Middlebrook scores twice as Virginia rallies past Syracuse, 28-25

Jekail Middlebrook scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns, and Virginia held off Syracuse 28-25 Saturday night at Scott Stadium after trailing by 10 points at halftime. The Cavaliers scored 21 consecutive points across the third and fourth quarters, turning a 17-7 deficit into an 11-point lead before the Orange made one last push.

Middlebrook finished with 95 yards on 17 carries. His three-yard touchdown run with 11:42 remaining put Virginia ahead 21-17, and his five-yard score with 5:20 left extended the margin to 28-17. Both touchdowns came after the Cavaliers finally found openings against a defense that had forced five straight punts following Virginia's opening possession.

Beau Pribula started the comeback with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Da'Shawn Martin with 2:01 left in the third quarter. That cut Syracuse's advantage to 17-14 and preceded Virginia's two scoring drives in the final period. Pribula finished 11 of 19 for 119 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, while Martin caught two passes for 48 yards.

A special-teams mistake gave Virginia the field position for its final touchdown. Syracuse's official report said a low snap forced punter Jimmy Gregg to touch his knee to the ground while collecting the ball. Virginia took over at the Orange 34 with 8:34 remaining and converted the short field into Middlebrook's second score.

Syracuse published highlights from its game at Virginia.

Syracuse had controlled much of the game before that reversal. Ahmad Miller's one-yard touchdown run tied the score at seven in the first quarter. Malachi Nelson then connected with Umari Hatcher for a 13-yard touchdown, and Shay Barker's 29-yard field goal gave the Orange their 17-7 halftime lead. Barker also missed attempts from 47 and 41 yards, leaving Syracuse without points on two additional opportunities.

Nelson completed 16 of 29 passes for 217 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. He was injured during Syracuse's late scoring drive, according to the university's report. Danny Lauter entered and threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Daunte Bacheyie with 2:50 remaining, then connected with Justus Ross-Simmons for the two-point conversion. The official report did not identify Nelson's injury or establish a recovery timetable.

The Orange defense forced another punt, giving Lauter a chance from the Syracuse 13 with 1:03 left. Virginia broke up two passes, allowed a four-yard completion and forced an incompletion on fourth down with 17 seconds remaining. Pribula then took a knee to close the game.

Syracuse outgained Virginia 430-288 and finished with 25 first downs to the Cavaliers' 18. Tylik Hill rushed for 118 yards on 23 carries, Hatcher caught eight passes for 126 yards and Bacheyie added four catches for 97. Neither team committed a turnover. Virginia improved to 4-2 overall, while Syracuse fell to 2-3. The Orange return home to host Louisville on Oct. 17.

Sources

ESPN final boxscore and play-by-play · Orange rally falls short at Virginia · Middlebrook lifts Virginia past Syracuse