Syracuse Upsets No. 19 SMU on Late Touchdown, Fans Storm Field

Steve Angeli connected with tight end Noah Meyers for a 2-yard touchdown with 17 seconds left to give Syracuse a stunning 30-27 upset victory over No. 19 SMU on Saturday.

The Orange, now 4-4 overall and 2-4 in ACC play, trailed 27-23 when they took possession on their own 32-yard line with 3:36 remaining. Angeli orchestrated an 11-play drive that culminated in Meyers' second career touchdown, his score proving to be the game-winner.

"It's absolutely awesome," Angeli said of the winning drive. "We talked about it before the game. Let's have our receivers go out there and make touchdown blocks. Have our tight ends also go out there and dominate. I think that's what those guys did."

Angeli, who finished 21 of 34 for 200 yards, also opened the scoring with a 26-yard run in the first quarter. "He's a pretty good quarterback," Syracuse coach Fran Brown said of Angeli. "He sees things the right way. He's the leader of our football team."

Brown highlighted the team's growing maturity, stating, "You're putting the players in position to understand what it takes to win. And I just feel now our playmakers are making a few more plays."

The victory marks Syracuse's first win against a ranked opponent since November 30, 2024. Following the game, fans stormed the field in celebration.

For SMU (6-2, 4-2), Kevin Jennings threw for two touchdowns and Kendrick Raphael added a 14-yard scoring run that gave the Mustangs a 27-20 lead with nine minutes remaining. However, Tripp Woody's third field goal of the game cut the deficit to 27-23 with 5:26 to play, setting the stage for Syracuse's final drive.

Jennings completed 29 of 36 passes for 351 yards, with touchdown throws to Jalen Hale and Yamir Knight. Knight had six catches for 80 yards, and Raphael added 33 receiving yards and 51 rushing yards.

SMU's defense, which had been one of the nation's best at preventing third-down conversions, struggled against Syracuse, allowing them to convert on 3 of 3 fourth-down attempts. Syracuse was held to 4 of 17 on third downs.

The Orange defense managed to hold SMU to nine points below their season average.

SMU will host Virginia Tech next Friday, while Syracuse will host Clemson on November 7.