Eric Boggs 
Syracuse defeated UNLV in overtime Friday night.
Syracuse’s thrilling 44-41 overtime victory against No. 25 UNLV on Friday night was defined by grit, determination, and standout performances, especially from running back LeQuint Allen. Despite battling pain in his lower left leg, Allen told head coach Fran Brown during the first half that he wasn’t coming out of the game, a decision that paid off as he powered into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown in overtime.
UNLV kicker Caden Chittenden had given the Rebels a 41-38 lead with a 41-yard field goal on their overtime possession, but Syracuse answered with an eight-play drive, culminating in Allen’s fourth touchdown of the game. On the decisive play, the 200-pound running back dragged UNLV’s 230-pound linebacker Jackson Woodard into the end zone, clinching the win. Allen finished with 71 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 19 carries, along with nine receptions for 58 yards and two more scores.
“I’m just putting it all on the line for my team,” Allen said. “If I can run and jog, I’m still going out there. Nobody’s bigger than ‘The S.’”
Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord, who transferred from Ohio State in the offseason, was instrumental in the victory. He completed 40 of 63 passes for 355 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Tight end Oronde Gadsden II had a career-high 10 receptions for 142 yards, providing McCord with a reliable target throughout the game.
UNLV’s quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams put up an impressive performance as well, completing 21 of 25 passes for 227 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Ricky White III added 10 receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown, while also contributing on special teams with a blocked punt that led to a Rebels touchdown.
Despite their win, Syracuse’s special teams issues flared up once again, nearly costing the team the game. A blocked punt returned for a touchdown by UNLV highlighted ongoing problems in punt protection, an issue that had already surfaced the previous week against Holy Cross. With these mistakes almost leading to disaster, head coach Fran Brown will need to address the inconsistency of the special teams moving forward.
The game saw wild momentum swings, with Syracuse jumping to an early 14-0 lead in the first quarter before UNLV responded by outscoring the Orange 21-3 in the second quarter to take a 21-17 lead into halftime. Syracuse regained control in the third quarter, opening the second half with a 75-yard drive that ended with McCord’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Allen. After a Duce Chestnut interception, running back Yasin Willis extended the Orange lead to 31-21 with a 21-yard touchdown run.
However, UNLV fought back, tying the game with a blocked punt returned for a touchdown and a Chittenden field goal, before taking a 38-31 lead on White’s 9-yard touchdown reception. Syracuse then mounted an 11-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Jackson Meeks catching a 6-yard touchdown pass from McCord to tie the game with 23 seconds left, forcing overtime.
Amidst the back-and-forth scoring, Oronde Gadsden emerged as a key factor for Syracuse. After struggling in previous games due to being double-teamed, Gadsden broke free against UNLV’s single coverage and zone defense, hauling in 10 catches for 142 yards. His ability to find the soft spots in the Rebels’ defense made him McCord’s go-to target throughout the game, helping Syracuse keep drives alive.
Despite Syracuse’s fast starts, the team’s tendency to struggle in the second quarter has been a recurring issue. Against UNLV, the Orange were outscored 21-3 in the second quarter after dominating the first, taking a 14-0 lead. These second-quarter lapses have been a problem in recent weeks, and with ACC play ahead, Syracuse will need to address these mid-game slumps, as it will be much harder to regain lost momentum against stronger competition.
Head coach Fran Brown praised Allen’s performance, saying, “He’s been doing that — that’s just LeQuint. He’s a competitor, always wants the ball, always wants to help his team.”
Syracuse (4-1) will face N.C. State on October 12, while UNLV (4-1) will look to bounce back against Utah State on October 11. Despite the setback, UNLV head coach Barry Odom expressed confidence in his team’s growth, stating, “We’re close, but this will get us closer. I have no doubt about that.”
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