Backup quarterback Trevor Siemian hit Demetrius Fields for a 9-yard touchdown pass with 44 seconds left, and Northwestern held on for a 42-41 victory at Syracuse yesterday in the teams’ season opener.
Siemian, subbing for starter Kain Colter, drove the Wildcats 75 yards in 10 plays, taking advantage of a critical personal foul against Syracuse defender Keon Lyn for a late hit out of bounds on the previous play.
The decisive score in the sweltering Carrier Dome came after Ryan Nassib had engineered a stunning comeback for the Orange, throwing for four second-half touchdowns. Nassib finished 44-of-65 for 470 yards. Nassib’s completions obliterated the school record of 29 he had shared with Marvin Graves and Andrew Robinson.
Syracuse still was in it at halftime despite the heroics of Northwestern star Venric Mark, who scored twice and accumulated 203 all-purpose yards in the first half.
Notre Dame 50, Navy 10
In Dublin, Ireland, Theo Riddick and George Atkinson each ran for two scores and defensive end Stephon Tuitt returned a fumble 77 yards for another TD as Notre Dame routed Navy 50-10 in yesterday’s season opener in Dublin
A crowd of 49,000, mostly Americans, filled Aviva Stadium for the first U.S. college game in Ireland since 1996, when the same two teams played in the Emerald Isle Classic.
Quarterback Everett Golson, making his first start, put the Fighting Irish up 20-0 with a 5-yard end zone jump ball to tight end Tyler Eifert, who beat two smaller Navy defenders.
Rutgers 24, Syracuse 12
In New Orleans, Jawan Jamison ran for a 46-yard touchdown, Brandon Jones returned an interception for a score to lead Rutgers over Tulane in new Scarlet Knights head coach Kyle flood’s debut.
Youngstown St. 31, Pittsburgh 17
In Pittsburgh, Kurt Hess passed for 154 yards and two touchdowns as Youngstown State of the FCS spoiled Paul Chryst’s debut as Panthers coach with an upset victory, the Penguins’ first over an FBS team in 12 years and first ever over a BCS team.
Stony Brook 49, CCSU 17
In Stony Brook, Miguel Maysonet ran for 171 yards and two touchdowns and caught one of Kyle Essington’s three TD passes to lead the Seawolves over Central Connecticut State.
