Syracuse Football: Top 5 Plays of Week 2 Versus MTSU (video highlights)

3. Jonathan Thomas Interception in MTSU Territory

This play was huge for the Orange early in the contest. Syracuse had already forced a fumble early, and this interception by Jonathan Thomas in MTSU territory showed the Syracuse-D was here to stay, at least for the first half.

Middle Tennessee quarterback Brent Stockstill was back alone in the shotgun formation. He hiked the ball and immediate looked for a receiver attempting a slant route on the outside. However, the Orange blitzed and got to the quarterback right as he released it making it easier for the Orange to Thomas to jump in front of the pass from out of coverage.

Thomas had gone back in coverage to defend, but when he saw the quarterback turn his head left out of the snap, he moved to reach the pass before it got to the receiver. He did so, and took the interception 15 yards, to the Middle Tennessee 4-yard line, giving the Orange a look at 1st and Goal.

Short fields to work with…

Thomas made a nice read on the play which is what led to the interception. The fact that the Orange got to the quarterback out of the blitz is also noteworthy, as the Orange hope to continue to do that throughout the season.

Like the Chris Slayton play, which you’ll read about next, the Orange unfortunately weren’t able to punch the ball in for a touchdown or pick-six, as he only had one man to beat; the receiver who missed the catch and tackled him fro behind. However, it was a good play and set the Orange up for a score.

Unfortunately, the interception only led to a field goal and loss of three yards on three plays, but hey, that’s the kind of game it was for the Orange. You take what you can get and this defensive play by Thomas was definitely one of the highlights of the night.