Here are 10 things we learned from Syracuse’s 23-15 loss on Saturday to Rutgers:
1. Syracuse continues to be offensively inefficient. The Orange outgained the Scarlet Knights 418-237, but managed just 15 points. Syracuse has now outgained its opponents in total yardage in all four losses this season.
2. Doug Marrone can no longer coach special teams. With the game tied in the third quarter, Rutgers LB Jamal Merrell blocked a Ross Krautman field goal that was picked up by Duron Harmon and returned 75 yards for a touchdown. Special teams has been a house of horrors this season and it isn’t even Halloween yet. Speaking of… enough of Steve Rene… ENOUGH!
3. The Orange just find ways to beat themselves. Trying to match their five-turnover performance against Rutgers from a year ago, the Orange coughed it up four times (all in the second half) in Saturday’s game.
» Related: Syracuse made too many mistakes in loss
4. Officials need to learn how to use instant replay correctly, otherwise don’t use it at all. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Kevin Snyder was credited with recovering a Steve Rene fumble that wasn’t. It was clear to the announcers and everyone watching at home that Rene was down before Khaseem Greene ripped the ball out of his hands. The Scarlet Knights would score off the “turnover” effectively putting the game away at 23-7.
5. Ryan Nassib continues to regress at the quarterback position. Despite throwing for 356 yards, Nassib had two interceptions (including one coming on the first play of the Orange’s final drive of the game) and also fumbled one away. He has disappeared in Big East play, and the team has scored just four offensive touchdowns in their last three games.
6. The Orange defense must be wondering why they are the only unit to show up each and every week. They’ve given up just 14.5 points per game thus far in Big East play and had to compensate for offensive and special teams blunders all season long.
» Related: Syracuse drops fourth of the season
7. Rutgers wasn’t overly-impressive offensively, but took advantage of field possession and Syracuse turnovers. QB Gary Nova threw for 152 yards and one touchdown. Six of those catches went to WR Brandon Coleman who had 104 yards. RB Jawan Jamison was held to 64 yards on 28 carries, but scored on a one-yard run on the Scarlet Knights’ second drive of the game.
8. Rutgers stay undefeated and improved to 6-0 (3-0) and now get ready for a showdown with Temple 3-2 (2-0) next week for first place in the Big East.
9. Ashton Broyld… where art thou?
10. Doug Marrone is now 7-16 in Big East play. Eat your heart out Greg Robinson (3-25)!
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