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When Nykeim Johnson fumbled the kickoff in the second quarter, Syracuse had only allowed six points. The Orange defense, depleted by the opt outs of Andre Cisco and Trill Williams, had held the Cardinals to a field goal on a drive they started on the Orange’s 49-yard-line. But they were suddenly shoved back onto the field.
“We have to be ready to go at all times,” cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu said. “The defense has to always be ready to go back on the field.