Football

November 28, 1998
Syracuse 66, Miami 13
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY

Scoring by quartersQuarters   1st   2nd   3rd   4th   FinalMiami        7     0     3     3    13Syracuse    24    21     7    14    66TIME: 3:37

Senior Donovan McNabb rushed for three touchdowns and threw for two more to lead Syracuse to a 66-13 win over Miami at the Carrier Dome. The win secured the BIG EAST title for Syracuse and a berth in the Bowl Championship Series.

Syracuse struck early and often, scoring 24 points in the first quarter while its defense kept the Hurricanes in check. Miami, which entered the game averaging 190 yards rushing, was held to 149 yards on the ground and 210 overall.

The Orangemen opened the scoring with a six play, 82 yard drive on their opening possession and never looked back. The Orangemen came up with big play after big play, including two interceptions, a blocked punt, and a 100 yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Kevin Johnson that highlighted an offensive explosion that put Syracuse ahead 45-7 at halftime.

One bright spot for Miami was junior Edgerrin James who carried 18 times for 115 yards. James set a school record with his fifth consecutive 100-yard rushing game.

First Quarter
SU – Brown 23 run (Trout kick). Time Left: 13:28. Drive: 6 plays, 82 yards, 1:32. Key Play: McIntosh 22 rush to SU 44. Syracuse 7, Miami 0.
SU – Trout 50 field goal. Time Left: 10:36. Drive: 7 plays, 35 yards, 1:46. Key Play: Johnson 16 rush for 1st down. Syracuse 10, Miami 0.
SU – Johnson 11 pass from McNabb (Trout kick). Time Left: 8:46. Drive: 2 plays, 15 yards, 0:50. Key Play: Sudano fumble recovery at Miami 15. Syracuse 17, Miami 0.
UM – James 1 run (Crosland kick). Time Left:
0 :44. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 2:14. Key Play: Hipps 9 interception return to SU 45. Syracuse 17, Miami 7.
SU – Johnson 100 kickoff return (Trout kick). Time Left: 0:27. Syracuse: 24, Miami 7.

Second Quarter
SU – McNabb 1 run (Trout kick) Time Left: 14:03. Drive: 4 plays, 19 yards, 1:10. Key Play: Gibbs 7 interception retrun to UM 19. Syracuse 31, Miami 7.
SU – McNabb 51 run (Trout kick). Time Left: 3:05. Drive: 10 plays, 85 yards, 5:56. Key Play: Jackson 11 pass from McNabb to Syracuse 47. Syracuse 38, Miami 7.
SU – McNabb 1 run (Trout kick). Time Left: 0:26. Drive: 6 plays, 50 yards, 1:08. Key Play: Nash 48 interception return to Syracuse 50. Syracuse 45, Miami 7.

Third Quarter
UM – Crosland 39 field goal. Time Left: 12:29. Drive: 7 plays, 16 yards, 2:31. Key Play: Davenport 52 kickoff return to SU 38. Syracuse 45, Miami 10.
SU – Bennett 4 pass from McNabb (Trout kick). Time Left: 4:57. Drive: 7 plays, 36 yards, 2:37. Key Play: Pilon fumble recovery at Miami 36. Syracuse 52, Miami 10.

Fourth Quarter
UM – Crosland 36 field goal. Time Left: 12:48. Drive: 7 plays, 34 yards, 2:57. Key Play: Syracuse pass interference 15 yards to SU 19. Syracuse 52, Miami 13.
SU – Sudano 1 run (Trout kick). Time Left: 9:00. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 3:48. Key Play: Mungro 16 rush to Miami 7. Syracuse, 59, Miami 13.
SU – Deloatch 27 fumble recovery (Trout kick). Time Left: 4:44. Syracuse 66, Miami 13.

DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Tackles: 13-Nate Webster
Assists: 4-Al Blades
Total: 14-Nate Webster
Sacks: 1-Michael Boireau

DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Tackles: 5-Quentin Harris
Assists: 8-Jason Poles, Keith Bulluck
Total: 11-Jason Poles
Sacks: 2-Duke Pettijohn