Syracuse vs. Wake Forest: Orange Tops Demon Deacons in ACC Opener

For a while there, it seemed like we were approaching full-on panic mode. With Wake Forest driving up 17-13 late in the third quarter, a loss loomed in what was essentially a must-win game for Syracuse.

And then, suddenly, the Orange flipped the script en route to a 30-17 win. A personal foul penalty on Cortez Lewis pushed the Demon Deacons back 15 yards and out of field goal range. Two plays later, Wake had to punt. And on SU's next play from scrimmage, Eric Dungey found Brisly Estime for an 89-yard score, giving Syracuse a 20-17 lead.

Dungey would throw another touchdown pass on Syracuse's next possession -- a 53-yard strike to Steve Ishmael -- and finished 8-of-13 for 221 yards passing and two touchdowns despite a shaky first half. The team's only other touchdown was scored by Donnie Simmons, who returned an interception 41 yards to the end zone in the second quarter.

Wake Forest held a 17-13 lead at halftime thanks largely to a suspect performance from Syracuse's secondary, but the Orange's defense clamped down and shut out the Demon Deacons in the final two quarters. With Wake threatening to score in the waning moments, Corey Winfield intercepted John Wolford's pass in the top right corner of the end zone, sealing SU's victory.

The win puts the Orange at 2-0 overall and 1-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. We'll have plenty more reaction today and into tomorrow, but for now, leave your thoughts in the comments section here.