In a game with plenty of ramifications, Syracuse stepped up across the board to shock the college football world.
A historic comeback and strong play in the second half across the board propelled the Syracuse Orange (9-3, 5-3) to a huge upset win over the No. 6 Miami Hurricanes (10-2, 6-2), putting a fitting end to a regular season for the program.
Miami at one point had a 96.4% chance to win the game according to ESPN, but Syracuse rallied on offense to overcome what was once a 21-point deficit while the defense made timely plays that completely swung momentum in favor of the Orange. On both sides of the ball, there were plenty of heroics.
For the final time this regular season, here are your grades from the Orange’s 42-38 win over No. 6 Miami.
Quarterbacks: A+
As with most of this year, the highs begin and end with Kyle McCord spearheading what is one of the most productive passing offenses in the country. McCord went 26/36 (72%) and threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns. More importantly, a turnover-free game which prevented Miami from getting opportunities for its own elite offense and maintaining strong aggressiveness throwing the ball and testing the Hurricanes’ secondary all game. If this was high final game, it was a fitting way for his time with the Orange to conclude.
Running Backs: A
Coach Fran Brown said it himself: LeQuint Allen is the toughest player on the team. He absolutely played like it.
“Syracuse is back” @FranBrownCuse pic.twitter.com/y1fGLuzKF1
— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) December 1, 2024
Allen made all the big plays running the ball down the end, costing Miami its chance to get the ball back one last time. Both as a receiver and rusher, he kept the Hurricanes’ defense guessing repeatedly. The final numbers (22 carries for 82 yards, 2 TDs; six catches for 61 yards) don’t tell the whole story.
The only reason I can’t go the full A+ was Yasin Willis’ fumble which stalled out momentum when the game was tied at 28-28. To his credit, he still had 20 yards on his three carries.
Wide Receivers: A+
The dynamic duo of Trebor Pena (six catches for 128 yards, 21.3 YPC, one TD) and Jackson Meeks (seven catches for 15.7 YPC, two TDs) shined once again and stepped up in crucial moments. Again, Miami’s pass coverage was a big question mark and those receivers continuously thrived down field. Justus Ross-Simmons also had a catch for 23 yards.
Tight Ends: B
It was a mostly quiet day for Oronde Gadsden II, who finished with four catches for 50 yards (one of those catches being 25 yards). With that said, it was still necessarily to have someone of his caliber out there that Miami had to respect.
Offensive Line: B+
Okay please here me out: this was arguably the best Syracuse’s offensive line has played all year. Considering the veteran nature of Miami’s defensive line, it’s even more shocking they were able to hold up. Was there a false start at all during the game? Or a hold? The key stat: just two sacks allowed on the day. Allen was held in check during the first half, but those runs at the end were partially helped by some big-time blocks late.
Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
Defensive Line: C+
Across the board, stopping Miami’s offense always posed a challenge. I still think a C+ is completely fair for the defensive line: Damien Martinez (10 carries for 84 yards) was super productive in his limited time, but Mark Fletcher Jr. (13 carries for 46 yards) did not. Syracuse also improved at getting to the quarterback despite just one sack in the game. Even when Miami made a crazy play, it took plenty for that to happen.
Linebackers: C+
Similar story with the linebackers as the defensive backs: nothing super eye-popping on the stat sheet, but Justin Barron was all over the field and so was Marlowe Wax. Both helped to at least slow down Miami’s run game. Nothing damaging in terms of penalties from what I could recall, either.
Defensive Backs: B
This is arguably the most controversial grade on the board. Miami’s receivers killed Syracuse for most of the game. Whether dubious or not, a lot of Syracuse’s defensive penalties came on pass interference and defensive holding. Cam Ward averaged almost 10 yards a pass. Yet, Devin Grant hit and fumble return for a touchdown completely swung momentum in favor of Syracuse and allowed the Orange to play ahead or at a tie the rest of the way. That one play earns a strong boost for a defense that relied on those big plays.
Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
Special Teams: B
Likewise, nothing too crazy but an overall very solid-to-good day. Jackson Kennedy drilled all six of his extra points, Jack Stonehouse punted twice for 51.5 yards a kick and no turnovers on this side of the ball at all.
Coaching: A+
A well-deserved grade for the Orange and for one simple reason.
Considering the stakes and everything going into this game, there was already a ton to play for even with Syracuse not in position to make the College Football Playoffs or the ACC Championship. Rallying everyone with that context in mind is tough in itself no matter what. On top of that, Syracuse went down 21-0 and a lot of hope seem to be lost. In many alternate universes, this could’ve a multi-score loss where Miami dropped 45 to 50 points.
That didn’t happen. Coach Brown and company went back to what worked all year: aggressive offense, no panic decisions and executing adjustments in the second half. Collectively that all worked out and it shows. That overrides any nitpick on what else you could’ve tactically done to make things different. However you feel about them, Miami had the best offense in the nation and was in the national headlines all year. Brown and the staff deserve tons of credit for getting the job done.
Now it’s your turn: how would you grade the Orange’s performance versus Miami? Where do you agree or disagree with the most?