Rutgers Defeats SU In 2OT, 19-16

Saturday, October 1

Syracuse, N.Y.

12:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

3-2 , 0-1

Rutgers

3-1 , 1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Rutgers

Syracuse

Ri'Shard Anderson had SU's first fumble recovery for a touchdown since 2006

Photo by: Charles Wainwright

10/1/2011 12:59:09 PM | Football

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Head Coach Doug Marrone Press Conference Transcript
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With Rutgers (3-1, 1-0) leading 19-16 in the second overtime following a 47-yard field goal from San San Te, the Scarlet Knights recovered a fumble by Antwon Bailey on the RU 20-yard line to secure a come-from-behind win against Syracuse (3-2, 0-1) in front of 42,152 fans at the Carrier Dome.

The Orange defensive corps forced four turnovers during the game, including a fumble recovery that was returned 66-yards for a touchdown by Ri'Shard Anderson in the first quarter.

Senior quarterback Ryan Nassib was 15-of-32 on the day for 164 yards and three interceptions, while Bailey ran for 124 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown.

Dyshawn Davis led the charge for the SU defense with six tackles, including four for a loss of yards and two sacks. Dan Vaughan contributed a career-high 15 tackles, while Anderson, Torrey Ball and Marquis Spruill each registered a fumble recovery.

On the first play from scrimmage, Bailey's eight-yard run up the middle resulted in a forced fumble by Jamal Merrell, positioning the Scarlet Knights on the SU 30-yard line.

The Orange responded with a huge play on the defensive end as Davis leveled RU running back Jawan Jamison in the backfield, forcing a fumble. Anderson then scooped up the loose ball and ran it back 66-yards for a touchdown. It was the first time since Jerry Mackey in 2006 that an Orange fumble recovery was returned for a touchdown.

On third-and-12 from their 32-yard line in the second quarter, Rutgers fumbled the snap out of the shutgun and was recovered by Ball. The offense, however, gave the ball right back to the Scarlet Knights on the next play as Nassib was picked off on first-and-10 from the RU 26-yard line by Justin Francis.

Rutgers responded with an 11-play, 60-yard drive, capped by a 27-yard field goal from Te with 7:25 left in the first half.

After forcing a three-and-out to start the second half, the Orange pieced together a six-play, 93-yard drive in 2:22, capped by a Bailey three-yard run up the middle. Bailey also had a 36-yard dash down the left sideline during SU's longest drive of the season.

The defense came up with another big play on the subsequent Rutgers possession as Phillip Thomas intercepted his third pass of the season on a third-and-10 play from the Scarlet Knight 26-yard line. SU, however, could not extend its lead as Ross Krautman missed a 39-yard field goal.

The SU defense ended Rutgers' next drive with 4:18 left in the third quarter when Mikhail Marinovich sacked Gary Nova, forcing the replacement quarterback to fumble, and Spruill pounced on the loose ball on the RU 16-yard line. The offense then gave the ball right back four plays later as Nassib's pass on first-and-goal was tipped and intercepted on the Rutgers one-yard line by David Rowe.

Rutgers narrowed the Syracuse lead to 13-6 with 10:43 left in regulation following an eight-play, 35-yard drive capped by a 33-yard field goal from Te.

Krautman came on to attempt a 44-yard field goal with 6:34 left in the fourth quarter, but the kick was blocked and returned to the SU 46-yard line by Marcus Cooper.

The Scarlet Knights tied the score at 13 four minutes later on Sanu's three-yard touchdown catch, ending an 11-play, 46-yard drive.

After the teams traded field goals during the first overtime, Te hit a 47-yard field goal to give the Scarlet Knights a 19-16 lead for good.

Syracuse football letterwinner John Lally, the 2011 Zunic Award winner, was honored during the game. Lally was an offensive guard for the Orange from 1979-81.

The Orange will head back on the road next weekend to battle with Tulane on Oct. 8 at 8:00 p.m. at the Superdome.