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SYRACUSE, NY (cuse.com) -- Eric Dungey passed for two scores and ran for a third to lead Syracuse (2-1) by Central Michigan (2-1), 41-17, at the Carrier Dome on Saturday.
Dungey was 19-of-35 for 279 yards and touchdown passes to Dontae Strickland (18 yards) and Ravian Pierce (6 yards). He also ran 11 times for 105 yards, including a one-yard scoring run.
How It Was Decided
Syracuse had a third quarter for the ages. After coming out of the locker room with a 24-17 lead, the Orange exploded for 333 yards of total offense and 17 points. At the same time, the Syracuse defensive unit limited Central Michigan to 60 yards and no points over the 15 minutes worth of play.
Dungey capped a 90-yard drive with a one-yard run to begin the period and teamed with tight end Ravian Pierce on a six-yard touchdown pass to push the Orange advantage to 38-17.
Cole Murphy contributed his second field goal of the game a 25-yarder, to put Syracuse ahead 41-17 heading into the fourth period.
Ground Game Emerges
Syracuse was determined to run the ball and the extra effort paid dividends. Dungey posted the team's first 100-yard rushing afternoon since the October 15, 2016 win against Virginia Tech. The Orange posted three runs of 40-or-more yards: A 74-yard scamper by Dungey, a 71-yard burst by Moe Neal, and a 41-yard run by Sean Riley.
The Orange finished with 300 yards rushing, the team's top total during Coach Dino Babers' tenure.
The Life Of Riley
One of the smallest players on the field sparked Syracuse in the first half. Sean Riley, a 5-8, 155 sophomore wide receiver and kick returner showcased his speed. He began the game with a 34-yard return on the opening kickoff. After Central Michigan moved ahead 17-10 in the second quarter, Riley took the ensuing kickoff 64 yards up the sideline. Six plays later the Orange tied the score on an 18-yard pass from Eric Dungey to Dontae Strickland.
On the next Orange possession, Riley adjusted his route during a Dungey scramble and the duo teamed on a 44-yard pass play to the Chippewa nine-yard line. Strickland scored on the next play to put Syracuse ahead for good, 24-17.
Riley electrified the crowd again in the third quarter, taking an inside handoff and dashing 41 yards to the Central Michigan 31-yard line. It led to a 25-yard field goal by Cole Murphy that extended the advantage to 41-17.
'Cuse Defense Delivers
The first Syracuse touchdown of the game came from the Orange defense. A Chippewa pass completion was broken up on a hard hit by Scoop Bradshaw. The collision left the ball airborn and Evan Foster snatched it and dashed 23 yards to paydirt. The theft tied the game at 10-10.
Once the Orange offense started piling up points, the Syracuse defense did its part by shutting down the Chippewa offense. The Orange held Central Michigan off the scoreboard in the second half and limited the visitors to 59 yards after the intermission.
Syracuse entered the game ranked fifth nationally in third-down conversion defense. The Orange held Central Michigan to 3-of-16 on third downs.
Kendall Coleman had nine total tackles while Parris Bennett, Zaire Franklin, and Rodney Williams each had eight stops.
Upon Further Review
Central Michigan had a touchdown called back by instant replay in the fourth quarter. The Chippewas had first-and-goal from the Syracuse six-yard line and handed off to Romello Ross. His carry was originally ruled a touchdown, but replay revealed Ross fumbles prior to crossing the goal line and Syracuse's Bradshaw recovered.
A Punter's Paradise
Syracuse punter Sterling Hofrichter and Central Michigan's Jack Sheldon had great success on the afternoon. Neither squad lost
field position after it was forced to kick. The two punters evenly split four eight first-half punts for a combined average of 53.9 yards per boot. Each had a long kick of 64 yards.
Central Michigan was forced to punt from the SU 35 in the third quarter but Sheldon still responded, downing his kick inside the 10.
Hofrichter finished with seven punts and a 51.0 average. Sheldon had 10 punts and a 48.1 mark.
Looking Ahead
Syracuse heads down to the bayou for a Saturday, Sept. 23 showdown at LSU. The next Orange home game is Saturday, October 7, when ACC rival Pittsburgh comes to the Dome.
Tickets for the Pittsburgh game are available online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B). Partial plans and group tickets for Syracuse's remaining home games are also available now.