Halftime: USF 20, Syracuse 10

Posted Nov 11, 2011 by Adam Adkins

Updated Nov 11, 2011 at 10:48 PM

SYRACUSE, N.Y. We’ve reached halftime at the Carrier Dome, and USF has gone into the break with a 20-10 lead over Syracuse.

After holding a 3-0 lead after one quarter, USF was able to produce the game’s first touchdown after a gutsy fourth-down call on its first possession of the quarter. Facing 4th-and-1 from the Syracuse 5, the Bulls opted to go for it, and Demetris Murray came through with a 1-yard run for a fresh set of downs.

USF cashed in on the very next play, with Marcus Shaw darting up the middle for a 4-yard score. It was Shaw’s second touchdown run of the season, and it put the Bulls ahead 10-0 with 10:51 left in the half.

Syracuse was able to get on the board about seven minutes later. Quarterback Ryan Nassib hooked up with receiver Alec Lemon on a 10-yard scoring pass, which came one play after Nassib converted a third-and-14 situation with a 22-yard pass. The made it a 10-7 game with 3:52 left before halftime, but USF came right back.

The ensuing kickoff went out of bounds, and Syracuse was called for a personal foul on the play as well, setting the Bulls up to start at the Orange 45. USF wasted little time taking advantage.

Quarterback B.J. Daniels connected with receiver Andre Davis on a 42-yard pass on the drive’s opening play, and Daniels scored on a 3-yard run on the very next play to push the Bulls lead to 17-7.

Syracuse was able to drive down the field on its ensuing possession and get a field goal to pull within seven, but USF answered again just before the break to take a 10-point lead into halftime.

The Bulls marched 52 yards to set up a field goal try, and Maikon Bonani converted from 46 yards out on the final play of the half to make it a 20-10 game.