SYRACUSE -- Two second quarter touchdowns, highlighted by a 98-yard kickoff return from Dorian Graham, has extended SU's lead to 21-9 over West Virginia at halftime.
Graham's kickoff return for a touchdown was the first since Mike Holmes' 90-yard run back against Pittsburgh in 2008, and gave the Orange a 21-9 advantage.
Syracuse put together its second 14-play drive to begin the second quarter, a drive of 80 yards that was capped off by a 1-yard scamper by Ryan Nassib. Nassib's second rushing touchdown of the season gave SU a 14-3 lead.
Just three plays however, WVU responded with a 64-yard touchdown strike from Geno Smith to Stadman Bailey, cutting the lead to 14-9. Mountaineers' kicker Tyler Bitancurt missed the extra point. Graham's return followed on the kickoff.
With WVU driving in the finals minutes of the half, Jeremi Wilkes picked off Geno Smith in the endzone to keep the Mountaineers at nine points, its second lowest total of the season.
The Orange took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter with a three yard touchdown pass from Nassib to Nick Provo, which capped off a 14-play, 84 yard drive.
The drive was highlighted by a 27-yard reception by Graham that brought SU down to the West Virginia seven yard line.
The Orange defense held strong towards the end of the quarter as WVU had a first and goal from the nine yard line. SU forced two incompletions and a rush for no yards, forcing the Mountaineers into a field goal.
Nassib is 13-for-20 for 110 yards and a touchdown, while Antwon Bailey leads SU with 49 rushing yards on 12 carries.
(Courtesy SU Athletics)
