Syracuse Football: Three keys for the Orange to take down Rutgers

Syracuse Football Key Number Two: Defend the Run

It’s hard to totally judge the Rutgers offense given how few of their possessions actually started deep in their own territory. However, the Scarlet Knights still had above-average numbers with the rush. A multi-back rushing attack contributed 220 total rushing yards on a massive 51 carries and six touchdowns.

Quarterback Noah Vedral was perhaps the most lethal, using his legs eight times for 58 total yards. After him, it was lead back Isaih Pacheco, who finished with 15 carries for 48 yards.

Syracuse football gave up similar numbers to Ohio. The Bobcats finished the game with 4.2 yards per carry, compared to Rutgers’ 4.3 ypc. However, Ohio’s rushing was mostly from running back De’Montre Tuggle.

Vedral’s ability to escape the pocket and pick up yards will test Syracuse’s ability to handle a duel-threat quarterback. Last season, the Orange struggled against quarterbacks with that trait. Just two quarterbacks rushed for at least 50 yards in a game against SU in 2020.

Players who will need to step up against Vedral are Josh Black, Kingsley Jonathan, and Mikel Jones. They’ll have to use their experience to figure out designed runs and read the quarterback’s eyes from the defensive end and linebacker positions.

If Vedral is forced to make throws, it would be into a Syracuse football secondary that has a player who made national headlines in week one.