Stanford Stuns Syracuse with Last-Second Field Goal, 26-24

Emmet Kenney delivered a thrilling 39-yard field goal as time expired, lifting Stanford to a 26-24 victory over Syracuse on Friday night. This win marked the Cardinal’s first victory in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

“I felt really confident out there, mainly because I have the best snapper, holder, and line blocking in the country,” Kenney said. “They did their job all night, allowing me to focus on mine. Once I saw it sail through, it felt like a dream come true.”

The game took a dramatic turn when Kyle McCord connected with Jackson Meeks on a 13-yard touchdown pass, giving Syracuse (2-1, 1-1 ACC) a 24-23 lead with just over three minutes remaining. However, Stanford (2-1, 1-0) rallied as quarterback Ashton Daniels orchestrated a final drive, highlighted by a crucial 27-yard completion on fourth-and-9 to Elic Ayomanor.

“This win is special for us, especially being our first ACC game,” Daniels said. “We’ve struggled the last two seasons, so this victory means a lot. I trust Elic completely; he’s my go-to guy.”

Kenney also contributed with field goals of 38, 51, and 35 yards, showcasing his reliability throughout the game.

Defensive Standouts

In a pivotal moment, safety Mitch Leigber intercepted a McCord pass intended for Dan Villari and returned it for a touchdown, extending Stanford’s lead to 20-10 late in the third quarter. This marked the Cardinal’s first pick-six since September 2021. McCord later responded with a 19-yard rushing touchdown, narrowing the gap to 20-17.

Despite McCord’s strong performancecompleting 27 of 42 passes for 339 yards he threw two critical interceptions, which led to 10 points for Stanford. The Cardinal defense was relentless, sacking him four times, with David Bailey accounting for two of those.

Coach’s Perspective

Syracuse head coach Fran Brown defended McCord’s efforts, acknowledging the quarterback’s ability to drive the team downfield for a potential game-winning drive. “He gave us an opportunity to win,” Brown stated. “Yes, he threw interceptions, but that’s part of football. Not every game can be perfect.”

Stanford’s defense was instrumental in limiting Syracuse’s rushing attack, holding leading rusher LeQuint Allen to just 25 yards on eight carries. The Orange finished the game with a mere 26 yards on the ground.

This victory is a significant milestone for Stanford, who demonstrated their potential to be a formidable contender in the ACC. Meanwhile, Syracuse will need to regroup after struggling for much of the game.

Upcoming Matches

Stanford: Faces Clemson on September 28 in their second consecutive road game.

Syracuse: Hosts Holy Cross on September 28 as they look to bounce back in the final match of their four-game home stretch.