With Garrett Shrader getting the starting nod yet again at quarterback for Syracuse football, the Orange offense so far against Wake Forest is looking pretty darn solid.
To his credit, Shrader, an extremely mobile and athletic QB, has made some quality throws, including a touchdown pass, as the ‘Cuse took a 21-17 lead over No. 19 and undefeated Wake Forest at the intermission on the Hill this Saturday afternoon.
The Orange (3-2) has been methodical with its running game so far in this Atlantic Coast Conference contest, buoyed by running back Sean Tucker doing his usual thing, and Shrader also gaining a ton of yards on the ground.
Let’s give a lot of credit to the Syracuse football offensive line, which is more than holding its own through the first half of play against the Demon Deacons (5-0), a group that came into this game as the top ACC team in the league’s Atlantic division.
Per ESPN stats, in the first half, Shrader had 97 passing yards and a whopping 111 rushing yards (averaging more than 9 yards per rush), while Tucker gained 55 yards on the ground. Shrader had a passing and a rushing touchdown, and Tucker also punched one into the end zone rushing the ball.
Syracuse football has a nice thing going with its running game.
In addition to having a solid first half scoring points on offense against a quality foe, the ‘Cuse also hammering out a bunch of yards on the ground has enabled the team to sustain long drives, which in turn keeps the prolific Wake Forest offense off of the field.
As we noted earlier this week in previewing the Demon Deacons at Syracuse football, Wake Forest entered this ACC clash at No. 2 in the conference in scoring, at nearly 39 points per affair. That average also is in the top-15 nationally.
The Orange defense allowed a touchdown near the end of the half to bring the Demon Deacons closer, but it was still a commendable first half for the ‘Cuse. With the Orange’s running attack leading the charge.
Syracuse football hasn’t beaten a ranked opponent in a while. Knocking off Wake Forest, with Clemson looming ahead, would prove huge for this squad’s confidence.