Syracuse University outperformed the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) with a total yardage of 492 to 354. The Orange displayed a significant time of possession advantage, controlling the ball for 39:38 compared to UNLV’s 20:22.
Tight end Gadsden II set new Syracuse records for career receptions (94) and receiving yards (1,395) for a tight end, surpassing the previous records held by Nick Provo and Chris Gedney.
Quarterback McCord narrowly missed setting a school record for most passing attempts in a game, finishing with 63 attempts, just shy of Ryan Nassib’s 66 attempts against Northwestern in 2012. McCord’s 42 completions are now the third-best in the program’s history.
Running back Allen Jr. moved up to sixth place on Syracuse’s all-time receiving yards list among running backs, accumulating 553 yards, surpassing Walter Reyes.
Jayden Bellamy, a redshirt sophomore cornerback, led the team with seven tackles, while redshirt senior defensive end Fadil Diggs contributed six tackles, including two sacks. Syracuse has now won seven consecutive non-conference games and eight of their last 13 Friday night games.
Chesnut’s interception in the third quarter marked his sixth interception during his tenure at Syracuse.
Junior running back Allen had an impressive game, catching two touchdown passes and rushing for two, including the game-winning score, helping Syracuse (4-1) defeat #25 UNLV (4-1) with a score of 44-41 in overtime. Allen finished the game with 71 rushing yards on 19 attempts and caught nine passes for 58 yards and two touchdowns. Senior quarterback McCord also excelled, passing for over 300 yards for the fifth consecutive game with a career-high 40 completions on 63 attempts for 355 yards and three touchdowns. Redshirt junior tight end Gadsden II recorded a personal best with 10 receptions for 142 yards.
In the overtime period, UNLV was the first to possess the ball but Syracuse’s defense managed to hold them to a field goal attempt, which Cadden Chittenden successfully converted from 41 yards, putting UNLV ahead 44-41. Syracuse then responded with a five-play drive that reached the UNLV nine-yard line, but a penalty pushed them back. After a roughing the passer call provided a fresh set of downs, McCord connected with Gadsden on a nine-yard completion, setting up Allen for the game-winning touchdown run from one yard out.
The game began with McCord’s swift completion of 11 consecutive passes, leading to a 75-yard touchdown drive capped off by a nine-yard touchdown throw to Allen. The Orange would score again shortly after, with Allen capped off the second nine-play scoring drive with a three-yard rushing touchdown.
UNLV, facing an early 14-point deficit, responded with 21 unanswered points, including a touchdown pass from Williams to tight end Ballungay and later a 53-yard connection to Ricky White III, which allowed the Rebels to take the lead, changing the momentum of the game. Syracuse managed to narrow the gap just before halftime with a 21-yard field goal by Jayden Oh, ending the first half at 21-17 in favor of UNLV.
The second half saw Syracuse regain the lead through two touchdowns, including a six-yard score from Allen and a 21-yard touchdown run by Willis after Chesnut’s interception. However, UNLV clawed back to tie the game at 31-31 after a blocked punt resulted in a touchdown recovery.
As the clock wound down, McCord threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Meeks, tying the game at 38-38 and forcing overtime. Syracuse will continue their schedule with a road game against NC State on Saturday, October 12.