Syracuse Football: QB Tommy DeVito needs to step up game, and he can

It’s no secret that Syracuse football starting quarterback Tommy DeVito needs to play better at Pitt, but let’s not write him off yet.

In the Syracuse football season-opening loss at North Carolina this past Saturday afternoon in Chapel Hill, Orange redshirt junior quarterback Tommy DeVito struggled, to put it mildly.

Then-No. 18 UNC pulled away from the ‘Cuse in the fourth quarter to ultimately rout Syracuse football, 31-6. DeVito really had a rough outing, going 13-of-31 for 112 passing yards, along with an abysmal total quarterback rating of 23.8, according to ESPN.com.

After that performance, a ton of Orange fans absolutely ripped DeVito on social media, saying that he’s awful and should get removed as the team’s starting quarterback.

Hold on, folks. While I of course respect the opinions of my fellow ‘Cuse fanatics, even when we vehemently disagree with one another, calling for DeVito to get benched after only one week is a tad over the top.

Yes, DeVito has to do better at No. 25 Pittsburgh this Saturday and in future contests, and I think that he can – and will. Syracuse football went a disappointing 5-7 in 2019, but it’s not like DeVito had a terrible year.

Per his bio on cuse.com, DeVito completed 63 percent of his attempts in 2019 for 2,360 yards, as well as 19 passing touchdowns versus just 5 interceptions. That’s pretty solid, if you ask me.

Syracuse football redshirt junior quarterback Tommy DeVito has to up his game, and he has the ability to do so.

Now, against the Tar Heels, DeVito clearly had difficulty with his accuracy, although in all fairness his wide receivers dropped some catchable passes, too.

What concerned me the most is that, at least in watching him on television, DeVito seemed hesitant with his decision-making. Sure, the offensive line is stung a bit by injuries, and North Carolina pressured DeVito a ton.

But he simply didn’t appear to feel comfortable in the pocket, and things don’t get any easier when the Orange travels to No. 25 Pittsburgh this Saturday to face a Panthers crew that boasts a stingy defense.

DeVito has to possess more confidence in his abilities. His skills and talents are there. And it’s certainly understandable if DeVito and the rest of the offense need more time to gel.

That’s especially true because the ‘Cuse has a new offensive coordinator in Sterlin Gilbert. The team also didn’t have spring practices due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, and it dealt with an abbreviated off-season prior to the fall term getting underway.

According to Stephen Bailey of Syracuse.com, DeVito in a virtual press conference described the Pitt defense as “solid.” DeVito added, “It’s going to be a challenge, but I’m game for it.”