Syracuse University
Cincinnati
rv/rv Syracuse Tames Bearcats, 31-7
10/30/2010 12:18:47 PM | Football
| rv/rv Syracuse 31, Cincinnati 7 | |
| Box Score | Syracuse 31, Cincinnati 7 |
| Postgame Notes | Syracuse Notes |
| Photo Gallery | View the Game in Pictures |
| Buy Tickets | 2010 Tickets |
| Whats Next? | 2010 Schedule |
CINCINNATI - rv/rv Syracuse (6-2, 3-1) scored 17 points off three turnovers to defeat Cincinnati (3-5, 1-2) at Nippert Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Orange improves to 6-2 on the season for the first time since 2001 and 3-1 in BIG EAST play for the first time since 2004, when it finished 4-2 in the league to earn a share of the conference title.
The Syracuse defense turned in a dominant performance, restricting the Bearcats to 23 yards in the first quarter, while holding them scoreless through the second half. The Orange defense has held opponents scoreless in 16-of-32 quarters this season, shutting out five in the second half while holding four of eight opponents to 10 points or less. Reigning national player of the week Doug Hogue led the defense with eight total tackles, including three for a loss of 12 yards.
Junior quarterback Ryan Nassib finished with 125 yards on 16-of-26 passing with a touchdown. Nassib has thrown at least one touchdown pass in eight consecutive games and has 14 touchdown passes this year, which is tied for eighth on the Syracuse single-season record list. Senior tight end Nick Provo led the Orange receiving corps with 40 yards on four catches, while senior running back Delone Carter registered his ninth-career 100-yard rushing game with 109 yards on 19 carries.
The defense came out strong in the first quarter, restricting Cincinnati to 21 yards on its opening drive, before forcing a three-and-out on the Bearcats second possession after the hosts gained only two yards on the drive.
The Orange was driving as the opening period expired, assembling the longest drive of the quarter with 44-yards. With fourth-and-three to go at the Cincinnati 46-yard line, Nassib found Provo for a second-quarter opening first down. SU captialized on the big fourth-down conversion as Nassib found junior wide receiver #Van Chew# in the end zone with a three-yard touchdown pass, giving the Orange a 7-0 advantage. The score capped a 14-play, 80-yard drive for Syracuse, lasting 6:33.
The Orange defense continued to overwhelm the Bearcats on their ensuing drive as senior linebacker Derrell Smith recovered a fumble on the first play, giving SU the ball back at the Cinncinati 19-yard line.
Redshirt senior Ryan Bartholomew helped SU capitalize, recovering a goal line fumble in the end zone to increase the advantage, 14-0. The first career score for Bartholomew capped a five-play, 15-yard drive for the Orange.
The offensive struggles continued for Cincinnati as senior defensive back Max Suter forced a fumble on the first play of the Bearcats drive, which sophomore safety Phillip Thomas recovered and returned 21-yards to the UC 19-yard line. The Orange capitalized on the hosts miscue once again as freshman Ross Krautman kicked a 26-yard field goal, building the buffer, 17-0.
The Bearcats cut the deficit as quarterback Chazz Anderson found D.J. Woods with a 33-yard touchdown pass, capping an eight-play, 62-yard drive to make it, 17-7.
Cincinnati opened the second half with the ball, driving 62-yards on 14 plays to the Syracuse 3-yard line before Smith turned the tables, intercepting an Anderson pass and returning it 60 yards to the Bearcats 37. It was the second career interception and first of the season for Smith and the longest interception return of the season for the Orange.
Syracuse capitalized on the Cincinnati miscue once again as Nassib found junior running back Antwon Bailey for a five-yard touchdown pass. It was the second career touchdown catch for Bailey, who ranks seventh on SU's career receptions by a running back list with 48. The play completed a four-play, 37-yard drive which increased the Syracuse lead, 24-7, with 7:15 remaining in the third quarter.
Cincinnati looked to spark its offense, electing to try for the first down on fourth-and-two on its first drive of the fourth quarter, but junior defensive end Mikhail Marinovich had a crucial pass breakup, forcing the Bearcats to turn the ball over on downs.
The Orange continued to build its lead with a 10-play, 42-yard fourth-quarter touchdown drive. Bailey found the end zone on a one-yard rush for his first rushing score of the season. Bailey had 18 yards on the ground in the drive, while Carter had 22 and Provo added a 13-yard reception. The score gave Syracuse a decisive 31-7 advantage with 7:31 remaining in the contest, which it maintained through the end of regulation to secure its third BIG EAST road victory for the first time since 2001.
Syracuse returns to the friendly confines of the Carrier Dome when its hosts Louisville on November 6 (12:00 p.m., BIG EAST Network). Tickets are available for the game online, at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B) and by phone (888-DOMETIX).
