East Rutherford, N.J. — A series of drops crippled Syracuse's first three drives of the third quarter and threw a wrench into a performance that started with 27 first-half points.
Erv Philips lost control of a reception as he tumbled to the ground on a crossing route. Amba Etta-Tawo got two hands on a timing route but couldn't hold on. Jordan Fredericks split out to the left side and had a pass bounce off his chest.
The result was a temporarily stalled-out offense in a clear shootout — one that ended in a 50-33 victory for the Fighting Irish (2-3).