Northwestern 42, Syracuse 41: Backup quarterback Trevor Siemian threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Fields with 44 seconds remaining to lead Northwestern to a thrilling win over the host Orange.

The win was the eighth straight season-opening victory for the Wildcats under head coach Pat Fitzgerald, while the Orange dropped their sixth straight game dating to their 2011 late-season collapse.

Siemian's heroics overshadowed a record-setting performance by Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib and averted a collapse by the Wildcats, who had a 22-point lead midway through the third quarter. Nassib finished 44-for-65 for a school-record 470 yards and four touchdowns.

Trailing 35-13, Nassib led the Orange on four consecutive touchdown drives to give Syracuse a 41-35 lead with 2:40 remaining.

Siemian, who took over for starter Kain Colter at the start of the fourth quarter, drove the Wildcats 75 yards in 10 plays in just 1:56, capped by the throw to Fields in the back of the end zone to stun the Orange.

Colter passed for 135 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 40 and another score in the first three quarters to lead Northwestern.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Marcus Sales, who sat out the entire 2011 season for Syracuse because of legal issues, caught 11 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. Venric Mark had 281 all-purpose yards for Northwestern, with 134 coming on two punt returns, including an 82-yard touchdown. Mark also rushed for 82 yards and caught a TD pass.