Author: Thomas Shults
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Touchdown Tommy isn’t All Arm, He’s Got Legs Too
After Syracuse marched down the field on its opening drive for a Moe Neal touchdown in less than two minutes, it seemed like the Orange had one objective in mind. Run the football. Little did we know that the running backs wouldn‚Äôt be the only rushers. But it seems like Dino Babers knew. ‚ÄúTommy could…
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How Does SU’s Recruiting Class Stack Up With Rest of ACC
As we head into Week 4 of the college football season, it seems like a good time to check in on Syracuse football‚Äôs recruiting class. Dino Babers isn‚Äôt known for big time recruiting classes, but he consistently finds diamonds in the rough ‚Äì like Andre Cisco. He‚Äôs also formed one of the best special teams…
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Babers Bites: Western Michigan Preview
Sterling is better than gold Dino Babers on punter Sterling Hofrichter: ‚ÄúHe can do a lot of things well. He can rugby, he can move, he‚Äôs more athletic than what he looks like‚Ķ He‚Äôs an NFL kicker if you saw some of the hang time on some of those kicks, you know like OMG‚Ķ He…
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What’s the Worst Case Scenario for Syracuse vs Western Michigan?
On Saturday former Syracuse offensive coordinator Tim Lester will bring his 2-1 Western Michigan team to the Carrier Dome for a showdown against a stumbling SU squad. And while the Broncos suffered a blowout loss to Michigan State, they did smoke Georgia State 57-10 ‚Äì a team that beat Tennessee. By no means is this…
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Offensive Line Faces Tough Challenge With Tigers Roaring In
Before we dive into the bad news and ponder what may happen to SU‚Äôs offensive line against Clemson‚Äôs front seven on Saturday, let‚Äôs begin with some good news. Airon Servais recorded his first tackle of the season last week. Three years of hard work finally paid off, as Servais notched the second tackle of his…
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5 Takeaways from Syracuse’s Blowout Loss to Maryland
Syracuse arrived in College Park, Maryland expecting to cruise to a 2-0 start to the season. Instead, the Terrapins walloped the Orange 63-20 behind six rushing touchdowns. The strength of SU‚Äôs squad ‚Äì the defense ‚Äì seemed to think arm tackles would get the job done. The Terps had other plans. Generally I try to…
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Will SU Continue Running Back by Committee Approach?
In Syracuse‚Äôs 24-0 win over Liberty, Moe Neal and Abdul Adams both carried the ball 14 times, while Jarveon Howard chimed in with nine rushes of his own. All in all, the team ran for a tick under 200 yards, propelling the Orange to their first win of the season. And with Tommy DeVito‚Äôs Week…
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Two More Defensive Stars May be Emerging for Syracuse
Can SU replace Chris Slayton in the middle of its defensive line? Who is going to line up across the field from Christopher Fredrick at cornerback? Those were two of the biggest question marks heading into the season. And already, Syracuse may have answered them. Senior defensive tackle Josh Black was named ACC Defensive Lineman…
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Predicting 2019 Tommy DeVito vs. 2018 Eric Dungey, who’s better?
Since Tommy DeVito is entering his first season as the starter, the quarterback position may take a step back. Of course he isn‚Äôt the rushing threat that Eric Dungey was. Instead he‚Äôs a pure passer. In Dino Babers‚Äô air-raid like offense, that bodes well. So let‚Äôs predict how his stats will stack up against Dungey‚Äôs…
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Could Syracuse’s Italy Trip Foreshadow Upcoming Season?
