Syracuse loses at home as Stockstill and Shafer get emotional win

After a dominant performance last Friday night against Central Connecticut State, Syracuse football head coach Dino Babers and his troops had the same thing in mind when they hosted Middle Tennessee State in the Carrier Dome.

The talk all week was the return of former Syracuse Head Coach, Scott Shafer. The Middle Tennessee State defensive coach was making his return to the Dome for the first time since being fired in November 2015.

Photo: Erika Sternard

The game between Syracuse and the Middle Tennesse Blue Raiders took place September 9, 2017.

The contest consisted of two dual threat quarterbacks. Both Eric Dungey and Brent Stockstill, were able to manage the run and pass game as they both had the skilled personnel on the outside that allowed them to show of the arm, and air it out.

It was Stockstill that came out victorious as Shafer’s Blue Raiders defense made a game-saving fourth down stop with under a minute left that would lead Middle Tennessee State to a shocking 30-23 victory over the Orange.

A low scoring first half took the Orange to the locker room leading 13-9.

Eric Dungey was the story of the third quarter. Dungey took a series of hits early in the half that sidelined him for a few plays, as senior Zack Mahoney stepped in under center until Dungey was able to return.

Stockstill showed off the arm strength throwing for three touchdowns, one in the 3rd quarter and two in the 4th. The last one came in the late moments of the game, as he hit Shane Tucker for a 10-yard pass. This gave the Blue Raiders a 30-23 lead.

The Orange had a chance to make things interesting with under a minute to play in the 4th quarter, but failed to convert on a crucial fourth and fifteen, coming up about a foot short of the first down marker.

In a game where the emotions and drama was high, the Orange fell to 1-1. The Blue Raiders were able to grab its first win of the season.

Dino Babers and company host Central Michigan next Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Following that, they have road games against LSU and NC State.