– Let’s start by giving credit to the Orange. This was a program that looked like it was a program that looked like it was on the ropes this season. Instead, SU wins a critical game and doesn’t have to worry about six wins for another week.
– AJ Long has his first career start and there’s no question he’s the right man for the job. While the Orange defense created offense, the attack didn’t seem as pitiful as it was when Terrel Hunt ran it. Long may not always be pretty, but he’s a winner.
– This was a big win from the defensive perspective. While lots of attention surrounded the QB position this week, this Orange team will likely be decided by its defense. And in this game the defense created turnovers and points.
– Scott Shafer might not be known as an SU offensive mind, but this is where he can prove people wrong. The defense is good enough to make plays and create points. But making sure it doesn’t give up big plays is the key. On Saturday he didn’t let any of that happen.
Posted: D.A.
16 responses to “Rapid Reactions: Syracuse Snaps Losing Streak”
Syracuse scored 30 points in this game and contrary to what some might think,AJ Long continues to impress. The defense forced/recovered two fumbles and returned them for touchdowns by linemen putting 12 points on the board. The offense led by AJ Long(TRUE FRESHMAN) put another 18 points on the board with the QB running the ball for a score and Cole Murphy(TRUE FRESHMAN) kicking 3 field goals and 3 extra points for a total of 12 points.
The freshman continues to look real good and indicates to me the future of Syracuse Football looks pretty bright. If Syracuse can play hard nosed football next week,I feel we have a good shot at upsetting Clemson and going (4-4 ACC 2-2) for the year. Clemson had a hard time against Boston College and beat them 17-13 today.
I feel the team is starting to jell at the right time and for those who might disagree AJ Long has solidified himself as the starting QB for the remainder of the season.
Let the speculation and guessing from all of us begin for Clemson is on the horizon. LET’S GO ORANGEMEN.
Ron,
I was at the game today and your analysis is spot on, the team looked good today. Wake Forest is a bad team and because we jumped out to a big lead, it felt like on offense, we played really conservatively most of the second half. It was nice to get McFarland back and Morris played well also. As we get some more players back from the injury list, played like Estime and Broyld, I think our offensive playmaking will improve. I would have liked to see us perform better in the red zone. We need those field goals to be touchdowns if we want to win big games against better opponents. I would like to see us play more “power football” down in the red zone. The Tank package is a start! I will be down in Death Valley next weekend‚Ķ..looking for Cuse to pull the big upset‚Ķ.Go Cuse‚Ķ.
Going to try to watch the replay in a few minutes. Glad to hear that the team won. I had very reasonable expectations for the team and despite injuries and some turmoil, I think the team should be on pace to atleast hit another bowl game. I’ll be watching to see how Long plays ofcourse but since you all raved about the defense I am looking forward to that as well. WF’s qb is a true freshman with some level of HS repute. Wake isn’t really ready for primetime and are rebuilding but a win beats a loss any day.
Dr. Bill
I noticed and mentioned to my wife on how many people were there dressed in Orange,they all looked great and I’m glad you enjoyed the experience. Next week against Clemson should be a barn burner.
I’ve been a big fan of George Morris II and Devantae MacFarlane running the ball and when you put guy’s like Ervin Philips;Brisley Estime in to join them Syracuse becomes lethal. I believe the defense looked super today. I find out that Cameron Lynch is in second place in the ACC by .3 of a percantage point for QB sacks in a game. I want to mention two players on defense in todays game who I thought played super because of both players coming back after being injured. Eric Crume played real big today and so did John Raymon. Coming back this early after the severe knee injury he took last fall at Georgia Tech, is a testament to the kids love of the game.
It would be nice if Syracuse pulled the upset next week and improves it’s record to 4-4 and 2-2 ACC. Not only did Clemson have trouble with Boston College,Duke struggled against Virginia beating them 20-13 and NC State lost to Louisville 30-18. The next three weeks of the schedule should be really interesting.
I went to the game also, and yes, many Orange faithful were there.
A couple of observations….
ISHMAEL may be the best receiver we have right now…he is athletic, fearless, holds onto the ball and knows where the 1st down markers are.
Special teams tackling is poor…Clemson may take 2 “to the house” if we don’t put better players on coverage teams.
SHOUTOUT to the people who staff BBand T Field…From parking lot attendants..to vendors to ushers…ALL were pleasant to talk to/helpful
leading to a great experience.
Thanks guys for the updates..really miss going to the games!Question..has the play calling improved…sounded better against Fl State..Wake is just not very good but MCD couldn’t call those games either…Could this guy make it or are we looking for an OC in the Spring?
I’d be thrilled with winning one of.. Clemson, BC..their actually a pretty good team..saw the Ohio State game..they did themselves proud…..Duke.
