Syracuse Football squanders 10-point lead to Virginia as latest QB exits with injury

The Orange led 17-7 at halftime behind third-string quarterback Malachi Nelson‘s promising first start, but missed field goals, penalties and a defense that couldn’t stop Virginia’s ground game let the Cavaliers storm back.

Virginia scored three straight touchdowns in the second half to take a 28-17 lead, then Nelson left with an apparent collarbone injury.

Junior Danny Lauter rallied Syracuse within three, but his fourth-down pass to Umari Hatcher fell incomplete in the final minute, sealing the loss for an Orange team still searching for its third win.

First half: Nelson’s strong start

Syracuse football took a 17-7 halftime lead over Virginia on Saturday, powered by a promising start from Nelson at quarterback and a strong defensive effort.

Virginia struck first on a Xay Davis rushing touchdown, but Ahmad Miller answered with a touchdown run to tie the game at 7.

Nelson, a former five-star recruit who joined Syracuse in the offseason from Texas-El Paso, settled in quickly in his first start for the Orange. He made several accurate throws and ran the offense with confidence.

He found Hatcher for a 13-yard touchdown pass to give Syracuse a 14-7 lead, then the Orange added a field goal before the break to go up 10.

Nelson completed 9 of 14 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown in the first half, with Hatcher serving as his top target.

The defense limited Virginia’s opportunities and kept the Cavaliers from building on their opening scoring drive.

Takeaway: Nelson’s composure in his first start and a stout defense let the Orange control the first half. After falling behind early, Syracuse responded on both sides of the ball and built a two-possession lead.

– Maddie Rogers

Second half: The lead slips away

Syracuse opened the second half by driving into Virginia territory, but the drive stalled just short of the red zone, and freshman kicker Shay Barker’s 41-yard field goal try sailed wide left.

Barker finished 1-for-3 on field goals, also missing from 47 yards in the second quarter.

The miss was followed by four consecutive punts, and a Syracuse three-and-out proved costly.

Virginia capitalized on another Syracuse penalty, turning it into a 53-yard touchdown pass from Beau Pribula to Da’Shawn Martin.

The defensive struggles continued. The Cavaliers marched down the field on their next two drives, scoring touchdowns on both to take a 28-17 lead.

Nelson then left with what was believed to be a collarbone injury, putting the comeback in the hands of junior Danny Lauter, a Georgetown transfer.

Lauter hit Daunte Bacheyie for a 46-yard touchdown and converted the two-point try, cutting the deficit to three with under three minutes to play.

The Syracuse defense forced a three-and-out, giving the offense about a minute to force overtime or pull off the upset.

But on fourth down, Lauter couldn’t connect with Hatcher, sealing the win for Virginia.

Takeaway: A strong first half unraveled as Virginia scored on three straight touchdown drives. With Nelson injured, questions about who will start at quarterback will follow the Orange back to the JMA Wireless Dome. In the end, the better team won, with quarterback experience and late-game poise making the difference.

– Harrison Calder

Game trends: Familiar flaws

Syracuse held a 10-point lead in the third quarter, in position to win its third game of the season and shift the narrative.

Then the familiar flaws surfaced. Special teams blunders kept hurting the Orange, as Shay Barker’s two missed field goals bit the Orange in the butt Saturday night. Syracuse never extended its lead, and Virginia took advantage, clawing back to win.

Nelson finished 16-of-29 for 217 yards and a touchdown and rushed six times for 19 yards. He connected with Hatcher eight times for 126 yards and a score, continuing the receiver’s career season. Tylik Hill added 118 rushing yards.

It wasn’t enough. Syracuse lost momentum in the fourth quarter as Virginia ground out 169 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Takeaway: The team that leads the country in penalties and missed field goals played to form, falling to a Virginia squad that looked beatable in the first half. Nelson was admirable in his first start with the program, but the Orange seem to need perfection from whoever is behind center to win. A solid lead slipped away as the mistakes piled up.

– Jayden Armant