Another day, another victory for Syracuse as it moves to 2-0 on its trip to Italy after clobbering Oxygen Bassano 103-54. Leading the way was Buddy Boeheim, who drained five triples on his way to an efficient 22 points to lead all scorers. Bourama Sidibe racked up a double-double, logging 10 points while pulling down…
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Syracuse’s top recruiting priority is restocking defensive line
In recent memory, Syracuse fans have become spoiled with speedy, quick-twitch edge rushers who excel at bending around the edge and leaping to the quarterback. Unfortunately after next season, SU loses six defensive linemen, including defensive stalwarts Kendall Coleman and Alton Robinson.¬† SU also loses defensive end Brandon Berry, who backs up Robinson, as well…
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SU Reels in Local TE in 2020 Recruiting Class
On Sunday, Steven Mahar committed to Syracuse, marking the first tight end commit (if Justin Barron plays wide receiver) of Dino Babers‚Äô 2020 recruiting class. Besides SU, Mahar was being recruited by Boston College, Indiana, and Iowa State among others. The Rochester, NY native is a three-star TE-Y, meaning he‚Äôll line up next to the…
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After Two Years at Syracuse, Oshae Heads Home
After spending a couple years at Syracuse, Oshae Brissett is returning to Canada after landing an exhibit 10 contract with the Toronto Raptors. An exhibit 10 contract is a one-year deal worth the minimum salary that promises an invite to training camp. The deal can then be converted into a two-way contract, or the player…
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Tyus continues to do Tyus things in Summer League
After a couple of years serving as Syracuse‚Äôs top scoring option, and the guy SU relied on to shoulder the load, Tyus Battle decided to head to the NBA. And just like he did at SU, Battle is continuing to do what he does best. Score the basketball.¬† After not being drafted, Battle signed a…
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Who are Syracuse’s 2020 edge rushers?
SU edge rushing stalwarts Alton Robinson and Kendall Coleman both have just a year of eligibility remaining. And with so many first time offensive tackle starters on the schedule, both players can expect to record monstrous seasons. But after they graduate, who will replace potentially the best edge rush tandem in SU history? We‚Äôll take…
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Linebacker Tre Allison transferring from Syracuse
Redshirt freshman, and former three-star recruit, Tre Allison has decided to transfer from Syracuse due to ‚Äúpersonal reasons‚Äù. At 6-foot-2 and 233-pounds, Allison was expected to compete for playing time. CuseNation was first to report the linebackers intent to transfer.¬† SU has now lost four other non-graduate linebackers this offseason, as it is tasked with…
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Improved Pass Defense Key For Syracuse
Even though one of SU‚Äôs top playmakers from last season in Andre Cisco roams the Orange‚Äôs secondary, the unit as a whole struggled mightily last year. Syracuse finished 114th in the FBS in opponent passing yards allowed, with over 265 yards allowed per game. Some of that is due to other offense‚Äôs attempting to keep…
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Third Times the Charm! SU Lands Trio of Commits this Week
Whether it be on offense, defense, or special teams, SU‚Äôs three commits this week are likely to pack a punch. After landing a punter/kicker and offensive tackle, Syracuse added to its 2020 commits on Friday when 3-star linebacker Stefon Thompson committed. June and July camps often lead to commitments, and the Orange‚Äôs camps are clearly…
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Who’s Backing Up Tommy DeVito?
The most important player in football is the guy taking snaps under center. The second most important? Well it could become the backup quarterback if the starter lands the wrong way. After Chance Amie declared his intent to transfer, there‚Äôs been uncertainty about who will be second in line, in case DeVito goes down. So,…
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Who’s the Best Player for every team on Syracuse’s schedule (Part 2)
Pittsburgh – S Damar Hamlin Tommy DeVito will have his hands full in back to back weeks, dealing with experienced safeties patrolling the secondary. Hamlin is a guy SU fans may remember from last year, when the safety recorded 14 total tackles against the Orange on his way to being named ACC Defensive Back of…
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Who’s the Best Player for every team on Syracuse’s schedule (Part 1)
Now that we‚Äôre almost halfway through June, and Syracuse football hasn‚Äôt made much traction on the recruiting trail, it seems like a good time to look at next season‚Äôs opponents. Specifically the best player on each of those teams. So, this list will go game by game to give Orange fans a preview of who…
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Ranking Syracuse Basketball’s Top 10 Players Since 2000 (Part 2)
Eric Devendorf (2006-2009) – Eric Devendorf served as a sharp-shooter for Syracuse, who could also drive to hoop and draw contact. It only took six games into his freshman season for Jim Boeheim to realize that Devendorf should be in the starting lineup. He became a fan favorite thanks to his great play, but also…
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Ranking Syracuse Basketball’s Top 10 Players Since 2000 (Part 1)
