 in extra time.

Syracuse jumped out to a 14-0 lead, gave up 21 straight points, immediately regained a 10-point lead, saw it completely squandered, and still capitalized on it in the end. LeQuint Allen (19 carries, 71 yards) scored the game-winning touchdown as the Orange earned their first road win of the year and second AP Top 25 win of the season.

On a wild day where both teams totaled 846 yards of offense, Kyle McCord went 40/63 with 355 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Leading the way on the receiving front were Oronde Gadsden (10 catches for 142 yards), Jackson Meeks (8 catches for 67 yards) and Trebor Pena (8 catches for 67 yards). Both teams also combined for 16 penalties for 164 yards.

Syracuse's defense showed the right tone and forced UNLV into a three-pointer in the first minute of the game. On the Orange's first drive, McCord threw two quick passes to Allen and Gadsden for a first down, then hit Pena for a 31-yard catch into Rebels territory. A nine-yard shovel pass from McCord set up Allen for an easy touchdown, capping an efficient nine-play 75-yard drive.

UNLV responded first on its second drive, getting to the Syracuse 28-yard line. However, unsportsmanlike conduct by Rebels WR Casey Cain and a botched snap on the very next play ultimately led to a Syracuse stop on third-and-long.

The Orange's offense continued without major problems on their next attack. A 39-yard reception by Gadsden moved Syracuse into UNLV territory. A few plays later, Allen capped the first quarter with a three-yard touchdown run to seal the deal with another impressive drive, this time 87 yards in nine plays, giving Syracuse an early 14-0 lead.

After two stalled drives out of the gate, the Rebels finally found their groove on offense. UNLV began the second quarter with a 42-yard run by Jai'Den Thomas, who eventually set up a six-yard touchdown pass from Williams to Kaleo Ballungay.

In the second quarter, the Rebels suddenly regained momentum. Syracuse's next drive ended after just six plays, then Williams hit Ricky White III on a 53-yard catch-and-run slant route to give UNLV the lead and score. One player later, Williams came on to tie the game at 14:14.

Self-inflicted mistakes soon became Syracuse's worst enemy. Two penalties put the Orange on third-and-25, then UNLV didn't even let Jack Stonehouse deflect a punt attempt. Two plays later, it was Cain's turn to score a touchdown. In doing so, UNLV secured its third straight touchdown of the quarter.

Syracuse ended the first half better, with two big catches by Gadsden and a 14-yard run by Allen turning a 16-play, six-minute drive into a chip-shot field goal for Jadyn Oh. UNLV led Syracuse 21-17 at halftime.

Just as things were going downhill, Syracuse's Vegas luck turned in the third quarter.

In a crucial try early in the second half, a 26-yard run by Yasin Willis started another well-developed sequence of play for the Orange. Facing third-and-goal, Allen caught a pass near the sideline and ran it into the end zone – his third score of the game – to cap off another long drive (12 plays, 75 yards). to put Syracuse back in the lead 24-21.

On UNLV's next drive, pressure from Justin Barron led to a bad pass from Williams that was deflected and intercepted by Deuce Chestnut – the first turnover of the game on both sides of the ball. One play later, Willis took off 21 yards for his first career touchdown. That's how Syracuse regained a 10-point lead after scoring two touchdowns in 58 seconds.

UNLV responded on its next drive and got to the goal line, but the Orange were able to stop the Rebels with a short field goal. Unfortunately, a promising drive not only ended but also resulted in UNLV blocking the punt all the way to the end zone. At the start of the fourth quarter, both teams were now tied at 31.

Starting at their own 31-yard line, the Orange were able to mount a 13-play drive all the way to the red zone. Facing third-and-8, Jackson Woodard made a great interception to give UNLV the ball back with eight minutes left.

The rebels took advantage of the mistake. UNLV's offense rushed 94 yards downfield in five minutes, setting up another touchdown pass from Williams to White and putting the Orange behind 38-31 with three minutes left.

Starting from their own 25, Gadsden and Jackson Meeks brought the Orange to the UNLV 24 line with catches. Facing fourth-and-1, Allen deflected a tackle in the backfield, picked up the first down and drew a personal foul penalty. With 27 seconds left, Meeks made an impressive catch down the sideline in the end zone on third-and-goal to tie the game at 38-38 and send it to overtime.

With UNLV getting the ball first, Syracuse forced a three-pointer that led to the Rebels kicking a 41-yard field goal. Now it was the Orange's turn on the offensive and things got even wilder. Syracuse ended up inside the 10, but a holding penalty pushed the Orange back. On the next play, a UNLV defender was called for roughing the passer, giving the Orange another first down.

A few plays later, a power run from Allen on the outside over Woodard gave the Orange the win.

Somehow and someway, Syracuse comes out with a win in Vegas. The Orange's October road trip continues next Saturday on the road against the NC State Wolfpack (3-2, 0-1).