14 hours ago
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Canaan Severin slid across the end zone on his back, the football he just caught resting comfortably in his arms. Syracuse cornerback Julian Whigham lay inches to his right, flat on his stomach.
The foot of separation Severin created was enough for a game-saving 36-yard touchdown from Virginia QB Matt Johns, who ran off the field dancing as the Cavaliers tied the score in overtime.
In the seconds before Johns escaped the pocket and rifled his throw, Syracuse had a chance to put everything behind it.
A disastrous 21-point loss to South Florida a week before that had escaped the narrative of the season’s surprising start.