Final: Syracuse University football team 31, Rutgers 13

on November 21, 2009 at 5:52 PM, updated November 21, 2009 at 10:23 PM
Syracuse vs. Rutgers footballSyracuse running back Antwon Bailey goes into the end zone for the game's first touchdown during Saturday's game against Rutgers.

Syracuse, NY -- The Syracuse University football team overcame a blocked field-goal attempt and two blocked punts to stun No. 25 Rutgers 31-13 this afternoon before an announced crowed of 36,759 on Senior Day in the Carrier Dome.

Running back Averin Collier burst through the middle and went 60 yards for a touchdown with under five minutes to play to make it a 31-13 game, and Rutgers (7-3, 2-3 Big East) was officially out of it. It was SU's first victory over the Scarlet Knights since 2004, and it came in convincing fashion.

Syracuse (4-7, 1-5), which won its first conference game of the season under rookie head coach Dough Marrone, dominated the game on both sides of the ball despite missing six starters lost to injury over the last two weeks, including its top two tacklers.

The offense cranked out 412 yards of offense, rushing for 213 yards against the conference top run defense. A huge key: The Orange did not commit a turnover.

The defense, with middle linebacker Derrell Smith, strong safety Max Suter and all-conference nose tackle Arthur Jones on the sideline, held the Knights to 130 yards, sacked true freshman quarterback Tom Savage nine times and intercepted two passes, matching the total Savage had thrown all season. Both picks came from free safety Mike Holmes.

The Orange came out aggressively from the outset, trying a reverse on the opening kickoff. That didn't work, and neither did a failed onside kick that set up Rutgers' only touchdown, but almost everything else did. SU had a huge advantage in time of possession, holding the ball for 40 of the game's 60 minutes.

Su closes the season a week from today at Connecticut, which stunned Notre Dame 36-30 in double overtime.