With the offseason upon us, it seems like a good time to appreciate SU‚Äôs best players since the turn of the millenium. These rankings will take into consideration the longevity of a players career in Orange, as well as how successful the team was during the players tenure. Pure talent and dominance will also be…
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Success for SU Basketball Relies on a Center Stepping Up
Syracuse suffered a couple of blows recently when Tyus Battle and Oshae Brissett both decided to stay in the draft and forego remaining eligibility. Luckily, Syracuse was preparing for both to leave early, and had contingency plans in place. Next year the Orange will likely rely on budding stars Elijah Hughes and Buddy Boeheim, as…
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Dino Babers: The Clairvoyant
Dino Babers has a multitude of talents. He‚Äôs one of the best offensive minds in college football, and has parlayed that knowledge into an outstanding start as head coach of Syracuse. He‚Äôs given life to a starved fan base. He‚Äôs a walking quote machine. And apparently, he can see the future. The day Babers was…
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Forget Tommy DeVito, Let’s Talk Running Backs
Moe Neal has been waiting four years for this moment. With Dontae Strickland graduated, Neal‚Äôs the veteran of Syracuse‚Äôs running backs. And maybe he expects to be the bell cow. But with all the rushing talent SU has, it would be a waste to rely on just one or two guys. So let‚Äôs examine what…
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Depth Separates SU Football From Others
Over Dino Babers‚Äô tenure at Syracuse, he‚Äôs flipped the trajectory of the program. Gone are the days of 4-8 seasons. Now, it‚Äôs not crazy for SU fans to imagine consistent 10 win seasons. Babers‚Äô up-tempo offense has played a huge role in the turnaround. So has a much improved offensive line and defense. But another…
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What’s the Next Step for Syracuse’s Marek Dolezaj?
In two seasons in Orange, Marek Dolezaj has quickly become a fan favorite, and for good reason. He has a knack for finding the ball, and is never afraid to scrape elbows on the hardwood. For a big man, he‚Äôs a great passer and a very solid defender in the 2-3 zone. And when a…
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Syracuse Breakout Candidates: Basketball Edition
A couple weeks ago, we wrote about SU football breakout candidates for the 2019 season. Now it‚Äôs time to examine who could burst onto the hardwood for the Orange next season. Excluded from this list are big time contributors from last year‚Äôs team like Elijah Hughes and Buddy Boeheim. They may be in line for…
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The Best is Yet to Come for Syracuse Edge Rushers
Syracuse fans may already be licking their lips, yearning to see Tommy DeVito in the pocket. They might be dreaming about the rockets that will soon be launched to a deep, experienced receiver group. And they should be excited, there‚Äôs a lot to look forward to. But not enough attention is being paid to a…
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What are Reasonable Expectations For Syracuse Quarterback Tommy DeVito?
Last week, on a Fizz Podcast, we sent out a poll asking fans what their expectations were for Tommy DeVito heading into the season. Clearly, fans have lofty goals for DeVito. FIZZ FEEDBACK: How good will Tommy Devito be next season? — Orange Fizz (@OrangeFizz) April 18, 2019 Throwing for 2,750 yards and 26 or…
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Syracuse and the Upcoming NFL Draft
Now that the NFL Draft is just days away, it seems like a good time to look at former Syracuse players hoping to hear their names called in Nashville, Tennessee. Chris Slayton, DT In a CBS Sports mock draft by Ryan Wilson, Slayton is picked in the top of the fifth round by the Browns,…
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Syracuse Adds Running Back to Recruiting Class
During Syracuse‚Äôs spring game yesterday, SU picked up its second commit of the 2020 class. Running back Sean Tucker from Maryland chose the Orange over Wisconsin, Rutgers, Air Force, and Kent State. He‚Äôs a three-star RB according to ESPN, that joins a crowded backfield that includes Moe Neal, Jarveon Howard, and transfer Abdul Adams. But…
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What to Look For in Syracuse’s Spring Game
After a remarkable turnaround 10 win season, Syracuse football kicks off its spring game this Saturday at 1:30. So, in fans first chance to see SU since its bowl game win over West Virginia, let‚Äôs break down what to look for. Tommy DeVito shows out as the starter After two years in the program, Tommy…
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Youth is What Doctor Ordered for Syracuse Basketball
After making the sweet 16 on a classic Syracuse March Madness run in 2018, SU took a step back this past season, failing to move past Baylor in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. While the team played better in the regular season this past year, it failed to live up to expectations heading…
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Why Paschal Chukwu is a Huge Loss For Syracuse
For much of his career, Paschal Chukwu was used as a scapegoat. He was often criticized by Jim Boeheim and blamed by Syracuse fans across central New York. But for all of his flaws, Chukwu was a solid defender, who used his length to alter shots every game. He never fully grasped control of his…
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