Syracuse Football: Week 2 review, week 3 preview & (some) positive news

Our football guru with a look back, and a look ahead, for Syracuse football during the 2021 campaign.

The episode where I, Orange Chuck, brings you a mostly positive outlook on Syracuse football and the state of everything after a frustrating loss.

My Week 2 Syracuse Football Review:

• The Loud House was back! Dang, it felt good to hear the fans loud and proud. I’m an introverted person who often hates being in crowds but when it’s loud in there, I love the Dome field advantage.
• The Tucker 44 Tracker is now a thing. In my opinion, Sean Tucker was underutilized but when he did play, he was effective, including Syracuse’s lone touchdown. Tucker had only 13 rushes for 56 yards after a game where he had 25 carries for 181. I honestly thought his carries would go up from last week and not down but he definitely had me jumping out of my seat for his touchdown run. I also love the fact that he not only deserves the honor of wearing 44 but in interviews has shown the number and the possibility of wearing it the respect it deserves (he’s a Floyd Little fan as well).
• The defense was stellar. I don’t remember any turnovers but they were very physical and had several great tackles for losses. Mikel Jones (leading the team with 11 tackles) is definitely a stud and has to be considered one of the best linebackers in the ACC at least as well as a tremendous leader but I saw many players making plays at various times as well that were impactful including Josh Black.
• A generally unpopular decision but I was okay with that 4th quarter punt late in the game. The defense was as I just stated one of the bright spots in this game and I agree with Coach Dino Babers that going for it on 4th and long isn’t ideal. If they had some momentum and it was 4th and short, I would share in the outrage but what did the offense show leading up to that point in that drive to indicate they could get 10 yards and the first down? I do not see it as a sign of giving up if you want your best asset to be on the field in the hopes they can either stop them quickly or maybe get a turnover.
• Admittedly this was ugly and frustrating for most of the game but it was only one game. There will be a lot of people upset and a lot of stories about the program in duress but I for one am not willing to make too much of one game. A few days ago, I wrote about what I read into a 1-0 record sharing I thought it was only one game and too early to judge. I then went on to say how if Syracuse football lost, people would be ready to jump off the ledge and sure enough it’s happening now. Listen, if that’s your reaction, I’m not going to tell you that you’re wrong but personally, I am willing to wait a couple more games this season before judging too much. If they look the same in the next few games, then I’ll concede my point but I’m still team #WhyNotCuse for now and looking at it as only one loss this season.
• I really thought they’d utilize Luke Benson and the tight ends more as a receiving alternative but two games into the season and we still haven’t seen it sadly. I know Taj Harris kept his streak of games played with a reception alive and finished with 8 receptions for 122 yards including a big catch that set up the Tucker TD run but as we saw today, more receiving options are helpful when passes are being dropped that frequently and with the team seemingly going with short passes, tight ends could be utilized as well I would think.
• After the Ohio game, many pointed to the lack of sacks and pressure upfront. While they did struggle to stop them on third and 1 or fourth and 1 more than once, they did spend a lot of time in Rutgers backfield holding them to -9 yards rushing and getting some sacks along the way.

My Week 3 Syracuse Football Preview:

• • Just a hunch right now but I feel like the Albany game will likely feature a lot of Garrett Shrader at quarterback. I think it’s unfair to lay all the blame on Tommy DeVito for the Rutgers loss since receivers did seem to drop some passes in the game but you have to wonder what Shrader is capable of doing for more than 2-3 sets of downs.
  • As mentioned, Albany is the week 3 opponent coming in the Dome with an 0-2 record after losing to Rhode Island and North Dakota State (ranked 4th in the subdivision level).

Albany’s running back Karl Mofor was a preseason all-American who could give the defense some issues.

• In the Rhode Island game, Albany’s placeholder mishandled not one but two snaps that could have been two field goals that if even one converted, could have led to a win.
• This game will be a nooner on Saturday in the Dome and be televised on the ACC Network as of posting time. You can also listen to it on TK99 locally or download the Varsity Network app.
• Seniors in the 2020 class can get discounted tickets and enjoy a commencement ceremony as well this weekend. It’ll also be Band Day in the Dome as well.
• I think Syracuse football has to come out strong and win big to restore some confidence in the fan base other than me. I have stated publicly on social media though that if they struggle here and the Liberty game is similar to the Rutgers outcome, I may start leaning towards those showing concern in the future of this program but for now, I’ll give the benefit of the doubt that it might be just a one-game struggle.

Some Positive News:

• Well, at least that officiating crew hopefully is gone and never comes back. Listen, I’ll occasionally disagree with a call here or there and get frustrated but this game might be one of the worst I’ve seen that made calls that did impact the game especially calling the Taj Harris fumble in the red zone without reversing it, the special teams call on our punting team where I didn’t see anyone touching the returner and the foul on Coach Babers who, while I didn’t see all of his interactions with the officials, seemed a lot calmer than what I saw out of Rutgers Head Coach Schiano, which led to 15 yards and Rutgers’ first score. Syracuse football didn’t do itself any favors at times with dropped passes and in my opinion, not utilizing the running game more, and I’m not solely blaming them but this officiating crew was horrible and impacted the outcome and oddly enough it seemed that once or twice when Syracuse football may have benefited from a call, there were instead offsetting penalties. I guess Garrett Shrader’s head just magically turns sideways as well randomly and that was in no way a face mask on the play that he later fumbled, recovered and threw it out of bounds.
• Hopefully, Garrett Williams feels better soon and The Rhino Chris Elmore is back on the field soon as well.
• What did everyone think about the Dome renovations and concessions setup?
• If you think you were disappointed in the outcome, did anyone see Coach Babers during the post-game press conference? If not, find the YouTube video and you’ll see a guy who looked like he was visibly upset. Don’t forget that for as much as us fans hate to lose, players and coaches have even more on the line and I know nobody was happy or satisfied with that outcome against Rutgers.
• I’m going to guess social media and sports talk in the area will be interesting this week but I’ll still bring my positive spin to the Exit 31 on ESPN Syracuse and ESPN Utica/Rome on Monday at around 2 pm until I can’t bring it no more.
• Why would an octopus be a good defensive football player? Because they always have tentacles (ten tackles) 🙂