Syracuse Loses At Cincinnati, 35-24

Saturday, November 3

Cincinnati, Ohio

12:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

4-5 , 3-2

Cincinnati

6-2 , 2-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Syracuse

Cincinnati

Jerome Smith scored his first touchdown of the season in the third quarter.

Photo by: Charles Wainwright

11/3/2012 1:15:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Postgame Notes | Cincinnati 35, Syracuse 24 | Photo Gallery

In a game that included six lead changes, the Orange lost at Cincinnati, 35-24. Syracuse is now 4-5 overall and moves to 3-2 in the BIG EAST. Senior quarterback Ryan Nassib threw 23 completions for 286 yards and one touchdown. He now has 8,214 career passing yards. Nassib has joined Marvin Graves (1990-93) and Donovan McNabb (1995-98) as the only signal callers in Orange history to throw for 8,000 yards. Nassib also broke his own school season record for passing yards (2,685 set in 2011) against the Bearcats. He has 2,773 yards this year.

Jerome Smith recorded his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game, gaining 116 yards on 21 carries, and scored his first touchdown this season on a one-yard run in the third quarter.

Alec Lemon led the Orange receiving corps with seven receptions for 101 yards and one touchdown. It was Lemon's 24th consecutive game with a catch. Lemon also topped 2,000 career yards and sits at fifth on the Orange's all-time list with 2,095 yards.

Strong safety Shamarko Thomas led the defense with a career-high 14 tackles. He now has 241 career tackles, which ranks seventh all-time amongst Syracuse defensive backs.

To open up the game, an Orange fumble on the initial kickoff return set the Bearcats up on the Syracuse 28 yard-line. Cincinnati took advantage of the SU turnover and George Winn rushed for a five-yard touchdown 1:27 into the game. The extra point by Tony Miliano gave UC an early, 7-0, lead.

With less than five minutes left in the first quarter, UC fumbled on a punt return, giving the Orange its first chance in the red zone. Llewyen Coker recovered the fumble and put SU on the Bearcat's 11-yard line. At 3:46, Nassib ran for a one-yard touchdown and Ross Krautman's kick was good, tying the game, 7-7.

On the next Cincinnati play, Ri'Shard Anderson intercepted Munchie Legaux's pass at the 45-yard line, giving the Orange offense another chance to go to work. The nine-play, 38-yard drive ended with a 24-yard field goal by Krautman with 1:45 left in the quarter.

The second quarter opened up with a quick Bearcat touchdown. Legaux handed the ball off to George Winn who completed a 37-yard pass to Travis Kelce who put Cincinnati up, 14-10, seven seconds into the quarter.

On the ensuing Orange possession, Krautman's 25-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Brandon Mills.

On Cincinnati's next possession, SU defensive tackle Eric Crume forced and recovered a fumble. The Orange took advantage of the turnover, with Nassib capping a 10-play, 89-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Lemon. Krautman's kick put SU up 17-14. The scoring drive included a 42-yard pass from Nassib to Lemon.

All of Syracuse's points in the first half came off of turnovers by the Bearcats.

The Bearcats took back the lead at 10:53 in the third quarter with a one-yard touchdown run by Winn. Miliano's kick was good, giving Cincinnati a 21-17 advantage.

Smith scored his first touchdown this season on a one-yard run that capped an 11-play, 75-yard drive at 6:39 in the third quarter and the Orange were up, 24-21.

With two minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Bearcat's took a 28-24 lead after a 13-yard catch by Travis Kelce. Cincinnati tacked on another touchdown at 14:22 in the fourth quarter, extending its lead for the final time, 35-24.

Winn rushed for 165 yards on 30 attempts and tallied three touchdowns. He also threw for one touchdown. Legaux recorded 11 completions for 124 yards.

SU returns to the Carrier Dome for a Homecoming contest against Louisville on November 10.Tickets are available online, in person at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B), or by calling 1-888-DOMETIX.