Syracuse upsets No. 23 UNLV behind LeQuint Allen's four touchdowns

LeQuint Allen stormed into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown in overtime – his fourth score of the game – as Syracuse beat No. 23 UNLV 44-41 in Las Vegas on Friday.

Scoring for the first time in program history, the Rebels (4-1) had to settle for a 41-yard field goal by Caden Chittenden on the first possession of overtime. They then appeared to force the Orange (4-1) into a long field goal attempt, but a rough attack on the passer gave the visitors new life.

Three plays later, Allen took a handoff and pressed his shoulder against Jackson Woodard before driving him into the end zone for the game-winning 1-yard score. Allen finished the game with 19 carries for 71 yards and two TDs and added two receiving scores from Kyle McCord (40 of 63, 355 yards, three touchdowns, one interception).

UNLV quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams completed 21 of 25 yards for 227 yards with three touchdowns and an interception while adding 53 yards and a score on the ground. Ricky White III had 10 catches for 135 yards and a TD and also recorded a key punt block for UNLV.

With the score tied 31-31 midway through the fourth quarter, Woodard intercepted a pass from McCord in the red zone. Moments later, Williams threw a 9-yard touchdown strike to White with 2:58 left.

The Orange pushed back down the field and took advantage of McCord’s 6-yard back-shoulder TD pass to Jackson Meeks with 23 seconds left in the game. Allen made a tackle during a 4-1 run to keep the drive alive.

Syracuse got off to a fast start as Allen reached the end zone on each of the Orange’s first two drives. Williams responded with consecutive touchdowns – a 6-yard pass to Kaleo Ballungay and then a 3-yard TD run to bring the hosts even within 14-14.

The Rebels then pushed Orange punter Jack Stonehouse deep into Syracuse territory, bringing him to the ground before he could fire the kick. Two plays later, Williams found Casey Cain for a 9-yard score.

Syracuse responded with 17 straight points, including a 6-yard hookup from McCord to Allen early in the third quarter and a 21-yard TD rumble from Yasin Willis that gave the Orange a 31-21 lead midway through the third quarter brought.

However, UNLV recovered and scored the next 17 points. In the final minute of the third quarter, White blocked a Stonehouse punt. The ball bounced 45 yards to the end zone, where Charles Correa landed on it for the decisive touchdown and brought about the exciting conclusion.

Syracuse upsets No. 23 UNLV behind LeQuint Allen’s four touchdowns

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