Matt Johns led UVA back from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit, with Ian Frye tying the game on a 25-yard field goal at the end of regulation, and Virginia outlasted Syracuse in three overtimes in a 44-38 win on Saturday.
Jordan Ellis scored from three yards out in the third overtime to post the winning points for the Cavs (2-4, 1-1 ACC), who trailed 21-14 at the half and 24-14 at the end of three quarters.
It was 24-24 at the end of regulation after a 2-yard TD pass from Johns to Charlie Hopkins with 10:31 left, and the chip-shot field goal from Frye as time expired, which came at the end of an epic 19-play, 88-yard drive that began at the UVA 4.
Ervin Phillips scored on a 7-yard TD pass from Eric Dungey on the first OT possession for Syracuse (3-3, 1-1 ACC) to put the Orange up 31-24. Virginia answered with a 36-yard TD pass from Johns to Canaan Severin to send the game to a second overtime.
Virginia took a 38-31 lead on a 13-yard TD run by Taquan Mizzell, but after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty gave Syracuse the ball at the UVA 12, the ‘Cuse evened things up on a 12-yard TD pass from Dungey to Steve Ishmael.
The UVA D held on Syracuse’s possession in the third OT, forcing a 48-yard field goal attempt by Cole Murphy that missed wide right.
A Mizzell 12-yard run and an 8-yard run by Daniel Hamm got Virginia inside the Syracuse 5, and Ellis took it in from there, scoring on a second-and-goal play to give the Cavs the win.
Johns finished 24-for-37 passing for 234 yards, two touchdowns, one interception and a 130.4 passer rating. The ‘Hoos ran for 159 yards on 44 carries, with Mizzell leading the way with 58 yards on 13 rushes.
Mizzell had 10 catches for 69 yards, and Severin had 70 yards on four catches.
Dungey was 16-of-22 passing for Syracuse for 150 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 160.0 passer rating.
Dungey also led the Orange on the ground with 85 yards on 18 carries.
Virginia outgained Syracuse 393-334.
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