Steve Angeli’s Late Touchdown Pass Lifts Syracuse Past SMU 30–27

Steve Angeli threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Noah Meyers with 17 seconds remaining as Syracuse rallied past SMU 30–27 at the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday.

The Orange began their winning possession at their 32-yard line with 3:36 left. Angeli kept the drive moving with a fourth-down completion to David Clement, then found Calvin Russell III and Daunte Bacheyie to reach the SMU 2.

Syracuse called timeout after a run gained nothing, leaving 19 seconds for the deciding throw. Angeli found Meyers on the left side, and the defense ended SMU’s last possession by recovering an attempted lateral on the final play.

The official box score recorded an 11-play, 68-yard winning drive. Syracuse had trailed 27–20 in the fourth quarter before Tripp Woody’s 26-yard field goal reduced the margin with 5:26 remaining.

Angeli completed 21 of 34 passes for 200 yards and a touchdown, adding a 26-yard rushing score in the opening quarter. Umari Hatcher caught six passes for 65 yards, and Ahmad Miller ran for 56 yards and a touchdown.

Syracuse produced 338 total yards against SMU’s 421, but its defense registered four sacks for 52 lost yards and recovered two fumbles. The Mustangs managed 70 rushing yards, compared with the Orange’s 138.

Kevin Jennings passed for 351 yards and two touchdowns for SMU. Kendrick Raphael supplied a rushing touchdown, helping the Mustangs overturn a 20–10 halftime deficit before Syracuse’s late response.

The Orange converted all four fourth-down attempts, according to SMU’s official statistics. They also scored on each of their five trips into the red zone, while SMU was successful on all four of its visits.

Syracuse improved to 4–4 overall and 2–4 in ACC play with its second straight conference victory. SMU fell to 6–2 and 4–2. The Orange host Clemson next Saturday at noon ET.