Wake Forest went into the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY hoping to leave with a win, however, the Orange had other plans and defeated the Demon Deacons by a score of 30-17.  Turnovers proved to be the main reason Wake Forest lost this game.  Wake QB John Wolford ended the day 30 for 45 with 373 yards and a touchdown, but three interceptions proved to be his most telling statistic for the game. 

In the first quarter, Syracuse opened up the scoring with a field goal.  Wake Forest answered when John Wolford threw a beautiful 40 yard touchdown pass to WR KJ Brent in double coverage.  Wolford looked as though his game was going to go in a different direction. 

In the second quarter, Wake Forest was holding a 7-6 lead, but Wolford threw the ball to the right, but did not see the Syracuse outside linebacker drop into the flat and hit him right in the chest.  The linebacker was able to stroll into the end zone untouched for a 41 yard interception return touchdown.  Wake showed a lot of resolve in the first half as they ended the second quarter with ten unanswered points to take a 17-13 lead at half time.

That however would be the last of the Deacons' points for the day.  The Orange really showed that they can make defensive half time adjustments.  Wolford was constantly under pressure and every time he stepped back in the pocket, he looked uncomfortable.  He hit the turf over and over again and the run game was not there to take the pressure off.  Syracuse was able to inflict their will on the Deacons offense.

Syracuse also made the big plays when they had to in the second half.  QB Eric Dungey threw two touchdowns in the second half, the first an 89 yard touchdown to Brisly Estime and the second a 53 yard pass to Steve Ishmael, where he found a hole in the Demon Deacons zone coverage on a seam. 

Syracuse dominated the second half with a 17-0 point differential.   The Deacons did not make the necessary half time adjustments while Syracuse seemed to fix all their issues.  Eric Dungey managed the game greatly for Syracuse and made big plays when he needed to.  Wolford had a great game statistically, but he made to many costly mistakes.  Coach Clawson and the Demon Deacons will have to figure out how to give Wolford more time and how to get more from the running game. 

Next week, Wake Forest makes another trip to New York, this time to West Point to take on the Army Black Knights while Syracuse hosts the Central Michigan Chippewas at the Carrier Dome.