SYRACUSE --
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) - Freshman Ross Krautman kicked a 24-yard field goal with 1:07 to play and Syracuse defeated Rutgers 13-10 to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2004.
Krautman also had a career-long 48-yard field goal for the Orangemen (7-3, 4-2 Big East), who have turned things around in two seasons under coach Doug Marrone. Ryan Nassib also threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Antwon Bailey, who had runs of 14 and 15 yards on the game-winning drive.
Freshman Jeremy Deering ran for a career-best 166 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown for Rutgers (4-5, 1-3). The Scarlet Knights have lost three straight, all since defensive tackle Eric LeGrand suffered a spinal cord injury on Oct. 16 that has left him paralzyed from the neck down.
EARLIER COVERAGE:
Just one more win.
A victory today by the Syracuse Orange (6-3, 3-2 in conference) means the football team officially qualifies for its first bowl game since 2004. Standing in their way? The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-4, 1-2 in conference). Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30pm at Rutgers Stadium. The game can be seen on ESPNU.
SU is 4-1 in road games this season.
Last year, SU beat Rutgers 31-13 in the Carrier Dome. Linebacker Doug Hogue set a school record with 6.5 tackles for a loss. The team also tied a school record with nine sacks.
SU holds a 29-10-1 advantage in the all-time series, including a 13-6 record since Big East play started in 1991.The overall series dates back to 1914.
One key to this afternoon's game could be turnovers. SU has converted 11-of-14 turnovers forced by the defense into points.
Normally, six wins is enough to reach postseason play. This year the schedule included two Football Championship Subdivision teams (formerly Division I-AA), thus requiring a seventh win to become bowl eligible.
Statistics provided by SU athletics.
