Syracuse gets its second overtime win, this one over Virginia Tech

While he missed five games, Marlowe Wax Jr. made a big splash in his second game back. Wax capped a big day by forcing a fumble on the final play of overtime that Fadil Diggs recovered to score LeQuint Allen's third touchdown as the game-winning score as Syracuse became bowl eligible with a 38-31 home win over Virginia Tech.

The Orange (6-2, 3-2 ACC) trailed by 18 points early in the third quarter, but used a furious rally to take the lead early in the fourth quarter. The Hokies (5-4, 3-2) responded with two points to go back on top by seven points, but SU marched to a scoring drive that put the game away with less than 30 seconds left in regulation.

The Hokies took a 7-0 lead on their second possession, after a long reverse pass that put them in the end zone just over six minutes into the game. After the Orange made its second three-and-out drive, Virginia Tech drove the length of the field for another score, extending its lead to 14-0 with 4:31 left in the first quarter were left.

SU responded with their most effective attack to date, but it failed and they settled for a 44-yard field goal attempt by Jackson Kennedy. His shot hit from the right cross on the first play of the second quarter and reduced the deficit to 14-3.

Marlowe Wax Jr. shared a sack with David Omopariola early on Tech's next drive and then finished it off with a solo sack. Wax's big plays set a trend that saw both defensive units take the lead, including the Hokies intercepting a deep pass from Kyle McCord in the end zone and later thwarting the final Syracuse drive of the half by hitting Darrell Gill Jr. after one Turn off the conclusion. The turnovers helped Virginia Tech maintain its 14-3 lead into halftime.

The Orange couldn't get a first down early in the third quarter, but the Hokies had no problems and went for a touchdown to extend their lead to 21-3 midway through the quarter. SU responded quickly, taking just over 90 seconds to score its first touchdown of the day when Justus Ross-Simmons caught a short pass, made a tackle and took off for a 55-yard touchdown. Kennedy's extra point put Syracuse up 21-10 with just over six minutes left in the third period.

Syracuse scored two points in as many drives when LeQuint Allen jumped over the top from a yard out for a touchdown. Trebor Pena tied the game with a 41-yard gain on a screen pass two plays earlier, and Oronde Gadsden II then grabbed McCord's two-point conversion with a sliding catch in the back of the end zone. The Orange trailed 21-18 with just under three minutes left in the quarter.

The defense kept things moving as Duce Chestnut forced a fumble and Wax pounced on the ball at the VT 39. Four plays later, McCord and Ross-Simmons connected on another short pass, and once again Ross-Simmons evaded a tackle and took off for a 28-yard touchdown. Kennedy's extra point was blocked, giving SU a 24-21 lead after just one play in the fourth quarter.

Virginia Tech struck back with a touchdown to take a 28-24 lead less than four minutes into the quarter, then extended the lead to seven with a field goal with 5:16 left.

Syracuse responded with another touchdown drive, marching 75 yards in 15 plays for a touchdown. Allen jumped over the pile again from a yard out to tie the score, and Kennedy made the extra point to tie the game at 31-31 with :29 remaining in regulation.

The Orange capitalized on their momentum in the first overtime and quickly scored when Allen turned the second play of the game into his third touchdown run of the day, this time from nine yards out. Kennedy used the extra point to give SU a 38-31 lead and set the stage for the final defensive stand.

Allen's big day, combined with a shot from Ross-Simmons, was a meaningful part of the Syracuse offense. Along with his three touchdowns, Allen had 158 yards from scrimmage, including 121 yards on 21 rushing attempts. Ross-Simmons had his first four catches for the Orange for 88 yards and two scores. McCord recovered from a slow first half to go 24 of 35 for 280 yards through the air, with Pena catching seven passes to give the team the lead.

In addition to his 1.5 sacks, fumble recovery and forced fumble, Wax had eight total tackles, second on SU behind Devin Grant's ten stops. Duce Chestnut forced a fumble and Diggs recovered, while Rashard Perry got a sack and David Omopariola was credited with half a sack.

—-

Chat about this story and all things Syracuse and Syracuse recruiting on our premium message board Cuse Classified!

Follow us on Twitter @TheJuiceOnlineHow us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram @SUJuiceOnline and listen to our podcast.

Tips/Questions/Concerns? Email recruiting analyst Charles Kang here.

Not a subscriber to The Juice Online? Subscribe today to gain access to all of our premium content and message board community.