Stanford's Last-Second Field Goal Lifts Cardinal Over Syracuse in ACC Thriller
Stanford Secures Historic ACC Victory with Last-Second Field Goal
In an unforgettable Friday night showdown, Stanford edged out Syracuse 26-24 thanks to a 39-yard field goal by Emmet Kenney as the clock expired. The victory marked the Cardinal's first-ever win in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play, adding an extra layer of significance to the already dramatic finish.
Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels played a pivotal role in the final moments, orchestrating a game-saving drive that included a critical fourth-down conversion. Down by one with just over three minutes remaining, Daniels connected with wide receiver Elic Ayomanor on a clutch 27-yard pass to keep Stanford's hopes alive. This set up Kenney's game-winning kick, sending the Cardinal sideline into celebration.
“We knew what was at stake," Daniels remarked after the game. "Getting that first ACC win meant everything to us, especially after a tough couple of seasons."
For most of the game, it was a back-and-forth affair. Syracuse, led by quarterback Kyle McCord, took a 24-23 lead late in the fourth quarter on a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Meeks. McCord, who threw for 339 yards, had moments of brilliance but also faced setbacks, including two costly interceptions that led directly to 10 Stanford points.
One of McCord's interceptions was particularly damaging. Stanford's safety Mitch Leigber picked off a pass in the third quarter and returned it 71 yards for a touchdown, extending Stanford's lead to 20-10. Although McCord redeemed himself with a rushing touchdown soon after, it wasn’t enough to stave off Stanford’s resilient comeback.
Kenney was nearly flawless throughout the game, nailing field goals of 38, 51, and 35 yards before clinching the victory with his final kick. “I knew we had the best guys up front, and I just focused on doing my part,” Kenney said. “Seeing that ball go through was like a dream.”
Despite the loss, Syracuse showed grit, especially with standout performances from McCord and receiver Trebor Pena, who tallied 101 receiving yards on 10 catches. However, the Orange struggled on the ground, managing only 26 rushing yards, largely due to Stanford's stifling defense.
Stanford’s defense, led by linebacker David Bailey, made life difficult for McCord all night, sacking him four times and limiting Syracuse’s top rusher, LeQuint Allen, to just 25 yards on eight carries. "The defense has really stepped up these last two weeks," noted Stanford head coach Troy Taylor, whose team also held Cal Poly to just 25 rushing yards in their previous game.
Syracuse head coach Fran Brown defended McCord after the game, stating,
"He gave us a chance to win, and that's all you can ask for. Sure, he had a couple of mistakes, but that’s football."
With the win, Stanford improves to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in ACC play, while Syracuse falls to 2-1. Both teams face tough tests ahead, with Stanford traveling to face Clemson next, and Syracuse preparing for a matchup against Holy Cross.
The win brings newfound hope for the Cardinal, who are eager to make their mark in the ACC after a challenging transition.
