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Syracuse University
Miami (OH)
Down to the Wire at Miami (OH)
9/29/2007 6:22:58 PM | Football
OXFORD, OH -- Despite a heroic defensive stand and a late-game offensive charge, Syracuse lost at Miami (OH), 17-14, in front of 16,800 fans. The Orange defenders forced three turnovers in the contest and held the RedHawks to one field goal in the second half. After forcing a punt in the final minutes, Syracuse took over at its own 11-yard line with 2:29 left. The RedHawk defense managed to stop the Orange and take possession on downs before running out the clock.
The Syracuse defense had a season-high three interceptions, including two by Joe Fields. A.J. Brown intercepted a tipped pass for the second consecutive week and this time added a 15-yard return. Ben Maljovec had a career-high 12 tackles. Andrew Robinson completed 17-of-36 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns. Taj Smith had six receptions for 81 yards and a score.
After the Orange defense limited the RedHawks to a field goal on a fourth quarter drive, holding the MU offense three straight times in a goal line series, Orange quarterback Andrew Robinson drove the Orange 67 yards in seven plays and found Taj Smith on a 28-yard scoring toss, narrowing the margin to 17-14 with 3:29 left in the contest. The drive included Robinson's 10-yard scramble for a first down and a 20-yard completion to Mike Williams. The Orange defense then stopped Miami (OH) to set up Syracuse's last chance.
Fields' first interception of the afternoon halted a lengthy Miami drive to open the second half. The Orange capitalized when Robinson finished off a five-play, 75-yard march by connecting with Williams on a 44-yard scoring strike. Pat Shadle's extra point narrowed the Miami advantage to 14-7 with 9:16 left in the third period.
The Orange defense had helped keep the game close in the third quarter when Jameel McClain blocked a 45-yard field goal attempt by the Red Hawks.
The two teams played through a scoreless first 15 minutes in the Saturday afternoon matchup. Syracuse had a scoring opportunity in the opening period, but Patrick Shadle's 50-yard field goal attempt was wide right.
The RedHawks took advantage of a second-quarter Syracuse fumble when Craig Mester recovered the ball at the Orange 40. Following a 39-yard Mike Kokal to Dustin Woods pass, Cory Jones plunged in from the one for the game's first score.
On Miami's next possession, the RedHawks, aided by a Syracuse penalty on fourth down and three yards to go at the Miami 32, drove 88 yards for a second touchdown. Jones capped the 14-play drive with a 13-yard run to paydirt.
Williams matched a career-best with five receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown. Curtis Brinkley led SU ground-gainers with 36 yards on 12 attempts.
Syracuse freshman Max Suter continued to excel in special-teams play. He had three kickoff returns for 96 yards, a 32.0 average. Suter, who entered the contest ranked second in the BIG EAST Conference and 27th nationally in kick-return average, extended his season total to 586 yards, good for 10th on the SU single-season list.
Fields is the first SU defender to have two interceptions in a game since he turned the trick against Connecticut last fall. Linebacker Jake Flaherty totaled eight stops, while defensive tackle Arthur Jones finished with seven stops, including three tackles for a loss, and a quarterback sack. Tony Jenkins had Syracuse's other quarterback sack and finished with six tackles and a forced fumble.
Rob Long punted eight times for 334 yards, good for a 41.7-yard average. The game marked the first time Syracuse and Miami (OH) had squared off at Yager Stadium in Oxford. The Orange now lead the overall series, 3-1.
Syracuse hosts its BIG EAST Conference home opener next Saturday when West Virginia comes to the Carrier Dome (12:00 p.m., ESPN Regional Television). Tickets are available online (click here) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (888-DOMETIX). Fans are invited to use the 'Print at Home' ticket feature to avoid waiting in lines at the Dome.
