Virginia Tech still thought itself great. Syracuse, through the first two-thirds of the 2002 season, had already proven it wasn’t.

Yet when the opportunity for greatness beckoned — and the victor of any epic game deserves credit for at least a small spell of greatness — the Orangemen answered with an inspired performance worth remembering.

Syracuse’s 50-42 win against the Hokies on Saturday at the Carrier Dome produced so many dramatic obstacles that, as the jubilant Orangemen swarmed off the field, obstacles finally overcome, thoughts of an otherwise-disappointing season seemed lost in the excitement.

Three overtimes. Six lead changes. Offensive statistics that look more like state census data. And most improbably, an upset of the No. 8 team in the nation.

“I thought the team never gave in,” head coach Paul Pasqualoni said after watching SU (4-6, 2-3 Big East) extend its winning streak to three games. “They fought hard. There is tremendous character on this team. You couldn’t break their will.”

Some accomplishments were especially unlikely.

David Tyree — a prototype possession receiver, a player who entered the game with 243 yards on the season — slanted his way to a 229-yard receiving day while, on special teams, blocking a Tech punt for the third consecutive year.

Walter Reyes, thought once to be just a stopgap between James Mungro and talented freshman Damien Rhodes, further established himself as bonafide No. 1 back, rushing for 118 yards and three touchdowns, setting the all-time SU single-season rushing touchdown record (15).

Troy Nunes — a Dome whipping-boy throughout his career, a senior backup at midseason — completed 24 of 40 passes and threw for the second-highest passing total in school history (403 yards).

“It was a game to remember for the rest of Troy’s life,” offensive coordinator George DeLeone said. “Under the total scope of his career, with the ups and downs, for him to walk off the field with that win … well, I guess that’s why I stay in coaching.”

Saturday saw the offense’s best performance of the season, as it racked up 604 total yards on 100 plays. The final 25 yards came on the game-clinching touchdown run, when Rhodes took a counter to his left and sprung into the end zone. The Orangemen extended the lead to eight after a two-point conversion.

Virginia Tech (8-2, 3-2) had a chance to answer — as it had done successfully so many times earlier in the game against a porous Syracuse secondary — but a first-down toss to the end zone was intercepted by SU safety Maurice McClain.

Tech quarterback Bryan Randall intended the final pass for lanky wideout Ernest Wilford, who shredded the Orangemen for four touchdowns and a school-record 279 receiving yards.

“(Wilford) was a real tall guy and he was an amazing athlete,” SU cornerback Steve Gregory said. “We gave up more big plays that we should have, but the victory kind of saves us.”

Especially because Syracuse needed a remarkable string of odds-defying completions and stops just to remain in the game.

Start with the first quarter when, in a three-play sequence, SU forced a fumble on a Tech punt return, Nunes threw a pick on the next play and then Wilford — sprinting past Gregory’s single-coverage — hauled in a 75-yard touchdown for a 14-3 lead.

Or take this sequence in the fourth, when Syracuse held a tenuous 28-21 lead. With eight minutes remaining in regulation, Randall again hit Wilford, this time on an 87-yard scoring strike. Syracuse punted, and Randall connected with tight end Keith Willis. Willis was dragged down at the SU eight but not after scampering for — you guessed it — 87 yards.

“We took what they gave us,”’ said Randall, who finished with 504 yards passing. “There wasn’t a doubt in our minds that we couldn’t move the ball through the air.”

And for the longest time, the Hokies didn’t doubt they’d win.

All they needed to do was have placekicker Carter Warley make a 46-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining in regulation. Or have him make a 36-yarder in the first overtime. Or bat down Nunes’ fourth-down touchdown pass to tight end Joe Donnelly in the second overtime.

“We just couldn’t get it done,” Tech coach Frank Beamer said. “But give Syracuse credit. They found a way to win at the end.”

Virginia Tech, just 10 days ago serious contenders for a national title, is now eliminated from Bowl Championship Series contention. Broken by the sudden fall, Hokies offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring tossed down his clipboard and fell into tears minutes after the game in a Dome corridor.

Syracuse players and coaches, meanwhile, glowed with pride and — if only for a game — greatness.

“I thought we showed unbelievable character,” DeLeone said. “A number of times, we could have folded the tent and gone home. I’m so proud of what this team accomplished under the circumstances of the season.”

Published on November 10, 2002 at 12:00 pm