Wake Forest University
Syracuse
Syracuse Sneaks Past Wake Forest 36-29 in Overtime
9/2/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 1, 2011
Final Stats | Notes | AP Photo Gallery 
| Finals Stats (PDF)
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -Syracuse rallied from a 15-point fourth quarter deficit to edge Wake Forest 36-29 in overtime in Thursday evening's season opener at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y.
The Demon Deacons led for most of the game, building up a 29-14 advantage on a Jimmy Newman field goal with 11:02 remaining, but an apparent leg injury that forced starting quarterback Tanner Price to leave the game just before the score proved to be a momentum changer.
The Orange scored two touchdowns in a 1:19 span to tie the game at 29-29 with 7:07 to play. It looked like Syracuse might earn the win in regulation, but Kyle Wilber blocked a late 32-yard field goal attempt by Ross Krautman, leaving the game to be decided in overtime.
Syracuse went on offense first in the extra frame and scored on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Nassib to Vad Chew. Josh Harris picked up two yards on the ground on the Deacons' first offensive play in overtime, but three incompletions by Ted Stachitas ended the game.
The Deacons put up 419 yards of offense in the contest, led by Price who completed 19-of-32 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns before being forced to leave the game.
Chris Givens caught eight passes for a career-high 178 yards and two touchdowns. Michael Campanaro set new career highs with seven receptions for 80 yards and his first-career receiving touchdown.
Josh Harris led the Demon Deacons on the ground, picking up 72 yards on 22 carries.
Jimmy Newman tied a career high with three field goals, though his miss from 33 yards in the first quarter snapped his school-record streak of 12 consecutive field goals made.
On the defensive side of the ball, Cyhl Quarles led the Demon Deacons with 10 tackles, tying a career high. Scott Betros set a new personal best with nine tackles.
Nassib paced Syracuse from the quarterback position, completing 20 of 28 passes for 178 yards. Bailey led all players with 123 rushing yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns. Chew and Provo each had a receiving touchdown for the Orange.
The Deacons moved the ball well on their second drive, going deep into Orange territory before Jimmy Newman knocked home a 38-yard field goal to put Wake on the board at 3-0. A 37-yard pass from Price to Givens brought Wake Forest to the Syracuse 27-yard line. The Demon Deacons would get as close as the Syracuse 13-yard line, but a fumble pushed them back forcing them to settle for a field goal.
Wake's second score was a result of good field position. The Deacs started at their own 47-yard line and moved into Syracuse's half of the field on a 13-yard pass from Price to Givens. Harris rushed for seven yards to get Wake inside the 30-yard line, and shortly after, Newman connected from 37 yards to extend the Deacons' lead to 6-0.
The Orange took their first lead with 9:29 remaining in the first half on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Nassib to Nick Provo. Antwon Bailey had helped out the Syracuse cause with a 10-yard rush for a first down earlier in the drive.
Wake took the lead right back on the first play of the drive as Price found Givens behind the safety for a 60-yard touchdown reception to make the score 13-6.
Price pushed the Wake Forest advantage to 20-7 with a beautiful 16-yard pass that found Michael Campanaro on a wheel route in the back corner of the end zone for his first career receiving touchdown.
Syracuse pulled within a score at 20-14 on a Bailey one-yard touchdown run with 5:33 to play in the third quarter, but Wake Forest answered back on the following drive. Price kept the offense on the field with a quarterback sneak on fourth down. On the following play, Price found Givens in the flat and the speedy receiver sprinted past the Syracuse defense for a 22-yard touchdown. Newman missed the extra point, making the score 26-14 in Wake's favor.
On the following drive, Nikita Whitlock forced a fumble that was recovered by Mike Olson to give the Deacons the ball on Syracuse's 30-yard line. Tanner Price hit Terence Davis at the 2-yard line, but a holding call nullified the play, forcing a field goal attempt. Jimmy Newman connected from 40 yards to extend the Deacon lead to 29-14.
The Orange answered with a 74-yard touchdown drive that was finished off by a Nassib 2-yard pass to Adam Harris. After forcing a Wake Forest three-and-out, Bailey ripped off a 57-yard touchdown run and Nassib found Van Chew for the game-tying two-point conversion.
Syracuse looked prime to steal the game as the Orange drove deep into Wake Forest territory as the clock ticked down in the fourth quarter, but Ross Krautman's 32-yard attempt with 2:14 remaining in the game was blocked by Kyle Wilber. The Deacs ran out the clock rather than risk a costly turnover, sending the game to overtime.
The Orange struck first in overtime. Nassib hit Chew for a 16-yard completion on the first play of the extra period, and the two hooked-up a few plays later for a four-yard touchdown to put Syracuse up 36-29.
On Wake's offensive possession, Ted Stachitas threw three incomplete passes, including one that bounced off the fingertips of Givens in the end zone on fourth down.
Wake will play in front of a home crowd for the first time on Sept. 10 when it takes on NC State at 3:30 p.m. at BB&T Field. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports Net and can also be heard on the Wake Forest Radio Network from IMG College.
