Syracuse Football: Top 3 Orange Peels from season opener highlights

1. Moe Neal RB/WR

Wow just wow. This kid can make plays, regardless of the competition. Last season on his first offensive touch he brought it to the house for a touchdown. Not a bad encore in 2017 with the same result but this time through the air as a receiver.

Throughout the offseason the Syracuse coaching staff flirted with converting Neal to a slot WR and then again in the backfield. But here’s the thing, it doens’t matter where you line him up because he’s going to make plays for you. He proved that in the season opener.

Neal is listed at 5’11 and 180 pounds, but he looks smaller than that. The sophomore from Gastonia, North Carolina is exactly what this Orange offense needs. Someone who can align anywhere in the offensive formation and opposing defenses have to know where he is.

Next: Syracuse Football: Positional grades heading into 2017 season

Although Neal made his damage through the air, while on the ground the Orange left much to be desired. In this case the final stats don’t really tell the tale. The Orange may have gained over 100 yards on the ground, it wasn’t efficient or consistent. If the Cuse had trouble running the football against this level of opponent, they could have a ton of issues when the competition increases.