Brown on reversed targeting penalty, Cook fumble: ‘They made the right call’

Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse trailed Duke by seven early in the second quarter.

The Orange offense already had an interception and a three-and-out to its name, and a drive that got down to Duke’s 6-yard line resulted in a 29-yard field goal.

Syracuse’s defense responded with a stop and, just as the offense was ready to capitalize, all its momentum seemingly ground to a halt after one controversial ruling early in the second quarter.

Johntay Cook II hauled in a 19-yard catch on 2nd-and-20 to get to Duke’s 37-yard line. Officials then called Duke’s Jaiden Francois for targeting for his hit to Cook’s head. Syracuse’s would’ve had first down from Duke’s 22-yard line with a chance to tie the game at 10 points.

The play went to review, as all targeting calls do, and Syracuse got the worst news