Syracuse (5-2, 2-2 Atlantic Coast) pulled off a 40-37 double-overtime comeback win against North Carolina (1-5, 1-3) on Saturday in the Carrier Dome.

Tommy DeVito entered the game with 5:07 remaining and sparked a comeback as a bruised up defense still struggled to contain big plays. Ultimately, DeVito’s three touchdown passes — two in overtime — were enough to push SU to the win.

Here’s this week’s stock watch.

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STOCK UP

 Ifeatu Melifonwu

 Redshirt freshman Ifeatu Melifonwu, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound corner, excelled in spot duty for injured cornerback Chris Fredrick, who went down with a sprained ankle in the first quarter.

Lined up primarily against Anthony Ratliff-Williams, the Tar Heels’ No. 1 wideout, Melifonwu clamped down. He finished the game with four pass breakups and a tackle for loss.

His most critical pass defense came as North Carolina took possession at the SU 39-yard line with less than a minute left in a tie game. On first down, UNC quarterback Nathan Elliott threw to Ratliff-Williams on a comeback. Melifonwu stuck to his mark and jammed his hand in to knock the ball away.

After the game, Babers praised Melifonwu, who might be needed going forward — Scoop Bradshaw, SU’s other corner, was hurt later in the game.

Shyheim Cullen

 Redshirt junior linebacker Shyheim Cullen played extended time on Saturday for the first time all season.

When Syracuse played in the 4-3, Cullen was on the field, and he even featured in two linebacker sets when SU went to the nickel defense. Until Saturday, the Orange was rigid at linebacker, only featuring Ryan Guthrie, Andrew Armstrong and Kielan Whitner.

Cullen finished with five solo tackles.

 Tommy DeVito

 In four drives, DeVito threw three touchdown passes and led Syracuse to a comeback, double-overtime win.

DeVito came on in relief of Eric Dungey and an anemic offense as Dino Babers hoped to spark his offense. It worked as DeVito immediately launched a 50-yarder to Jamal Custis down the left sideline. He later floated a beautiful 42-yard touchdown to Nykeim Johnson with 1:39 left to tie the game.

Shining in this opportunity comes at a good time for DeVito, as Dungey has plateaued in play recently, struggling to find consistency in the passing game with one touchdown and three interceptions his last three games.

In leading a comeback win on Saturday, DeVito sent his stock skyward.

 STOCK DOWN

 Big plays

 Again, the nadir of Syracuse’s defense was the big play.

UNC wide receiver Dazz Newsome took a sweep around the edge for a 55-yard gain on the first play of a two-play scoring drive for the Tar Heels. Later, he returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown that put North Carolina ahead, 21-20.

Since the opener against Western Michigan, the SU defense has been susceptible to chunk plays, and Saturday was no different.

Cornerback health

 Starting cornerbacks Bradshaw and Fredrick left Saturday’s game at different points with injuries.

After the game, Babers said Fredrick sprained his ankle and is expected back next weekend. He didn’t have an update on Bradshaw, who left the field favoring his left arm, where trainers appeared to attend to his wrist.

In Fredrick’s absence, the aforementioned Melifonwu played in relief. Syracuse only played one defensive play without Bradshaw, and was in a 4-3 defense with Trill Williams taking his spot at cornerback.

Having Fredrick back is good news for SU, which must hope the prognosis on Bradshaw is good, too.

 Pass rush

 Syracuse’s pass rush, arguably the best facet of the team, didn’t show up against the Tar Heels.

The Orange finished with one sack against the Tar Heels, along with three hurries. Elliott stood in the pocket consistently Saturday, completing 34 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns.

For a unit that produced 20 sacks in the six prior games, the lowly output is cause for concern.

With North Carolina State and NFL prospect quarterback Ryan Finley coming to the Carrier Dome on Saturday, Syracuse needs to get after the quarterback.

Football, Syracuse football, Cuse FB, Cuse football, SU FB, SU football, Syracuse Orange football, Syracuse University football, ACC football, Atlantic Coast Conference football, Cuse, College football, Syracuse FB, Dino Babers, Babers, Dungey, Eric Dungey, Carrier Dome, no-huddle

Published on October 21, 2018 at 10:51 pm

Contact Andrew: aegraham@syr.edu | @A_E_Graham