In a stunning upset that will have the AP Top 25 shaking, Syracuse defeated No. 19 SMU 30-27 Saturday after a last-gasp, 2-yard scoring strike from Steve Angeli to little-used tight end Noah Meyers with 17 seconds left on the clock. The Orange, trailing 27-23, started their game-winning 11-play drive on their own 32-yard line with 3:36 remaining, pulling off a victory that felt out of reach just minutes earlier.
Angeli’s Unbelievable Drive Seals the Upset
That final, clutch 11-play drive, orchestrated by Angeli, was a masterclass in late-game heroics, culminating in Meyers’ first touchdown for Syracuse and securing the Orange their first win over a ranked team since way back on November 30, 2024. Angeli was dialed in, finishing the day 21 of 34 for 200 yards, and even kicked off the scoring with a 26-yard run early in the first quarter, showing he was ready to make plays with his arm and his legs. Wide receiver Umari Hatcher was a reliable target all game, hauling in six catches for 65 yards, keeping those critical drives alive when it mattered most.
SMU’s Stout Defense Gets Stung
SMU’s defense, which entered this game allowing opponents to convert on third down only 27.3% of the time, the fourth lowest in the entire country, put up a fight. They held the Orange to just 4 of 17 on third down, but Syracuse found a way to convert when it really counted, going 3 for 3 on fourth down, including a crucial 1-yard run by Ahmad Miller. SMU’s Kevin Jennings threw for two scores and Kendrick Raphael had what looked like the game-winner, a 14-yard run that gave the Mustangs a 27-20 lead with nine minutes to go in the fourth. Jennings finished 29 of 36 for 351 yards, connecting with Jalen Hale and Yamir Knight for his two touchdowns. Knight was a force, snagging six receptions for 80 yards, while Raphael added 33 yards on five catches and 51 more on the ground. Despite totaling 421 yards on offense, SMU was still well below their 470-yard average, and the Orange defense did a phenomenal job, holding them nine points below their typical output. It’s gotta sting for SMU knowing Angeli’s intentional grounding from the end zone earlier resulted in a safety for them, giving them points that ultimately weren’t enough. Tripp Woody’s third field goal for Syracuse narrowed the gap to 27-23 before the final, heart-stopping drive.
What’s Next For the Orange and Mustangs
This loss is a huge blow for No. 19 SMU (6-2, 4-2), who now could very well fall right out of the AP Top 25. They’ll need to regroup fast as they head home to face Virginia Tech on Friday. For Syracuse (4-4, 2-4 ACC), Coach Fran Brown’s team is officially picking up some serious mojo, riding a two-game winning streak. A bowl game, which looked like a pipe dream not long ago, is suddenly a real possibility. They’ll look to keep that momentum rolling when they host Clemson on November 7. Talk about a statement win!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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