WINSTON-SALEM — Sam Hartman threw four touchdown passes in the final home game of a record-setting career in Wake Forest’s 45-35 win over Syracuse on Saturday night.
Three of those scoring strikes went to A.T. Perry and the Demon Deacons snapped a three-game losing streak.
After trailing 21-10, the Demon Deacons (7-4, 3-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) rattled off the next 35 points. The scoring spree was punctuated by Brendon Harris’ 36-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Hartman was 30-for-43 for 331 yards. With 104 career touchdown throws, he’s three away from former Clemson quarterback Tahj Boyd’s ACC record of 107.
Syracuse (6-5, 3-4) has lost five games in a row since a torrid start that put the Orange in the national rankings. Sean Tucker ran for two touchdowns and 106 yards on 16 carries and LeQuint Allen threw for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass. Garrett Shrader was 17 of 31 for 324 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Hartman connected with Perry for three first-half touchdown plays, including a 10-yarder to take the lead 12 seconds before the break.
Perry, who caught 10 balls for 119 yards, became the all-time Wake Forest leader for touchdown receptions with 27.
The sequence late in the first half marked a rapid turnaround. Two sacks pushed Syracuse from inside the 10-yard line, resulting in a long field goal attempt falling short. Wake Forest responded with the go-ahead touchdown and never trailed again.
Tucker had a 9-yard scoring run for the game’s first points and added a go-ahead 2-yard run in the second quarter.
Hartman’s 12-yard pass to Perry in the back corner of the end zone gave Wake Forest its first touchdown.
Syracuse used a trick play when Allen, a running back threw a 33-yard pass to Devaughn Cooper as the Orange built a 21-10 lead.
Tucker eclipsed the 3,000-yard rushing mark for his career.
Wake Forest plays at Duke next Saturday.
