It was the tale of two halves on Saturday afternoon in Raleigh, N.C., as Syracuse football and N.C. State both eyed a win to bolster their potential postseason bowl hopes. In the first half at Carter-Finley Stadium, it was a defensive slugfest, with the Wolfpack clinging to a 7-6 lead at the break.
The second half, though, was a much different story. N.C. State outscored the Orange 21-7 in the third quarter to go up 28-13 heading into the final period. However, the 'Cuse mounted a massive comeback, outscoring the Wolfpack 21-3 in the fourth quarter to prevail, 34-31. Syracuse football improves to 5-13 in its all-time series against N.C. State.
Fifth-year quarterback Steve Angeli found fifth-year wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons with an 11-yard touchdown pass and then targeted Ross-Simmons for a successful two-point conversion with fewer than one minute left for the deciding points. N.C. State looked to tie things up with a field goal on its final possession, but senior linebacker Chris D'Appolonia's interception sealed SU's win.
Up next, the Orange (5-5 overall, 3-5 in ACC) will travel to Boston College on Saturday, Nov. 21, at noon EST before Syracuse football hosts No. 5 Notre Dame in the 2026 regular-season finale in late November. The 'Cuse needs to prevail in one of its two remaining encounters to qualify for a bowl game for the second time in head coach Fran Brown's three seasons at the program's helm.
Syracuse football wide receiver Calvin Russell III had a historic afternoon.
Calvin Russell III, the five-star freshman wide receiver and the Orange's highest-ranked signee in more than two decades, hauled in 17 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown. His 17 receptions tied SU's single-game record set by Ervin Phillips on September 30, 2017.
Sixth-year wide receiver Umari Hatcher had four catches for 81 yards. He has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in the 2026 season. Hatcher is the eighth player in Syracuse football history to reach at least 1,000 receiving yards in a single campaign.
Angeli was a bit up and down on Saturday but completed 27-of-42 attempts for 272 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. N.C. State sacked him once. Sophomore running back Tylik Hill and senior RB Ahmad Miller combined for 105 yards on the ground. Hill added a rushing touchdown.
In various statistical categories, N.C. State led 413-410 in total yards. The Wolfpack averaged 6.6 yards per play. For the Orange, it was 5.4 yards per play. Syracuse football won the takeover department, and that was huge. SU had two interceptions and also forced a fumble on N.C. State that the Orange recovered.
The Wolfpack committed five penalties for 55 yards, while Syracuse committed eight penalties for 85 yards. The 'Cuse was solid on third downs, converting 8-of-17 attempts. SU was also 1-of-1 on its sole fourth-down attempt.
On the defensive side, D'Appolonia and fifth-year defensive lineman Tunmise Adeleye had picks. As a team, Syracuse football had seven tackles for a loss, two pass breakups and three quarterback hurries.
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