Syracuse Football: Top 5 Plays of Week 4 Versus LSU (video highlights)

3. Syracuse Forces Safety

Their aren’t many safeties in football as teams usually get out of the end zone via pass or run before they’re ever knocked down in the end zone for two points. However, from time to time you’ll see one when the defensive line plays well. Syracuse defensive line was great for most of the game against LSU which is why this play occurred.

Sterling Hofrichter had just punted the ball down to the LSU one yard line. He had been been making big plays like that all game long, but this one was huge as it led to points for the Orange.

LSU had to run the ball to get out of its own end zone. However, Syracuse used a goal line set to break up the play before the runner ever got through the line.

On the play, the running back and quarterback for LSU lined up in the I-formation. The running back was handed the ball by the quarterback after the snap five yards deep in his end zone. He would go about three more yards before being met by SU defensive lineman who had overpowered the line. That was still two yards short of making it out of the end zone.

The back would maybe push for another yard or so against that pressure, but would not make it out of the end zone. That made the play a safety and gave the Orange a huge two points. The Orange do not make big plays on defense very often let alone safeties which is why this play was so amazing. It showed that Syracuse’s defensive line is among the nation’s best and can play with some of the big boys of college football.

The safety, which also resulted in two points gave the Orange the ball back midway through the third quarter and led to a running touchdown by Eric Dungey. That score would bring the Orange within nine, at 28-19. So the safety was not just a safety, it ultimately led to 9 total pints for the Orange and a chance at a rally.