Syracuse loses at Cincinnati, 35-24
(SU ATHLETICS) - The Orange was defeated at Cincinnati, 35-24 in a game that included seven lead changes. Syracuse is now 4-5 overall and moves to 3-2 in the BIG EAST. SU was plagued by penalties at the Bearcats, committing 12 for a loss of 104 yards.
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 now has 2,773 yards this year.
Jerome Smith had 21 attempts for 116 yards. This is his third consecutive game with 100-yards rushing. Smith also 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.
Leading the SU defense was Shamarko Thomas 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 up, 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 attempted a 25-yard field goal which was blocked by Brandon Mills.
A fumble by the Bearcats gave the Orange back the ball and momentum. Eric Crume forced and recovered the fumble for SU. The Orange took advantage of the turnover, capping its 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, putting Cincinnati up, 21-17.
Jerome Smith scored his first touchdown this season on a one-yard run that was the result of an 11-play, 75-yard drive at 6:39 in the third quarter. 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.
Copyright 2012 Newport Television LLC All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