Think we have a chance at NCST St.
Keep putting the freshmen on the field..stress fundamentals.. Stay on top of the recruiting class.
The more we play the freshmen, the more the recruits can picture themselves getting early playing time….maybe we go 2-2… Good outcome!
Oops.. Sorry I forgot Pitt….
2-3….best I can see…3-2 would require help from above! But it’s college ball and you never know!
orangeinva
I’m glad that the fans that went to the game had a good time. Usually when I travel I make an effort to talk with fans from other areas. For me it was the Central Michigan game,their fans were friendly,the stadium was a great place to watch a game in making it an experience that I won’t forget for a long time. My experience talking to some of the Clemson Fans last year tells me,the Syracuse Fans should experience the same at Death Valley. Enjoy it people.
The freshmen are looking great and appears to be setting a fairly high bar/standard for excellance in the coming years. Someone at the university must have heard Terry’s and my complaints and questions on why we weren’t playing the freshmen last year. The announcers for the Wake Forest game said that Wake was in a rebuilding mode and 74% of the players that were on the field were true/redshirt freshmen.
The play of the freshmen this year have made me happy. I can’t speak for Terry,but I’m sure he feels the same way about them.
GO CUSE;
i’m pumped, i think aj long deserves the starting nod,and keep wilson and kimble as reserves. so happy for the team and the coaches. hopefully we can stay healthy here on out and get some of the other players back for clemson.
Cuse17
Tim Lester has been OC for two games now and his play calling has changed the way Syracuse plays the game. I was thrilled to see George Morris II,Devantae MacFarlane and Addonis Ameen Moore in the game yesterday. What about that new “I formation” he used at the goal line? Going forward I think Lester has secured the job of being the OC for Syracuse University.
Cuse 17
Concerning the play calling, I think Lester has done some things that the previous OC did not emphasize. The two biggest things to me are:
1) The play calling is more tailored to the personnel on the team. Prime example: Our starting center was out, a new inexperienced center played. The calls were designed to get the ball outside of the tackles with options and bubble screens and put less emphasis on the inside run game. In the red zone, he went with a jumbo package to enhance the inside run…….and throwing fades to our best receiver Ishmael…that pick play for 6 was a nice call and should not have been a penalty
2) Lester’s play calling appears to have purpose and the plays seem to build on each other with an emphasis on the run game, which then opens up play action passes. He is rolling AJ out of the pocket to pass more than Hunt ..because AJ is an accurate passer on the move.
Just my observations. I think Lestor shows great promise. We just did not have the kind of athletes yet to run the kind of offense MCDonald wanted to run. It will be interesting to see if Lestor changes the entire play book and goes to the power type packages he ran in DIII with an emphasis on tight ends and fullbacks.
A little noticed late game move that Shafer made was ver smart. Getting AJ off the field to prevent him getting hurt and at the same time give Kimble his first snaps at QB. Kimble is the next man up if AJ gets dinged and that is not a good thing
While I give credit to Terry and Ron for being the first to really push for freshmen to get pt..I think the freshmen who are playin earned in practicing hard and standing out for the coaches..which is what we all want. A meritocracy
Cuse17
Tim Lester has inserted different plays for the team and has called two completely different games over the last two weeks. George MacDonald ran a stagnated offense using Terrell Hunt as the primary RB instead of a QB that should have been using the teams offensive weapons to the fullest and wasn’t.
Tim lester changed the attitudes of the players from week 1 to week 2 by inserting new plays and using the teams personnel to their strength and ability. Step back for a moment and look at the differences he’s made. a) we have a freshman QB throwing the ball down field hitting different receivers b) he’s inserted new formations in the red zone offense called the ‚ÄúTank formation‚Äù,which uses both TE’s and DL Ron Thompson with PTG or AJ Long running the ball. Remember now Ron Thompson was at one time a big TE. LOOK FOR AJ LONG TO THROW TO RON THOMPSON FOR A TD OUT OF THIS FORMATION.
Syracuse looks different with Tim Lester leading/running the offense. Clemson should be on ‚Äúupset alert‚Äù,it’s going to be interesting. In my opinion Lester has become the new OC ,in two weeks he’s earned it.
definitely lovin ish. in the lead up to the season he was singled out for his route running great trait for a young wr. he obviously brings good size and hands too. way too early but I can see ish as a legit nfl wr prospect in a couple yrs. pardon grammar typing on my not so smart smarphone
The last two weeks it has been fun to watch the offense. AJ can hit his receivers anywhere on the field. AND there is the threat of him taking off and funning it in. He is fast! I actually have hope we can still get a bowl game. ( even if it is the lowest of bowls, it gives us three weeks of extra practice and some more exposure )