A quick take on Syracuse’s 54-0 blowout win against Wagner in the first home game of the Scott Shafer era:
WHAT HAPPENED: Syracuse got off to a sluggish start again on offense, gaining just five yards in 10 plays on its first three drives. Drew Allen struggled again, completing 3 of 6 passes for -1 yards. He was replaced by Terrel Hunt midway through the first quarter and the SU offense immediately responded. Hunt led five consecutive touchdown drives to finish the first half, and the Orange jumped out in front 37-0 en route to a rare lopsided win. Hunt finished with some gaudy numbers, completing 15 of 18 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns. Jerome Smith chipped in 61 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns as Syracuse gained 591 yards on the afternoon, which had big implications for those of you betting on College football at Topbet.eu.
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ANALYSIS: So much for a quarterback controversy. Hunt was unequivocally the better quarterback on Saturday, effortlessly leading the Orange to it’s highest offensive output of the season. While it’s hard to get too excited about Hunt given that it came against an FCS opponent, Allen played that same defense, and looked lost early, getting booed off the field after his third and final drive of the first half. By the time Allen got back on the field, Hunt led Syracuse to a 47-0 lead, and more importantly, Allen lost the starting QB job going forward.
HERO: Besides Hunt, the Syracuse defense was dominant, not allowing the Seahawks first down until the Seahawks’ final possession of the half (that ultimately ended in an interception). Wagner totaled just 87 yards 5 first downs and was just 2 for 17 on third downs.
ZERO: Wagner starting QB Matt Misley, who doubles as the team’s punter, was just 4 for 11 yards and an interception. He finished with more punts (11) than completions. Allen ultimately finished completing his final five passes of the game for 62 yards and a touchdown, but it was too little, too late.
WHAT’S NEXT: Syracuse will play the final game of its non-conference schedule when it hosts Tulane on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 12:30 p.m. TV: ESPN3.
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