Syracuse Football Report Card over Central Michigan

Steve Ishmael WR Sr.

The senior mainstay at wide receiver once again had a big week for the Orange. Ishmael has clearly taken over for Amba Etta-Tawo as the number one receiver in the Syracuse high-flying offense. Ishmael has yet to find the end zone on the season, but his numbers are still very impressive. On the season, Ishmael has 34 receptions for 389 yards, good for an average of about 130 yards receiving a game.

The Miami native hauled in eight receptions for 139 yards and was once again targeted a ton by Eric Dungey. Ishmael had a couple of big receptions over the middle of the field including a long of 51 yards, an aspect of Syracuse’s passing attack that needs to be used much more. I think Ishmael is a perfect fit to run routes over the middle, at 6-foot 2 and weighing just under 210-pounds he is a big target that will prove to be valuable if Syracuse continues to target him in those situations.

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All day Steve was hunting the end zone and it looked as though he may finally find it in the third quarter, when Dungey hit him on a post route. Ishmael broke two tackles and was on his way to the goal line, but was tracked down from behind and had the ball punched out by a Central Michigan corner. Thankfully for Syracuse, the turnover didn’t result in Chippewa points, but it could have been a big swing in momentum.

Syracuse will need Ishmael to win is matchups this upcoming weekend against LSU if they want to even be able to move the ball.