Syracuse loses game vs. NC State by spiking ball on 4th down originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
There’s losing, and then there’s losing on a critical mental mistake.
Syracuse fell to NC State 36-29 on Saturday after quarterback Rex Culpepper spiked the ball on fourth down. The incomplete pass resulted in a turnover on downs as the clock expired, handing NC State the victory despite the Orange driving into the red zone on their final drive.
It’s been a tough season for Syracuse, who moved to 1-9 on the year with the loss. The Orange have finished a full season with one win or fewer only once in the past 70 years. That fateful season came in 2005, when Syracuse went 1-10 in former head coach Greg Robinson’s first year with the program.
Quarterback Bailey Hockman led the way for the Wolfpack, tossing four touchdowns and one interception with 313 passing yards and a fumble. The NC State defense shut down Syracuse’s running game, holding the entire team to three rushing yards on 25 attempts.
