Syracuse, NY – Every gambler knows that you won’t leave Las Vegas with a win unless you get a little lucky.

Both teams had moments of happiness in Syracuse’s chaotic, back-and-forth, 44-41 victory over UNLV. The result gave Syracuse its second win over a ranked opponent this season and knocked the Rebels out of the undefeated college football bracket.

UNLV’s luck included scoring 14 points on poor SU’s special teams play, a high snap that provided the perfect reason for quarterback Hajj Malik-Williams to break out of the pocket and run for a 3-yard touchdown and a soft chop block call against the Dutch in overtime.

Syracuse certainly has its share of luck, though. Here are five moments when the chips fell to SU in Vegas, including three crucial plays in the final two minutes of the game and overtime.

8:48 remaining in the third quarter

Syracuse had just taken a 24-21 lead when UNLV faced 2nd and 8 from the 27. Syracuse’s Justin Barron pressured UNLV quarterback Hajj Malik-Williams, who tried to avoid a sack with a short side-arm pass to his running back to throw back.

The pass was behind Malik-Williams’ receiver, but in his attempt to make a one-handed catch, he tapped the ball directly into the chest of a hard-closing Duce Chestnut.

Kastanje did well to react quickly and squeeze the ball. Running back Yasin Willis rushed 21 yards for a touchdown on SU’s first offensive play, giving the Orange a 31-21 lead.

14:06 remaining in the fourth quarter

With the score tied at 31 and Syracuse facing a 3rd-and-1 at its 40-yard line, the Orange committed a potentially damaging illegal substitution penalty after wide receiver Darrell Gill Jr. staggered off the field.

On the next snap, UNLV defensive lineman Alexander Whitmore appeared to sack Kyle McCord back at the 28-yard line.

Unfortunately for Whitmore, officials said he ended up in McCord’s face mask during his rush. The television showed no particularly prolonged or deliberate jerking.

Instead of scoring on its own – a disastrous proposition for the Dutch on Friday – Syracuse got a first.

The Orange wouldn’t score, but it would make eleven more offensive plays on the drive before giving UNLV the ball on its 6-yard line. Such drives left the Rebels defense looking exhausted in the final stages of the game

1:33 remaining in the fourth quarter

With Syracuse trailing 38-31 and at the UNLV 33-yard line, Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord targeted Yasin Willis with a short pass over the middle.

McCord’s throw to his young running back was high and Willis reached out to try to make a catch. Willis’ attempt popped the ball into the air and UNLV’s offensive linebacker Mani Powell had a chance to grab it but failed to make the sprinting catch.

Syracuse then scored a touchdown to tie the game, but not before getting a second dose of luck.

:27 remaining in the fourth quarter

Syracuse got second from the 6-yard line on its final chance to force overtime when McCord tried to squeeze a short pass into the hands of wide receiver Trebor Pena.

The ball hit UNLV safety Jackson Woodard directly in the hands, but he dropped it. Syracuse tied the game on the next play.

Pro Football Focus graded McCord as having three turnover-worthy plays. The rebels were only able to secure one of them.

3rd and 20 in overtime

This situation was caused by a bit of bad luck after Syracuse was called for a weak chop block on 2nd and 5.

Still, the Orange found themselves in a bad spot on the UNLV 24-yard line, facing a 3rd-and-20.

With Jayden Oh starting his first college game as a place-kicker for the Dutch and kicking issues being an issue leading up to the game, asking him to make a tying kick and force a second overtime would have been a tough spot.

Fortunately for the Dutch team, it did not have to ask that question.

UNLV’s Whitmore hit McCord just after he released a throw to LeQuint Allen. The completion took 1 yard, but a rough call from the passer gave the Dutch another set down. Allen scored the winning touchdown three plays later.

Contact Chris Carlson anytime: Email | Tweet | 315-382-7932

Fans can stream Syracuse football all season long on fuboTV and get cheap tickets to see Orange from SeatGeek. Fanatics has a full collection of Syracuse Orange gear to shop online.