Miami Hurricanes vs. Syracuse Orange: November 30, 2024 Game Recap and Player Stats

On November 30, 2024, the Syracuse Orange pulled off a stunning 42-38 upset over the No. 6 Miami Hurricanes at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York, marking the largest comeback in program history. Trailing 21-0 in the first half, Syracuse rallied behind quarterback Kyle McCord’s 380-yard, three-touchdown performance and a critical fumble return touchdown by Devin Grant to secure the victory. The loss eliminated Miami from ACC Championship contention and jeopardized their College Football Playoff hopes. Below is a detailed recap of the game, including key player performances and stats, sourced from verified outlets such as ESPN, FOX Sports, The Athletic, Syracuse University Athletics, and syracuse.com.

Match Key Details

• Sport: College Football (NCAA Division I, FBS)
• Date: November 30, 2024
• Location: JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, New York
• League/Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
• Match Type: Regular Season (Final Week, ACC implications)
• Matchup: Miami Hurricanes Football vs Syracuse Orange Football Match Player Stats
• Final Score: Syracuse 42, Miami 38
• Winner: Syracuse Orange

Game Summary

Miami jumped out to a commanding 21-0 lead in the second quarter, capitalizing on Syracuse’s defensive struggles with Cam Ward’s precise passing and an efficient rushing attack led by Mark Fletcher Jr. and Damien Martinez. However, Syracuse mounted a ferocious comeback, sparked by a 50-yard reception by Trebor Pena and a 25-yard touchdown pass to Pena in the third quarter, tying the game at 21-21. The momentum shifted decisively when Devin Grant returned a fumble 56 yards for a touchdown, giving Syracuse their first lead at 35-28 with 6:01 remaining. Despite Miami’s late push, including a 27-yard field goal by Andres Borregales, Syracuse’s LeQuint Allen and Pena sealed the game with clutch runs, allowing the Orange to run out the clock in victory formation. The game showcased two of the nation’s top passing offenses, with Syracuse totaling 479 yards and Miami 412, but the Orange’s timely defensive plays and turnover-free offense proved the difference.

Key Performances

Syracuse Orange (9-3, 5-3 ACC)

• Kyle McCord (QB): 26/36 (72.2%), 380 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT, 2 sacks. McCord, the nation’s leader in passing yards (3,946 season total), orchestrated the comeback with three touchdown passes: a 9-yard pass to Jackson Meeks (Q2, 3:46), a 25-yard pass to Trebor Pena (Q3, 14:28), and a 3-yard pass to LeQuint Allen (Q4). His 50-yard completion to Pena in the third quarter ignited the rally.
• LeQuint Allen (RB): 22 carries, 82 yards, 2 TD (8 yards in Q2, 3 yards in Q4); 6 receptions, 61 yards, 1 TD. Allen’s versatility was crucial, with a hurdle in the third quarter setting up a red-zone score and five straight runs in the final drive to reach Miami’s territory, securing the win. His 143 total yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns earned high praise from coach Fran Brown.
• Trebor Pena (WR): 5 receptions, 128 yards, 1 TD (25 yards). Pena’s 50-yard catch and 25-yard touchdown in the third quarter shifted momentum, and his 11-yard jet sweep in the final minute clinched the first down that sealed the victory.
• Jackson Meeks (WR): 5 receptions, 110 yards, 2 TD (9 yards in Q2, another in Q4). Meeks’ first career two-touchdown game included a 29-yard catch in the fourth quarter, setting up a first-and-goal.
• Devin Grant (DB): 1 fumble recovery, 56-yard TD return (Q4, 6:01). Grant’s scoop-and-score off Xavier Restrepo’s fumble gave Syracuse their first lead, a pivotal moment in the comeback.
• Team Notes: Syracuse amassed 479 total yards (380 passing, 99 rushing), converted 6/12 third downs, and committed zero turnovers. The offensive line allowed just two sacks against Miami’s veteran defensive front, with no false starts or holding penalties. Kicker Jackson Kennedy was perfect on six extra points, and punter Jack Stonehouse averaged 51.5 yards on two punts. The defense, despite allowing 412 yards, forced a critical fumble and held Miami to a field goal in the final minutes.

