In the Huddle: South Florida

huddle in the • sept. 16-17, 2016

syr acuse vs. usf

loosening up Dontae Strickland’s parents never wanted him to play football, but they gave in when others saw his talent. page 3

mack man Marlon Mack’s inner circle of family members and friends have helped a shy, quiet kid transform into a record-setting running back. page 5

end of the line Syracuse needs Kendall Coleman to develop as an above average defensive end this season as a freshman. page 17

2 sept. 16-17, 2016

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t h e i n de p e n de n t s t u de n t n e w s pa p e r of s y r a c u s e , n e w yor k

Justin Mattingly

Alexa Diaz

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Break it down

Check out the run down on South Florida before Syracuse faces USF on Saturday in the Carrier Dome.

See page 9

Syracuse’s Tampa 2 defense has been shredded this season. Check out how it’s been wounded.

See page 23

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sept. 16-17, 2016 3

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INSIDE THE LINES

DONTAE STRICKLAND excelled at football right away, shattering middle school and high school records before earning a scholarship to Syracuse. But the sophomore running back’s mother, Carol, didn’t allow her children to play football until one coach and pressure from Strickland changed her mind. chase guttman staff photographer

Dontae Strickland was never supposed to play football. But once he did, he became a star football field.”

But seven years — and four children — later, Dontae came along.

He was a quick, elusive 7-year-old craving to play a physical sport. he ambulance was gone, but Gregory The recruitment by one coach and pressure Strickland was in desperate need from Dontae and his father convinced Carol to of medical care. A hit at his high break her pledge. school football game broke his leg Dontae excelled at football right away, and turned his foot completely around. shattering middle school and high school It affected Carol The emergency medical services team that records, and eventually earning a full had been on hand for the game left early, leaving significantly ... She had scholarship to Syracuse, where he’s the starting the Strickland family in horror on the sideline running back this year. had a really traumatic watching Gregory writhe in pain.

It’s a source of pride for the Stricklands, but it’s Tia Strickland remembers her mom on the experience with her older also a source of worry. That something like what phone screaming and crying. They didn’t know son and that kind of soured happened to Gregory will happen again. That how bad it was at the time, but her brother her on the football field. Dontae, at 20 years old, will have his lifeblood would never play sports again. taken away. That he’ll never be the same.

Jake Rodriguez It was then and there — on Aug. 31, 1997 “Sports is (Gregory’s) passion just like it is gregory strickland’s former coach — that Carol Strickland vowed none of her Dontae’s passions,” said Tia, Dontae’s sister. children would ever play football again. “(Carol) didn’t want to relive that again because injuries happen.

“It affected Carol significantly,” said Jake Rodriguez, a family We all know that. But sometimes they’re career ending and there’s friend and Gregory’s former coach. “… She had had a really traumatic nothing you can do. experience with her older son and that kind of soured her on the see strickland page 4

By Jon Mettus

asst. sports editor

T

4 sept. 16-17, 2016

from page 3

strickland “For Dontae, that’s all he’s ever talked about was going to college playing football.

Going all the way, if he can. God willing, to the NFL. So if something happens — injury and it ends his season or it ends his career — I don’t even know how he would cope.”

What drew Dontae to football is exactly what pushed the rest of his family away: the contact. He’s the most physical of all his brothers, despite being the second youngest out of the five of them. They all played sports, but none of them liked, or even tried, football, save for Dontae and Gregory.

Dontae’s football career stemmed from his performance in baseball. He was the batboy for his older brother Danny’s team. After practice each day, the team would have relay races and Dontae would always win, beating kids two to three years older than him.

Mike Muha, a local Pop Warner football league coach, saw this and decided Dontae needed to be on his team.

“Son, you ever played football before?”

Dontae’s father Bill remembers Muha asking. “Dontae said, ‘No. I want to, but my mother won’t let me.’”

