Syracuse University
Virginia Tech
Orangemen Defeat No. 5/4 Virginia Tech
10/27/2001 5:54:40 PM | Football
BLACKSBURG, VA -- Sophomore Jamel Riddle's 51- yard punt return for a touchdown on the fourth play of the game helped set the tone for what resulted in Syracuse's 22-14 victory against No. 5/4 Virginia Tech.
The win, Syracuse's seventh in a row and first against a top-five team since 1991, helped the Orangemen improve to 7-2 overall and 4-0 in the BIG EAST. The last time SU decisioned a squad ranked among the top five was September 21, 1991 -- a 38-21 victory against #5/#5 Florida in the Carrier Dome.
Before a crowd of 53,662, Syracuse ended the Hokies' 16-game home-winning streak at Lane Stadium. Virginia Tech dropped to 6-1 this season and 3-1 in conference play.
It was Syracuse's first victory at Virginia Tech since a 35-21 win in 1987. The last time the Orangemen were victorious against a ranked team was Nov. 28, 1998 when they defeated No. 19/20 Miami 66-13. SU's last road win against a ranked opponent was a 38-28 win at No. 13/14 Michigan on Sept. 12, 1998.
The Orangemen defense stifled the Virginia Tech offense throughout the game, forcing two fumbles and limiting the rushing game to 90 yards, 144 yards below the Hokies' season average. It is the first time in 73 games that the Hokies were held to just 14 points, dating back to Oct. 7, 1995 when Virginia Tech defeated Navy 14-0.
Syracuse sacked Virginia Tech quarterback Grant Noel five times, equaling the sack total yielded by the Hokies in the previous six games combined. Two sacks came from Christian Ferrara and one each from defensive end Dwight Freeney, defensive tackle Mark Holtzman and linebacker Clifton Smith.
The Orange won the coin toss and chose to keep the wind at its back and kickoff. Smith sacked Virginia Tech quarterback Grant Noel on the second play from scrimmage and the SU defense forced a Virginia Tech punt after three plays. Riddle took the punt at the Syracuse 49-yard line, made a quick move to his right and then turned the play up the middle of the field until he reached the endzone.
Tailback James Mungro scored on a one-yard run and Syracuse took a 14-0 with 7:35 to play in the first quarter. The SU drive started at the Virginia Tech 17-yard line, after strong safety Quentin Harris recovered a Virginia Tech fumble that occurred on a mishandled option pitch.
With seven seconds to go in the second quarter Virginia Tech punter Vinnie Burns mishandled a snap. David Tyree blocked Burns's punt at the Hokies' nine-yard line. The block set up a 26-yard field goal by Collin Barber. The Orange had a 17-0 lead at the half.
On its first possession of the second half Virginia Tech used a 14-play 79-yard drive to make the score 17-7. Keith Burnell scored on a two-yard run for the Hokies. Barber added a 45-yard field goal, giving SU a 20-7 lead with 12:25 to play in the game.
Attempting to rally, Noel connected with Shawn Witten for a 17-yard touchdown pass. The score cut the SU lead to 20-14. On the drive Virginia Tech used 11 plays to cover 65 yards.
With Virginia Tech needing the ball back to complete the rally, SU quarterback R.J. Anderson hit Tyree for a 13-yard pass play on third-down and 10. The Syracuse drive ended and Syracuse punter Mike Shafer pinned the Hokies inside their own 10-yard line. On the ensuing drive Holtzman's sacked Noel for a safety and ended the Virginia Tech rally.
The 22 points scored by SU are the most points given up by the Hokies this year. Anderson led a turnover-free Orange offense. Anderson was 6-of-17 passing and had 63 yards rushing on 21 carries. Mungro led SU in rushing with 102 yards on 23 carries. Mungro's 11 career 100-yard rushing games are tied with Jim Brown for fifth-place in school history. Mungro's 2,558 career-rushing yards ranks sixth in Syracuse history. Mungro's 156 career points ranks 10th in school history. SU is 9-2 when Mungro rushes for more than 100 yards in a game and 7-1 when Anderson starts at quarterback. The Orangemen have now won 36 consecutive games when they have attempted 20 or less passes.
