Syracuse defeated/was defeated by Florida State 38-3 on Saturday evening. Here are some quick hits from the game:
- Garrett Shrader did not look completely healthy, particularly on the rare occasions where he ran with the ball. His arm showed some rust, as well, connecting on only 6-of-16 passes in the game. As a result, the Orange got only one first down via the pass.
- The first half was a complete system failure for the Orange. Florida State held a 15-3 advantage in first downs, averaged over six yards per rush and completed 17-of-18 passes. At the same time, the SU offense had one drive that gained double digit yards.
- The Syracuse defense once again showed its reliance on getting their opponent into bad down-and-distance scenarios. Whether by tackle for loss or penalty, FSU mustered only a field goal before the half on their four first half drives where they suffered a loss of yardage. All three of their first half touchdown drives suffered no losses of yardage.
- Derek McDonald, Mikel Jones, and Marlowe Wax each recorded a sack in the game, and McDonald forced a fumble on his sack. Justin Barron recovered that fumble.
- It’s hard to imagine how SU can stop this freefall. The defense got even more banged up in the game (Ja’Had Carter left the game with an injury where he could not put any weight on his leg) and the offense has lost whatever mojo it had earlier this season. While a large part of how they got to 6-4 is how the schedule was structured, this loss to Florida State is the lowest point of the season.
WHAT’S NEXT
Syracuse (6-4, 3-3 ACC) will hit the road for their final two games, the first coming at Wake Forest on Saturday night. The Demon Deacons (6-4, 2-4), who have won their last two matchups with the Orange, lost to #15 North Carolina on Saturday night, 36-34, their third straight loss after climbing to #10 in the nation.
Sam Hartman leads the way for Wake, having thrown for 28 touchdowns and 2,743 yards on the season. Five different receivers have picked up at least 393 yards through the air for the Deacons, led by A.T. Perry, who has 774 receiving yards and seven scores.
Kickoff is set for 8:00pm Eastern with the ACC Network handling television duties.
» Related: A tribute to former Syracuse athletics director Jake Crouthamel
POSTGAME
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