Syracuse Football Report Card: Who shined for the Orange against Pitt?

Finally, the Syracuse running back had a really solid game. Syracuse’s run struggles under Dino Babers have certainly been well documented, with some theories pointing to the offensive line, while others say it’s the personnel at the position.

Regardless, Strickland may have had his best game of the season, recording 80 yards on 25 carries. The starting running back also chipped in with two catches through the air for 32 yards including one for 26 yards. A few other times in the game Strickland was open downfield and Dungey simply couldn’t hit him. One particular case in the third quarter, Strickland found a seam in the middle of the Pitt defense only to receive a pass at the feet, had it have been up high, the play would have gone for big yards.

Strickland is the guy who makes the calls to the rest of the offense, not QB Eric Dungey. In the past, Dino Babers said that his knowledge of defense’s is sometimes why Syracuse keeps him on the field, but his time at running back this season certainly has not been great.

In this game in particular, Strickland looked decent on the ground gaining 3-5 yards much more than normal, but only recording a long of eight yards. We will see how effective the Syracuse run game is this Friday when Clemson’s elite front seven comes to the Dome to challenge the Orange.

Strickland needs to become more of a threat out there. What he did against Pittsburgh was fine, but he needs to focus on just hitting the best hole and running through it as hard as possible. Sometime it appears as though he is pressing and trying to make too much happen.

The New Jersey native needs to get much more involved in catching the ball out of the backfield as well. He makes plays in space and seems more comfortable running in the open field after catching the ball, rather than just running a typical run play.