Following back-to-back 4-8 seasons under head coach Dino Babers, Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey said he wanted to “annihilate” his opponents to start the season. After four-straight wins, including ones against Florida State and Connecticut, SU was on its way to improve its record. The Orange clinched a bowl game berth against then-No. 22 North Carolina State, and finished second in the conference’s Atlantic division, only behind No. 2 Clemson.
Going into Friday, Syracuse was one win away from its first 10-win season since 2001. Behind 303 passing yards from Dungey and a pair of touchdowns from Oklahoma transfer Abdul Adams, No. 20 Syracuse (10-3, 6-2 Atlantic Coast) defeated No. 16 West Virginia (8-4, 6-3 Big 12), 34-18.
Here are the best shots of the game.
Syracuse played in its first bowl game in five years.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
The Orange haven't won 10-games since 2001. They needed one more on Friday to end the 17-year drought.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
West Virginia quarterback Jack Allison was sacked five times.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Taj Harris lunges for more yards after a reception.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Eric Dungey ran for 22 yards in the win.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Andre Cisco carries the ball on a play blown dead.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Running back Abdul Adams and fullback Chris Elmore celebrate after one of Adams' two touchdowns.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Adams played in his first game since transferring from Oklahoma.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Andre Szmyt was one field goal shy of tying the NCAA all-time record for made field goals in a season.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Shyheim Cullen celebrates after a play. He had one tackle for loss in the game.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Syracuse headed to halftime only up 14-12.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Moe Neal broke a tackle on this 42-yard pass play.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Kendall Coleman led SU with three sacks, resulting in 27 lost WVU yards.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Syracuse rushed for 115 yards.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Allen Stritzinger intercepted Allison's pass to start the fourth quarter.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Allison only had one pick on the day, returned by Stritzinger.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Dungey tries to avoid two defenders.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
In his final game, Dungey had 303 passing yards.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Adams split time in the backfield with Moe Neal, Dontae Strickland and Jarveon Howard.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Dino Babers coached his first bowl game for the Orange.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Redshirt junior Brandon Berry tries to tackle the ball carrier.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Linebacker Ryan Guthrie under the lights in Orlando, Florida.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Babers holds up the trophy after Syracuse's 34-18 win.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Players pose with the Camping World Bowl trophy.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
SU players hold newspapers headlined "Syracuse Wins" after the game.
Max Freund | The Daily Orange
Blue and Orange confetti rained down on SU after they won their first bowl game since 2013 against former Big East foe, West Virginia.
Max Freund | The Daily OrangePublished on December 29, 2018 at 1:05 am Contact Max: mefreund@syr.edu
