Syracuse topples West Virginia in Camping World Bowl
Abdul Adams and Trishton Jackson made their Syracuse debuts memorable as they combined to score three touchdowns and help the 17th-ranked Orange secure their first 10-win season since 2001 by topping No. 15 West Virginia 34-18 in the Camping World Bowl on Friday.
Adams rushed for two first-half scores, and Jackson hauled in a TD pass from Eric Dungey on the first play of the fourth quarter for Syracuse, in a game that featured eight lead changes. West Virginia entered the match up at Camping World Stadium as the underdog and ruing the decision by starting quarterback Will Grier who decided to skip the game to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Dungey completed 21 of 30 passes for 303 yards for the Orange, who trailed 18-17 going into the final quarter but it didn’t take long for the lead to change hands for the final time. Five minutes into the final quarter it was suddenly 34-18 to Syracuse as Dungey connected with Jackson and the Orange got an interception one play later to turn that possession into a field goal by Andre Szmyt before Jarveon Howard barreled in from 4 yards out with 9:59 left to cap the SU flurry.
One of the main talking points of the game however, was the ejection of West Virginia Mountaineers football defensive back Kenny Robinson Jr. in the second quarter as he inexplicably delivered a hit with the crown of his helmet to the neck area of Syracuse wide receiver Taj Harris, who had gone to the ground after catching a pass from Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey. Following a review, Robinson was ejected from the game with West Virginia leading 9-7.
Next:
Syracuse: Visit Liberty – and new coach Hugh Freeze – on Aug. 31, 2019.
West Virginia: Host James Madison on Aug. 31, 2019.
