Highlights & recap: Syracuse stuns #6 Miami with historic comeback
Highlights and recap of Syracuse football's upset win over #6 Miami.
Fran Brown envisioned moments like this for Syracuse football, and on Saturday night, the Orange delivered. In front of an electrified crowd at the JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse shocked No. 6 Miami with a thrilling 42-38 victory. The game featured the largest comeback in program history (21 points) and delivered a signature win for Brown's first year as head coach.
"This was our championship game," Brown said after the game. "We worked our butts off for it. We fell short a few times and then we got an opportunity to do this."
The Orange (9-3, 5-3 ACC) erased a 21-point first-half deficit, topping the previous school record set in 2012. The victory likely dashed Miami's College Football Playoff hopes and re-energized a fanbase that stormed the field to celebrate the team's first win over a Top 10 opponent since 2017.
"It means everything," said Devin Grant, whose pivotal scoop-and-score in the third quarter gave Syracuse its first lead of the game. "It's been a while since Cuse has been on a winning thing… to bring back the winning culture of Cuse and show everybody that Cuse is back, baby, and that this is just the beginning. It just starts here."
A Historic Comeback
Syracuse's start was far from ideal. Miami capitalized on a Syracuse penalty to score the first 21 points of the game, with running back Mark Fletcher Jr. finding the end zone twice in the opening quarter. The Orange offense, led by quarterback Kyle McCord, struggled with dropped passes, near turnovers, and missed opportunities, leaving the team down three scores early in the second quarter.
But this version of the Orange wouldn't allow the game to slip away. McCord found his rhythm, leading a critical touchdown drive that ended with an 8-yard rushing score from LeQuint Allen Jr. The defense stepped up moments later, forcing Miami into its first three-and-out of the game.
"We're growing," Brown said of his team's resilience. "We just got to keep pushing. I will never be satisfied with second place or third place… but I'm happy for our players and our seniors. They raised the standard of what it takes to be a Syracuse football player."
McCord's leadership was on full display in the opening moments of the second half. The quarterback engineered a lightning-quick 75-yard scoring drive, capped by a 25-yard touchdown pass to Trebor Pena to tie the game at 21 apiece. McCord's 380-yard, three-touchdown performance not only fueled the comeback but also earned him Syracuse's single-season touchdown record with 29. McCord also eclipsed 4,000 passing yards on the season during the performance.
Reflecting on his decision to come to Syracuse, McCord said, "It's exactly what [Coach Brown] said I would do. And I think that, you know, every coach is going to tell you that, but I think Fran, one thing about Fran is he's genuine, and if he says something, he's going to, you know, do everything he can to prove that. His word is true… It's definitely the best decision of my life to come here."
Turning Points
Momentum shifted throughout the second half, with both teams trading blows in a showcase of offensive firepower. Miami reclaimed the lead with a short rushing touchdown by Fletcher Jr., but Syracuse quickly answered with a 33-yard pass from McCord to Jackson Meeks, setting up another touchdown to tie the game at 28.
The defining moment came late in the third quarter when safety Devin Grant jarred the ball loose from a Miami ball carrier, scooped it up, and returned it 56 yards for a touchdown. The play gave the Orange their first lead of the game at 35-28, sending the Dome crowd into a frenzy.
"Our defense made the game's biggest play," Brown said of the fumble return. "It was the type of moment we needed to keep the momentum on our side."
In the fourth quarter, Allen added a 2-yard rushing touchdown to extend the lead to 42-35. The Orange's offensive line and rushing attack took over in the final minutes, killing the clock with eight straight running plays to secure the victory.
A Signature Win for Fran Brown
Brown's vision for the program became tangible on Saturday. The team showcased toughness, discipline, and a refusal to back down against one of the nation's top teams. Brown, who has emphasized restoring Syracuse's proud football tradition since his arrival, said the victory was a step in the right direction.
"Has this lived up to my vision? No, not at all," Brown said. "I wanted to win a national championship. I wanted to go to the conference championship. Those two things didn't happen. But it's progress."
For Syracuse fans, Saturday was about more than progress. It was a return to form, a reminder of what the program can be. The offense piled up 479 yards, the defense delivered game-changing plays, and the Dome crowd roared as the Orange celebrated their biggest win in years.
The win marked Syracuse's first victory over an eight-win opponent at home since 1992 and snapped a 25-game losing streak to Top 10 opponents. As Devin Grant put it: "This is just the first season. This is just the beginning."
