Syracuse Upsets North Carolina in Overtime Thriller
The Orange secured a 31-30 victory after a reviewed two-point conversion at Kenan Stadium.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Football
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Syracuse defeated North Carolina 31-30 in an overtime game held at Kenan Stadium. A review confirmed the game-winning two-point conversion.
Why it matters
The victory ends a lengthy conference slump for Syracuse, marking the program's first ACC win since September 2025. The result shifts the team's momentum following an 11-game losing streak within the league.
Syracuse secured the 31-30 win after officials confirmed a two-point conversion that snapped an 11-game ACC losing streak. This victory marks the first conference win for the team since September 20, 2025.
The players
Syracuse
This collegiate football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference and recently ended a double-digit conference losing streak.
North Carolina
This university operates a prominent collegiate football program that hosts games at the historic Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill.
Calvin Russell III
The left-handed athlete caught the game-winning two-point conversion to secure the narrow victory for his team.
The details
The game concluded in overtime with a successful play by Calvin Russell III, who secured the conversion while tucking the ball into his left arm. Officials initiated a review of the catch near the goal line before confirming the outcome.
Timeline
September 20, 2025: Syracuse last won an ACC game prior to this matchup.
October 24, 2026: Syracuse defeated North Carolina at Kenan Stadium.
Season Trajectory
This win effectively breaks a long-standing conference losing streak that has defined the team's struggles since September 2025. The result provides a significant boost for Syracuse while simultaneously altering the conference standings for North Carolina.
The result snaps an 11-game conference losing streak for Syracuse, providing the team with a rare momentum shift in league standings. For North Carolina, this overtime loss impacts their overall conference positioning and record.
The takeaway
Ending a double-digit losing streak demonstrates the impact of narrow margin execution in high-pressure overtime scenarios. Teams often use such momentum-shifting victories to adjust player rotation and confidence levels for the remainder of the season.
Further reading
For more on local gridiron developments, visit the Football section.
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After a close victory, are you more likely to follow your team's next games?