Both Dontae and Bill wanted him to play football. Carol was essentially outvoted. Bill went to a football parents’ meeting the next day, but Muha wasn’t interested in talking to him. “Where’s Dontae?” Muha asked, peering into the backseat of Bill’s car.

“The story can tell itself now,” Dontae said.

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Dontae started playing Pop Warner football at age 7. He could run fast, but had to learn how to tackle. His family worried if he would know what to do on the football field.

If he could take the hits.

Bill taught him to inflict punishment like Walter Payton. It wasn’t long before other kids were complaining to Bill that Dontae hit hard. Not when he tackled them, but when he ran them over as a running back.

“I was like ‘Oh, it’s working then,’” Bill said.

He already knew how to catch passes.

Bill taught all the kids from a young age by making them run through the kitchen to the living room of their circular-shaped house.

They’d knock down pictures and Carol’s snow globes, but if a ball hit one of the kid’s chests, the punishment was five pushups.

In middle school (seventh and eighth grades), Dontae scored 52 touchdowns in 17 games. A record Rodriguez — who was Dontae’s head coach at Crossroads (New Jersey) Middle School and assistant coach at South Brunswick High School — is sure will never be broken.

Around high school, Dontae started dropping his other sports. Baseball was boring, despite his power to right-center field as a righty batter. He chose not to try out one year. Feeling disrespected by his high school basketball coach, Dontae left his jersey in his locker after a game — never to play again. The seasons had started overlapping, anyway.

Football was Dontae’s sport. Danger and all. He slept with one until the day he

left for college.

“He loves football,” said Joe George, the head football coach at South Brunswick. “He can’t live without football.”

Dontae eased his way through the different levels of football. Once one stage became too easy, he moved up. But his family was cautious

52

The number of touchdowns Dontae Strickland scored in middle school in 17 games. It was, and still remains, a record that will likely never be broken, according to his middle school coach.

each time, not wanting to push him too far.

Gregory was a freshman playing on varsity when he broke his leg. The Strickland family endured countless games that seemed too easy for Dontae to ensure that didn’t happen again.

“They didn’t want him to be rushed to play. They knew he had the ability to play with older kids,” Tia said. “But we don’t want him rushed into anything because we don’t know how he’ll react to it.”

Dontae started ninth grade with with the freshman team, then moved to junior varsity and varsity by the end. His sophomore year, he started on varsity and won a state championship, scoring two touchdowns in the title game.

Rodriguez would see Dontae’s mother at games and say, “Hey, Carol. This kid’s going to college for free. Leave him alone.”

“Thank God they let him play because we may not have ever seen a tremendous athlete, football player if they hadn’t let him play,” Rodriguez said.

Dontae’s parents never tried to make him quit. It wouldn’t have worked, even if they did.

Bill talked to Dontae about concussions once. “I don’t get them. I give them,” Dontae responded.

“That was the end of that conversation.

You know?” Bill said.

Before every game, Dontae’s family prays that he gets up and is OK after every play.

Afterward, whether on FaceTime or in person, the most important question is “What hurts?” They care less about who won.

Carol never wanted her son to play football in the first place. She didn’t like the contact.

In retrospect, Bill wishes Dontae hadn’t chosen football. It’s the most barbaric sport.

But they, and the rest of the family, have to live with the decision Dontae made.

All the surreal moments it provides, like watching him play in the Carrier Dome, which brings Carol to tears. And at least 12 weeks of worry a year, not knowing if he’ll be able to walk off the field the next time he plays.

“You never know. Any play, anything could happen. Any moment,” Tia said. “As long as he plays football, we’ll be nervous.

“Every play.” jrmettus@syr.edu | @jmettus

DONTAE STRICKLAND, whose mother almost kept him from playing football for fear he’d get hurt, has emerged as a potent force in the Syracuse offense. After playing in each of the Orange’s 12 games last year, the sophomore running back has 51 yards on 17 carries through two games this season. michael santiagno contributing photographer

sept. 16-17, 2016 5

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BIG MACK USF running back Marlon Mack looks to mirror dominant 2015 outing against Orange

By Tomer Langer asst. copy editor

J

ohnnie Jones studied the field during pregame warmups. The former Booker (Florida) High School coach was trying to figure out what his players were doing and how they were preparing for kickoff.

