Syracuse football players say they won't let SU have a second-half slide this season

In the 2022 season, Syracuse football started out 6-0 and was ranked No. 14 in the country, only to go 1-6 the rest of the way and finish at 7-6 overall.

The following year, in 2023, the Orange raced out to a 4-0 mark, but then it went 2-7 for the remainder of that campaign to finish with a 6-7 record. Granted, in both of those terms, the 'Cuse did make a bowl game, losing each time.

Syracuse football players in the current 2024 season say that they're adamant the team's slides in the second halves of recent years won't occur again this time around.

Entering week nine, the Orange was riding a three-game winning streak as it prepared to face No. 19 Pittsburgh on the road this past Thursday evening. The hope is that the 'Cuse would commence the second half of the 2024 season on a positive note, take care of business at the Panthers, and reside in the major top-25 polls following such an outcome.

Unfortunately, Pitt's defense manhandled Syracuse football, and the Panthers triumphed in a convincing fashion, 41-13. Orange senior quarterback Kyle McCord was intercepted five times, although several of those were tipped balls.

Pittsburgh notched three pick-sixes and scored 31 points off 'Cuse turnovers. So despite the Orange (5-2, 2-2 in the ACC) outgaining the Panthers in total yardage, 327-217, Pitt easily prevailed by four touchdowns.

Syracuse football players are laser-focused on avoiding second-half falterings in recent seasons.

As it became apparent last Thursday night that Pittsburgh would cruise by the 'Cuse, some Orange fans on social media understandably became concerned that, yet again, Syracuse football was headed toward a rough second half of a season.

Some fans even said that the Orange should just go ahead and cancel the rest of the 2024 term, which is absurd, but I do get fans' sentiments here.

In his post-game press conference, McCord credited the Panthers (7-0, 3-0 in the ACC) for having a good game plan and executing it well. But he was quick to point out that the 'Cuse can't do what it has done in other recent seasons, that is, trend in the wrong direction in the second half of the current term.

"We have way too much talent to let that happen," McCord says.

McCord added that when a result like this transpires, you can learn from it and continue to fight your way back into contention within the Atlantic Coast Conference race, or you can just start dropping game after game, "which we shouldn't."

The 2024 season is "far from over," and the Orange has to keep working hard to get back on track, he says.

Senior linebacker Marlowe Wax Jr., who suited up against Pittsburgh after missing several contests of late due to an injury, agreed with McCord's assessment. Wax said after a drubbing like this, you take a picture of the scoreboard, remember it, and then go learn from such an outcome, fix things, and improve.

Regarding the struggles by the 'Cuse in the second halves of other recent seasons, Wax emphatically said, "we ain't gonna drop like we did in the past."

After being on the road for the entire month of October, Syracuse football will return to the JMA Wireless Dome to host Virginia Tech on Saturday, Nov. 2. I have every confidence that head coach Fran Brown, his top-flight staff, and their roster will be ready to roll in week 10 versus the Hokies.