Wes has worked for Rivals.com covering the New York Knicks, as well as for Scout.com covering Syracuse athletics. Wes has also been a contributing writer for the South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), for SportsNet New York (SNY) as a news desk writer covering all of New York professional sports, and reported on the NBA and MLB for the New York Sportscene. A native of Long Island, New York, Wes graduated from Syracuse University in 2005 with a degree in journalism. Contact him at wes[at]sujuiceonline.com.
You have to feel a lot better about the Syracuse defense after this game. In Week 1, the Orange allowed FCS Villanova to accumulate 389 total yards (including 190 yards on the ground), mostly due to fleet footed QB John Robertson.
Villanova coach Jay Wright and Rutgers coach Eddie Jordan watched 6-foot-5 2016 guard Tyus Battle work out Thursday at Gill St. Bernard’s and made a similar pitch.
While Purdue was stumbling, Central Michigan received stellar play from QB Cooper Rush (11-for-16 passing for 172 yards and two TDs) and back Thomas Rawls (155 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries).
The college basketball live recruiting period begins on Tuesday at midnight, and schools aren’t wasting any time to come see Gill St. Bernard’s guard Tyus Battle.
Jim Boeheim did an exceptional job with this team. Syracuse lost nine games that season, with half of them coming during the early part of Big East play. The key adjustment of putting Cipolla into the lineup kick started the team to a remarkable run into the postseason.
Late in the first half, linebacker Dillon Lucas came crashing in after Terrel Hunt had been tackled, delivering a late hit to the SU quarterback. In retaliation, Hunt punched Lucas while still on the ground, and was ejected from the game.
Lake Forest (Ill.) Academy senior defensive tackle Wesley Annan won’t take any official visits until after the season but he’s starting to get an idea of the schools he wants to go see.
Well this is certainly not how the Orange wanted to start the season. Underdog Villanova outplayed the Orange, and was only a field goal away from ending SU’s 12-game win streak against FCS opponents.