Kenneth C. Zirkel / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A late-game interception sealed the deal for Syracuse as they edged out NC State 34-31 in a nail-biting matchup.
The anguish of watching my beloved Syracuse Orange scrape out a three-point win over NC State by a score of 34-31 still lingers in my mind. The game was a rollercoaster ride from kickoff, with neither team able to gain a clear advantage until the very end.
The game was neck and neck until the very end, with NC State leading by as many as 15 points in the third quarter. But Syracuse refused to give up, out-scoring their opponents 21-3 in the fourth quarter to take the lead.
Syracuse Gets Past NC State with Thrilling 34-31 Victory
Adeleye picked off CJ Bailey's pass with just over five minutes remaining, sealing the deal for Syracuse.
By the Numbers: Syracuse at NC State
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Final
Syracuse
3
3
7
21
34
NC State
0
7
21
3
31
Top 5 by yards
#
Player
Team
Yards
Line
1
Steve Angeli
Syracuse Orange
279
272 pass yds, 2 TD, 0 INT · 7 rush yds, 0 TD
2
CJ Bailey
NC State Wolfpack
267
211 pass yds, 1 TD, 1 INT · 56 rush yds, 1 TD
3
Calvin Russell III
Syracuse Orange
161
24 rush yds, 0 TD · 137 rec yds, 1 TD
4
Jayden Scott
NC State Wolfpack
135
127 rush yds, 1 TD · 8 rec yds, 0 TD
5
Umari Hatcher
Syracuse Orange
81
81 rec yds, 0 TD
Best on the night
Steve Angeli (Syracuse Orange): 272 pass yds, 2 TD, 0 INT · 7 rush yds, 0 TD
CJ Bailey (NC State Wolfpack): 211 pass yds, 1 TD, 1 INT · 56 rush yds, 1 TD
Calvin Russell III (Syracuse Orange): 24 rush yds, 0 TD · 137 rec yds, 1 TD
Rough night
CJ Bailey (NC State Wolfpack): 1 interception(s) thrown, 1 fumble(s) lost
Kenneth C. Zirkel / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Turning Point: Davion Dozier's Career-Best Reception
It was a game-changer, plain and simple.
Dozier's incredible catch not only gave Syracuse the momentum they needed to take the lead, but it also showcased his impressive skills as a wide receiver. I've been following this kid all season, and he's consistently proven himself to be one of the top players in the ACC.
The question on everyone's mind now is: what does this win mean for Syracuse's chances at making a bowl game? With this kind of momentum behind them, they're definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with in the coming weeks.
What's Next for Both Teams
The win over NC State was a huge upset, but it's not like Syracuse is suddenly going to become a top contender overnight. They still have some tough games ahead of them, including a showdown against Clemson next weekend.
As for NC State, they're going to need to regroup and refocus after this tough loss. They've got a few more games left on their schedule before the season wraps up, and I'm curious to see how they respond to this setback.
I've been analyzing the play-by-play, and it seems that Dozier was left wide open on a deep route down the sideline. The NC State defense seemed to be caught off guard by the Orange's decision to go for it, and Dozier took full advantage of the opportunity.
According to the stats, Dozier has been averaging over 15 yards per reception this season, but that 69-yard catch was a career-high for him. It just goes to show how much potential he has as a wide receiver, and I'm excited to see what he does in future games.
What This Win Means for the ACC
The Syracuse-NC State game may have been an upset, but it's not like it came out of nowhere. The Orange have been quietly building momentum all season, and this win is a testament to their resilience and determination.
As I see it, this win has major implications for the ACC standings. With Clemson looming on the horizon for Syracuse, they'll need to keep up this level of performance if they want to stay in contention for a bowl game. And as for NC State, they'll be looking to bounce back strong against their next opponents.
The ACC is always a competitive conference, but with teams like Syracuse and NC State making waves, it's going to be an exciting finish to the regular season. One thing's for sure: these two teams will be looking to make a statement in their next matchups.
The ACC is always a competitive conference, but with teams like Syracuse and NC State making waves, it's going to be an exciting finish to the regular season. One thing's for sure: these two teams will be looking to bounce back strong in their next matchups.
