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Syracuse University
Auburn
Orangemen Lose To No. 25 Auburn In 3OT, 37-34
9/29/2002 2:12:21 AM | Football
Box Score
AUBURN, AL - Auburn running back Carnell Willams rushed for the game-winning touchdown in the third overtime series as the 25th-ranked Tigers defeated Syracuse, 37-34, in front of 83,667 at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday night. SU is now 1-3 on the season. Auburn improved to 4-1.
Syracuse scored first in the third overtime as sophomore Collin Barber drilled a 44-yard field goal to give the Orangemen a 34-31 lead. Auburn answered on its possession as Williams swept around the left end from eight yards out and found the end zone for the game-winning score.
Williams finished with a game-high 202 yards rushing on 40 carries.
It was longest game in school history for Syracuse and the fourth overtime contest it has played in. The Orangemen needed two overtimes to defeat Pittsburgh, 24-17, in 2000. SU is 1-3 all-time in overtime games, losing to N.C. State in 1997, and to Rutgers in 1999.
Trailing 24-17 midway through the fourth quarter, SU quarterback Troy Nunes spelled starter R.J. Anderson, who left the game with an injury. Nunes led the offense on a 15-play, 80-yard drive, culminating with a 2-yard touchdown pass to senior David Tyree with 23 seconds remaining in regulation. Barber kicked the extra point to tie the game at 24-24, sending it into overtime. Nunes completed 7-of-8 passes for 62 yards on the drive.
The Auburn defense held in the first overtime and Barber's field goal attempt was thwarted because of a bad snap. SU redshirt freshman cornerback Jeremiah Mason blocked Damon Duval's 27-yard field goal attempt on third down to force a second overtime.
Williams scored on a 6-yard touchdown run in the second overtime, putting the Tigers up, 31-24. SU sophomore running back Walter Reyes answered with his second touchdown of the game on a 2-yard plunge. The extra point tied the score, 31-31, moving the game to a third overtime series.
SU scored first on a 27-yard field goal at 11:31 of the first quarter to take a 3-0 lead. Preseason All-American linebacker Clifton Smith set up the play with a 48-yard fumble return to the Auburn 17-yardline. It was the first field goal of the season for Barber.
Junior wide receiver Jamel Riddle returned an Auburn punt 85 yards for his second career punt return for a touchdown, putting SU up 10-0 at 9:23 of the first quarter. It was the longest punt return of Riddle's career.
The SU lead was increased to 17-0 after Reyes busted loose for a 68-yard scoring run with 3:27 remaining in the second quarter. Reyes finished the game with 106 yards on 13 carries.
The Tigers stormed back, scoring 24 unanswered points.
Duval began the Auburn comeback with a 34-yard field goal with 34 seconds remaining in the first half, pulling the Tigers within 17-3. A 1-yard quarterback sneak in the third quarter by Jason Campbell and a 7-yard pass from Campbell to Cooper Wallace in the fourth quarter tied the game at 17-17. The Tigers took their first lead of the game at 7:10 of the fourth when Campbell hit fullback Brandon Johnson on a 34-yard play action touchdown pass over the middle.
Nunes completed 9-of-11 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown to lead SU. Sophomore wide receiver Jared Jones led the Orange receiving corps with five catches for 56 yards, both career highs.
SU returns to the Carrier Dome on Saturday, Oct. 5 for Homecoming Game and BIG EAST Conference opener against Pittsburgh. The game kicks off at noon.