He always noticed the same thing from his two-way playmaker. Marlon Mack would scan the stands, looking for a family member to link up with.

“Once he made that eye contact, that connection,” Jones said, “he just went into a zone.”

Mack is naturally quiet and reserved, a shy person who didn’t typically converse with people outside of his inner circle. But those people are the ones who’ve helped him overcome his obstacles — exposure, his commitment process and his college adjustment — and become who he is today.

Today, he’s a record-setting running back for the University of South Florida (2-0). Last year he torched Syracuse (1-1, 0-1 Atlantic Coast) to the tune of 184 yards and two touchdowns. After missing last week with concussion, he figures to be the focal point of the Bulls offense when the two teams meet again Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in the Carrier Dome.

Marlo Mack, Marlon’s father, said Marlon didn’t really start playing at an elite level until his junior year, which led to him not getting scholarship offers until his senior year. Even then, those offers came to play safety, where he was named the Sarasota Herald-Tribune defensive player of the year his senior year.

But he was so good as a runner at times, Jones said, that sometimes he’d have to remind himself that he was the coach of the whole team and not just a fan watching as Marlon would knife through defenses, leaving behind defenders.

“He just had that ‘it’ factor at running back,” Jones said. “We knew it all along.

I used to tell recruiters coming in, he’s a program changer.”

Marlo said his son was disappointed at not getting offers. When Marlon turned to him for advice, Marlo told him to put in the extra work and the time to focus on his craft.

Marlon listened.

His big breakthrough came after UCLA offered him a scholarship to play running back. Without even visiting the school, Mack committed. When the Bruins put him on their radar, other schools did too, and he started getting more offers. Mack decommitted and debated taking a Louisville offer see mack page 18

MARLON MACK, USF’s record-setting junior running back, torched Syracuse last year when he put on a two-touchdown, 184-yard clinic in the Bull’s dominant win. He’ll look to do the same on Saturday. courtesy of university of south florida athletics

MACK missed USF’s game last week with a concussion but is near 100 percent for Saturday afternoon’s game. After decommitting from UCLA and heading to USF, he’s had a standout career with the Bulls. courtesy of university of south florida athletics

6 sept. 16-17, 2016

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PREGAME PLAYBOOK numbers to know

dontae strickland

5 4 . 8%

marlon mack

u sf

43.9%s u

3rd down conversion rate

rushing yards

rushing touchdowns

507

6 238 2

SU

My strength is probably vision and just being a versatile back … They can have me out in the slot, in the back field. I got hands.

USF

yards per carry

SU

USF

I used to tell recruiters coming in, he’s a program changer.

rushing attempts

5.6

91 75

3.2

Johnnie Jones marlon mack’s high school coach

Dontae Strickland su running back

SU

USF

SU

USF

last time they played

total yards SU

rush yards

USF

540

4.6

3

SU

USF

7.8

USF

1

last time they played: score tracker In Syracuse’s last matchup with South Florida, the Orange never led the Bulls. See the progression of the SU-USF score.

40

SCORE

HALFTIME

30

20

10

completion percentage

fumbles 61 . 8 %

SU

70 % u

sf

300

USF

yards per play

3rd down su

114

SU

305

46.7%

usf su

0 TIME

su

6 8. 2 %

us

f

sept. 16-17, 2016 7

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PREGAME PLAYBOOK numbers to know

last time they played

kielan whitner

492

sacks 4

SU

Yards Syracuse has allowed per game — 133th worst in the country out of 130 ranked teams

USF

9

5

points per game allowed

Syracuse allowed nine plays of 30 or more yards against Louisville in Week 2

SU

34.5

USF

3rd down conversions allowed

I’m definitely super critical of myself after every game.

