SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Andre Szmyt kicked the game-winning 35-yard field goal with no time on the clock as Syracuse used a late turnover to defeat Liberty 24-21 on Friday night.
The Syracuse defense came up with the only turnover of the game just when the Orange needed it most. After forcing Liberty quarterback Malik Willis into fumbling the ball with just under four minutes remaining, Szmyt converted the turnover into the game-winning field goal seven plays later.
Szmyt’s kick was the Orange’s first game-winning field in a game’s final minute since 2015 and handed the Flames (3-1) their first loss this season.
The Syracuse defense couldn’t stop Willis for most of the game. Willis had shredded Syracuse for 205 yards passing and three touchdowns. He had rallied the Flames from a 21-7 third-quarter deficit to knot the contest at 21-all less than a minute into the fourth quarter.
After Liberty had stopped Syracuse for its third consecutive 3-and-out, the Flames looked primed to claim the victory after taking possession at their own 27-yard line with just over four minutes remaining.
But Syracuse defenders Cody Roscoe and Marlowe Wax forced Willis to cough up the ball as he rolled out to pass and the Orange took over on the Flames’ 30-yard line.
Syracuse maneuvered the ball into position, eating up the clock as well as all of Liberty’s timeouts.
After Syracuse’s Garrett Shrader gained 10 crucial yards on 3rd down quarterback keeper to get the ball to the 16-yard line, Orange coach Dino Babers let the clock tick down to 1 second before calling timeout and sending Szmyt onto the field.
Syracuse was able to kick the field goal for the win after Liberty coach Hugh Freeze elected to go for a touchdown instead of a field goal on fourth down at the Syracuse 2-yard line with 8 minutes left in the game.
Syracuse stuffed Willis on a run off-tackle, keeping the game tied at 21.
Liberty would get the ball back, but Willis’ fumble put it right back in the Orange’s hands again.
In a surprise move, Babers had inserted Shrader, a transfer from Mississippi State, as the starting quarterback. Veteran Tommy DeVito had started each of SU’s first three games this season.
Shrader only completed six of his 15 pass attempts, but he ran the ball 15 times and scored two touchdowns.
But Syracuse’s offense rode on the broad shoulders of second-year running back Sean Tucker. Tucker took the ball 32 times for 169 yards and one touchdown.
THE TAKEAWAY
Liberty: The Flames missed out on a chance at a big win. The Flames could have notched a key win over a Power 5 conference opponent. The Flames have just one more game against a Power 5 conference team left on their schedule. Liberty will play at Ole Miss on Nov. 6.
Syracuse: The Orange made a quarterback change, but it’s not clear if it found an answer. While Garrett Shrader had his moments in his first start, his inability to connect on deep throws limited Syracuse’s offense. Liberty was able to turn the game by forcing Syracuse into three straight 3-and-outs; the first of which included two incompletions on deep passes.
UP NEXT
Liberty: The Flames travel to UAB for a night game at Protective Stadium on Oct. 2.
Syracuse: The Orange hit the road for their conference opener against Florida State on Oct. 2.
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