Syracuse quarterback Marvin Graves was the star, throwing for 309 yards on 18-of-31 accuracy. Graves staked the Orangemen to a 14-0 first-quarter lead on a 50-yard TD pass and a three-yard touchdown run.

But OSU responded and eventually tied the game at 17 when Steve Tovar blocked a punt and Tito Paul recovered in the end zone in the fourth quarter. However, less than a minute later, Graves unleashed a 60-yard scoring pass to Antonio Johnson for the final points of the game.