Lemon Sets Record at Minnesota

Saturday, September 22

Minneapolis, Minn.

8:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

1-3

Minnesota

4-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Syracuse

Minnesota

Alec Lemon (15) became Syracuse's career leader in receptions at Minnesota on Saturday night.

9/22/2012 8:43:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Minnesota 17, Syracuse 10 | Syracuse Postgame Notes (.pdf)
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MINNEAPOLIS -- Alec Lemon became the Syracuse career leaders in receptions with nine catches for 106 yards, increasing his career catch total to 145 in the Orange's 17-10 loss at Minnesota in front of a sold-out crowd of 50,805 at TCF Bank Stadium.

Lemon had four first-half receptions to pass Shelby Hill and Scott Schwedes, who had shared the record with 139 catches.

The Gophers scored first, driving 58 yards on five plays in the first quarter. The march featured a 40-yard pass from Max Shortell to Devin Crawford-Tufts. The surge was capped by a two-yard run by Donnell Kirkwood and the hosts moved ahead 7-0 after the ensuing extra point.

A 33-yard field goal by Ross Krautman near the end of the first period narrowed Minnesota's advantage to 7-3 and the score stood up through two quarters. The Orange moved 67 yards on 13 plays to set up Krautman's three-pointer. Quarterback Ryan Nassib was six-of-eight through the air on the drive with three of the receptions by Lemon.

Minnesota responded to SU's field goal by driving into Syracuse territory. An 18-yard pass from Shortell to Crawford-Tufts put the Gophers at SU 24 and an interference call on Syracuse presented Minnesota with first and goal at the nine. The Orange defense held and Wettstein missed his second three-pointer of the game, this time from 26 yards out.

Minnesota added another touchdown on the first drive of the third quarter, moving 87 yards on 12 plays while utilizing 4:47 on the game clock before extending the lead to 14-3. Shortell hit Issac Fruechte on a 34-yard pass and Kirkwood finished off the drive with a one-yard plunge.

Syracuse had two chances in the thlrd quarter but had drives stopped by turnovers. Nassib was intercepted at the Minnesota three after his arm was hit by a Gopher pass rusher. Later in the period, Ashton Broyld fumbled at the Minnesota 21.

Wettstein added on a 43-yard field goal with 3:20 left in the game, increasing the advantage to 17-3.

Syracuse fought until the end, scoring a touchdown drive as time wound down. Nassib hit Sales on a 14-yard scoring play with :46 seconds left and following Krautman's point-after-touchdown, the Gopher advantage was shaved to 17-10. It marked the fifth consecutive game that Sales had caught a touchdown pass.

The Orange attempted an onside kick, but Minnesota recovered and ran out the clock.

Nassib completed 21-of-31 passes for 228 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Jerome Smith led SU rushers with 52 yards on nine attempts. In addition to Lemon's work, Jarrod West had five catches for 56 yards.

Minnesota's Shortell finished 16-of 30 for 231 yards. Kirkwood had 28 carries for 99 yards and both Minnesota touchdowns.

Syracuse has a bye week before returning to action on October 5. The Orange open the BIG EAST Conference portion of the campaign by hosting Pittsburgh at 7:00 p.m. The game will be televised by ESPN. Tickets are available online, in person at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B), or by calling 1-888-DOMETIX.