Syracuse was far from pretty but plenty patient in mounting a 15-point fourth-quarter comeback and shocking Wake Forest in overtime, 36-29, Thursday night in the Carrier Dome.

Ryan Nassib showed all the poise one would expect of a senior quarterback, capping the season-opener with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Van Chew in the extra session.

Nassib and the Orange offense exploded for 29 points in the second half after having just one drive of more than three plays in the first half. He finished 20-of-28 for 178 yards and three touchdowns, but his most important pass came on a 2-point conversion to Chew with 7:07 left in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 29. Antown Bailey scored a 53-yard touchdown on the drive and finished with 115 yards rushing.

An interception on the ensuing Wake drive by Kevyn Scott put the Orange in position to win in regulation, but the Demon Deacons blocked a 33-yard field goal attempt by Ross Krautman with 2:07 left.

Wake Forest, which was picked to finish last in the Atlantic Division of the ACC, looked primed for the upset after Tanner Price continuously carved up the defense and fired his third touchdown pass of the near the end of the third quarter. The sophomore, though, was knocked out late in the fourth with a leg injury and backup Ted Stachitas failed to rally the offense.