Starting in the slot, Nykeim Johnson’s route was simple: A skinny post down the seam. He just had to be fast. When the five-foot eight-inch sophomore glanced back for the ball about 45 yards from where he started, no North Carolina State defender was in front of him. The only one close to him, nickel corner Tanner Ingle, swung his arms so hard he fell.
Johnson raced 20 more unscathed yards to complete his 82-yard touchdown in an eventual 51-41 Syracuse victory.
“He’s tough to catch all you got to do is put out there and he’s going to run and grab it,” Dungey said.