NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
The Syracuse Orange will start off their season with a victory, albeit at times not a pretty one. What looked like a game of despair at first, resembled a game of nerves by the end. Syracuse got off to a rocky start but walked away with a 38-22 win.
Offensively, ‘Cuse shined once they settled in. Fran Brown looks like he made the right call at QB with Kyle McCord at the helm. McCord would finish the game 27/39, 357 yards, 4 TDs, and 1 INT. Every part of the Orange’s offense looked like they were ready to play their part as well. Trebor Pena got it done on the ground as well is through the air. He’d finish with 1 rushing TD and 2 receiving.
Every part of Syracuse’s attack clicked as the game progressed. LeQuint Allen finished with 98 yards on 15 carries and caught a TD himself. Orande Gadsden II contributed 108 yards and a TD on 7 catches. Zeed Haynes had 70 yards on 4 catches, Jackson Meeks 2 for 43. If McCord can continue to spread the wealth in this offseason and keep a fast tempo, this offense could be promising.
Unfortunately, it’s the defense that needs to buckle down. However again, it could be another case of nerves. There were some missed assignments early and plenty of mistakes to point fingers at, but all of these things are coaching points after victory Sunday. It might take Syracuse’s defense a few games to gel and fire on all cylinders. Letting up 22 points in a season opener in a new-look system isn’t unheard of. Despite the sloppy play, the defense also showed flashes of potential as well so it wasn’t all bad on the defensive side.
However, big plays weren’t the only thing contributing to the rough night in Syracuse. In the third quarter, linebacker Marlowe Wax left the game with an apparent right leg injury. After being helped off the field, he’d leave the sideline in crutches by the time the game was over. Hopefully, it’s a speedy recovery for the young man.
Syracuse will have plenty to clean up in preparation for Georgia Tech next Saturday at 12 PM EST. The good news is, the mistakes are cleanups and not teardowns. Communication on defense and understanding assignments prevent many of these mistakes. Between that and discipline that prevents costly mistakes, this game would’ve been a blowout. The Fran Brown Era kicks off with a win at home and hope for the future. Syracuse often starts off the season hot so the real question will be how they keep this momentum going deep in the season? Based on some of the explosiveness Saturday afternoon, the Syracuse Orange could have a very high ceiling, but discipline, discipline, discipline. Good win at home, Orange.