Miami Hurricanes (10-2, 6-2 ACC)

• Cam Ward (QB): 25/36 (69.4%), 349 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, 1 sack, 9.7 yards/attempt. Ward, a Heisman candidate and projected first-round pick, threw touchdown passes to Xavier Restrepo (15 yards, Q1) and Elijah Arroyo (3 yards, Q2). His 40-yard completion to Jacolby George in the first quarter and 40-yard pass to Restrepo in the fourth set up key scores, but a late drive ended with a field goal instead of a touchdown, costing Miami the game.
• Damien Martinez (RB): 10 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD (2 yards, Q4); 4.3 yards/carry in Q1. Martinez’s 29-yard run in the fourth quarter set up a tying score, but he was limited in the second half.
• Mark Fletcher Jr. (RB): 13 carries, 46 yards, 1 TD (2 yards, Q1). Fletcher’s early touchdown set the tone, but Syracuse’s defense held him to 3.5 yards/carry overall.
• Xavier Restrepo (WR): 7 receptions, 148 yards, 1 TD (15 yards). Restrepo was Ward’s top target, with a 40-yard catch in the fourth quarter setting up a score, but his fumble in the fourth quarter led to Grant’s game-changing touchdown return.
• Jacolby George (WR): 3 receptions, 80 yards. George’s 40-yard catch in the first quarter opened up Miami’s passing game.
• Elijah Arroyo (TE): 1 reception, 3 yards, 1 TD. Arroyo’s short touchdown catch in the second quarter helped build Miami’s 21-0 lead.
• Team Notes: Miami totaled 412 yards (349 passing, 63 rushing), converted 6/12 third downs, and committed one turnover (Restrepo’s fumble). The Hurricanes’ defense, a weak link all season (22.3 points allowed/game, 42nd nationally), struggled to stop Syracuse’s passing attack, allowing 380 yards and three touchdowns. Kicker Andres Borregales was 1/1 on field goals (27 yards) and 5/5 on extra points. Penalties, including a pass interference and unsportsmanlike conduct, hurt Miami in critical moments.

Game Notes

• Turning Point: Devin Grant’s 56-yard fumble return touchdown with 6:01 remaining gave Syracuse a 35-28 lead, shifting momentum decisively. Miami’s subsequent drive reached the red zone but ended with a 27-yard field goal, and Syracuse’s final drive, led by Allen and Pena, ran out the clock.
• Venue Impact: The JMA Wireless Dome’s indoor conditions favored both teams’ passing offenses, with Miami averaging 10.4 yards/attempt and Syracuse 10.6. Syracuse’s home crowd (noted as intense by coach Fran Brown) fueled the comeback, especially after Pena’s third-quarter touchdown lit the Dome “on fire.”
• Key Stats: Syracuse’s 479 total yards outgained Miami’s 412, and their zero turnovers contrasted with Miami’s one costly fumble. The Orange converted 6/12 third downs, while Miami’s 6/12 included a crucial defensive holding penalty that extended a Syracuse drive. Miami’s run defense, the worst in the ACC (166 yards allowed/game in conference play), allowed Allen’s late runs to seal the game. Both teams combined for 20 receptions by top pass-catchers (Restrepo, Pena, Meeks, Gadsden II), highlighting the aerial shootout.
• Injuries: Syracuse’s Justus Ross-Simmons was helped off the field after a kickoff return, and Miami’s Tyler Baron walked off twice under his own power. No other major injuries were reported.
• Game Duration and Attendance: The game lasted 3:35 with an estimated 40,000 fans in attendance, creating a charged atmosphere for Syracuse’s upset.

Game Context

The Syracuse Orange (9-3, 5-3 ACC) achieved their first top-10 win since 2017, marking the third ranked win of the 2024 season and the largest comeback in program history (21 points). The victory capped a successful first season for head coach Fran Brown, who joined Paul Pasqualoni (1991) as the only Syracuse coaches to win nine regular-season games in their debut year. Miami (10-2, 6-2 ACC), favored by 10.5 points, needed a win to secure a spot in the ACC Championship against SMU but fell short, leaving their College Football Playoff hopes dependent on an at-large bid. The Hurricanes’ six-game winning streak against Syracuse ended, though they still lead the all-time series 15-8. The game featured two of the nation’s top quarterbacks, with McCord (No. 1 in passing yards) outdueling Ward (No. 2 in passing yards, No. 1 in touchdown passes).

Conclusion

Syracuse’s historic 42-38 comeback over Miami was a testament to their offensive firepower and defensive resilience. Kyle McCord’s 380 yards and three touchdowns, paired with LeQuint Allen’s three scores and Trebor Pena’s clutch plays, powered the Orange to victory. Devin Grant’s fumble return touchdown was the game-changer, exposing Miami’s defensive vulnerabilities. Despite Cam Ward’s 349 yards and two touchdowns, and strong performances from Xavier Restrepo and Damien Martinez, Miami’s inability to stop Syracuse’s passing attack and a critical fumble cost them the game. This thrilling shootout, played in front of a raucous JMA Wireless Dome crowd, solidified Syracuse’s resurgence and left Miami’s postseason aspirations in limbo.

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