Syracuse Football: Midseason report card for the Orange

If you can believe it we’re already halfway over with Syracuse football season. Now it’s time to look back and grade what has happened.

So here we are midway through the 2017 Syracuse football campaign. It’s time to step back and reflect back our predictions and what might have been.

Back in July I read the tea leaves and put the Orange at an optimistic 5-1 at the halfway point. Most of you who read that snickered to yourself that I was off my rocker. In retrospect that fact is we should be undefeated at this point in our campaign, losing heart breakers to Middle Tennessee, LSU and NC State.

Think about what might have been 6-0 and headed into a contest against the defending National Champions…WOW. Now snap back to reality we are 3-3 and in a dog fight to make it to Dino Babers’ first bowl game as the head coach of OITNF.

The offense who put the O in the Orange is the New Fast. This group has lived up to the billing putting up impressive numbers through the first six games. Firing on all cylinders we and leaving opposing defenses gasping for air and flopping to the ground faking injuries to allow them to catch their breath.

This was demonstrated more times than I can count against Pittsburgh on Saturday with the

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Orange faithful seeing through the scam and providing a rousing round of boos for the ‘faking’ offenders.

Our Heisman hopeful #Dungey4Heisman, Eric Dungey ranks 8th in the nation in passing yards.

He truly is the heart and soul of the team. Looking like a young Brett Favre, scrambling, jump passes and taking a few more hits than he should. I don’t know where we would be without him.

Steve Ishmael leading the nation in receiving yards and receptions per game. Yes you read that correctly LEADING THE NATION!

Ervin Philips putting up impressive numbers ranking in the top 30 in the nation in receiving yards. Our receivers are among the toughest I have ever seen. The Cuse essentially abandon the run game and let everyone know we are throwing the ball, inviting teams to come and stop us. These guys don’t hesitate to go over the middle and put themselves on the line.

So there are a lot of kudos to go around, but I do want to take this moment however to comment on what I saw at last weeks game. Eric Dungey staying in the pocket, scrambling and taking hits; what I didn’t see is our offensive lineman running down field and helping him up from under a pile of bodies. Gentlemen I expect better, defend our QB, help him up, dust him off and protect him.

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To the defense I would like to give you an Otto for your physicality, toughness and conditioning.

You have been the key as we frequently trot you back out there after a world record shortest drive three and out. Hanging tough late in the game. One improvement item for the second half … WRAP UP!

I know I know everyone wants to be the Sports Center highlight for jacking someone up, this however results in misses and ball carriers bouncing off. I promise you this won’t happen if you … WRAP UP!

Well this isn’t where we wanted to be, but it is what it is. We sit 3-3 at the halfway point with the toughest part of our schedule coming up. It is time to buckle your chin strap, guard your loins and claw our way back to bowl contention. Be Loud, Be Proud, Be ORANGE!