Syracuse 38-31 Virginia Tech (November 2, 2024) Game Recap

SYRACUSE, NY – Overtime for Syracuse means it's time for LeQuint Allen.

The Orange running back forced overtime with a 1-yard run with 29 seconds left in regulation and ran it in from 9 yards out in the extra session to give Syracuse a 38-31 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday , after overcoming a 21-3 deficit midway through the third quarter.

It was the second overtime win for the Orange this season and the second time Allen scored the game-winning goal.

“As you can see in overtime, it’s LeQuint time,” Syracuse coach Fran Brown said. “Just give LeQuint the ball.”

Allen scored three scores, gained 121 yards on 21 carries and had five catches for 37 yards.

“He can catch, he can play safety, he can play outside linebacker, he can play wide receiver, he can play wildcat quarterback. “He can do it all. That is his passion. He’s doing it right… he’s special, man, he’s a special kid,” Brown added.

With the win, Syracuse became bowl eligible for the third consecutive season for the first time since appearing in five straight bowls from 1995 to 1999.

“It could have happened,” Brown said. “The bowl game wasn’t the mission. That's something we wanted to achieve along the way. I knew we were good enough.”

Kyle McCord led Syracuse (6-2, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) to a 24-21 lead with 14:22 left in the game after Justus Ross-Simmons completed two pass plays of 28 and 55 yards, the first career wide receiver touchdowns and a 1-yard run by Allen, the first of his three touchdowns.

Collin Schlee, making his first start for Virginia Tech as a last-minute replacement for the Kyron Drones, passed for a touchdown and ran for another as the Hokies were denied their fourth straight win.

After Syracuse took the lead, Virginia Tech (5-4, 3-2 ACC) marched down the field and Malachi Thomas ran in from 15 yards out to help the Hokies take the lead, 28-24, with 11:04 left to recapture. A 27-yard field goal by John Love with 5:16 left appeared to end the game.

But the Orange responded with a 14-play, 75-yard drive, tying the game at 31 on Allen's run.

After Allen scored in overtime, Schlee fumbled at the Syracuse 14. The ball was recovered by Fadil Diggs and the Orange had the victory.

The win helped change the November swoon narrative for Syracuse. Coming into the game, the Orange were just 12-32 in November since joining the ACC in 2013.

“I think in previous years the guys might have stopped when it was 21-3,” McCord said. “There is no giving up in this team, there is no panic on the sidelines. We just keep swinging until the end. Winning this first race in November I think will be good for the momentum.”

Drones was forced out of the game due to a lower body injury. Running back Bhayshul Tuten, fifth in the nation with 950 yards, also did not play for the Hokies because of an ankle injury. Jeremiah Coney gained 96 yards and Thomas added 73.

Schlee, a redshirt senior transfer from UCLA and making his first start for the Hokies, was 16 of 24 for 206 yards while the Hokies' running attack yielded 249 yards by committee.

“Tremendous performance by our team, especially our backup quarterback and some running backs,” Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry said. “We made too many mistakes to beat a good team away from home.”

McCord was 24 of 35 yards for 280 yards. For the first time this season, he failed to throw for at least 300 yards.

DeLane's “De Man”

Cornerback Mansoor DeLane intercepted a pass and forced a fumble for the Hokies.

Wax has the shine

Syracuse linebacker Marlowe Wax had 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss in his second game back from injury.

Takeaways

Virginia Tech: It's a bitter pill for the Hokies. They had control of the game and let it slip away, but Schlee showed he was more than a capable substitute.

Syracuse: The Orange have now set the stage for a strong finish to the season with winnable games against Boston College, Cal and UConn before a season finale against No. 5 Miami.

Next

Virginia Tech: The Hokies return home to face No. 11 Clemson on Saturday.

Syracuse: The Orange took on Boston College on Saturday.

Get AP Top 25 poll alerts and updates throughout the season. Sign up here. AP College Football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football