Syracuses high after an upset of Louisville lasted all of one week.
Cory Jones scored two first half touchdowns and Miami of Ohio held off a Syracuse rally to win 17-14 Saturday afternoon in Ohio.
The scoring began early in the second quarter, thanks to a Syracuse turnover. Andrew Robinson never handled the snap from center and finally lost control three yards behind the line of scrimmage, where the RedHawks recovered.
On the next play, Mike Kokal hit Dustin Woods at the one. Jones punched it in a play later to give Miami a 7-0 lead. Late in the half, Jones scored up the middle from 13 yards away to make it 14-0 at halftime.
Syracuse got on the board five minutes into the third quarter. Robinson lofted a perfect pass to Mike Williams, splitting double coverage for a 43 yard touchdown.
The RedHawks responded with a field goal early in the 4th quarter, upping their lead to ten points. Robinson got the Orange close again with a 28 yard touchdown to Taj Smith and lead was down to 17-14 with four minutes to go. However, Syracuses last chance started on their own 11 yard line and consisted of a sack, a penalty Miami declined, a short completion and a batted down pass.
The Orange get Big East power West Virginia next week with the Mountaneers in an ornery mood after an upset loss against South Florida on Friday.