Just want to do the things that I did bad better the next time.

46.7%

su

27.78%

18.5

us f

ints SU

1

USF

1

Kielan Whitner su safety

yards allowed per game forced fumbles

100

opponent success percentage

Check out how Syracuse and South Florida’s defenses compare when in their own end zone. USF’s opponents have a 100 percent success rate when they reach the red zone.

That’s worst in the nation. Syracuse is ranked 49th out of 93 teams with its opponents converting 83.3 percent of the time.

83.3 4

SU

USF

SU

5

USF

all-time series Check out the all-time series results laid out in a line graph from the time Syracuse and South Florida started playing in 2005

40

SCORE

30

usf

20

10

su 0 2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2015

8 sept. 16-17, 2016

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2016 SYRACUSE FOOTBALL ROSTER NO. & NAME

POSITION

HT.

WT.

1 Brisly Estime

WR

5-9

183 Sr.

Delray Beach, Fla. / Atlantic Community

42 Joe Stanard

DB

5-10 202 Sr.

Baldwinsville, N.Y. / C.W. Baker

2 Eric Dungey

QB

6-3

207 So.

Lake Oswego, Ore. / Lakeridge

43 Terell Drayton

LB

5-11

Rosedale, N.Y. / Townsend Harris

2 Wayne Morgan

DB

5-11

193

R-Sr. Brooklyn, N.Y. / Erasmus Hall

45 Kenneth Ruff

DL/TE 6-1

3 Ervin Philips

WR

5-11

176

Jr.

4 Zaire Franklin

LB

6-0

230 Jr.

Philadelphia, Pa. / La Salle College

4 Dontae Strickland

RB

5-11

199

Dayton, N.J. / South Brunswick

47 Matt Keller

LS

5-11

222 So.

Willow Street, Pa. / Penn Manor

5 Austin Wilson

QB

6-3

222 R-Jr.

Camp Hill, Pa. / East Pennsboro

48 Cole Murphy

K

6-3

200 Jr.

Castaic, Calif. / Valencia

6 Rodney Williams

DB

5-10 186

49 Alryk Perry

LB

6-1

217

Columbus, Ga. / Glenwood School

7 Amba Etta-Tawo

WR

6-2

202 R-Sr. Powder Springs, Ga. / McEachern

51 Jaquwan Nelson

DL

6-3

235 Fr.

8 Antwan Cordy

DB

5-8

175

Jr.

Homestead, Fla. / South Dade

52 Kayton Samuels

DL

6-0

314

8 Steve Ishmael

WR

6-2

210

Jr.

Miami, Fla. / North MIami Beach

53 Nathan Hines

LS

6-6

248 Jr.

Catonsville, Md. / Catonsville

9 Juwan Dowels

DB

5-10 180

R-So. Sunrise, Fla. / American Heritage

54 Tyler Cross

DL

6-2

279 R-Fr.

Douglassville, Ga. / Northview

10 Mo Hasan

QB

6-3

186

Fr.

Coral Gables, Fla. / Dillard

55 Kendall Coleman

DL

6-3

252 Fr.

Indianapolis, Ind. / Cathedral

10 Sterling Hofrichter

P

5-9

183

R-Fr.

Valrico, Fla. / Armwood

56 Liam O’Sullivan

OL

6-8

271

Fr.

Chicago, Ill. / Maine South

11 Corey Winfield

DB

6-1

190 R-Jr.

St. Louis, Mo. / Riverview Gardens

57 Omari Palmer

OL

6-3

315

R-Sr. Coram, N.Y. / Longwood

12 Andrew Armstrong LB

6-2

217

Fr.

Youngstown, Ohio / Cardinal Mooney

58 Donnie Foster

OL

6-3

326 R-So. Savannah, Ga. / IMG Academy (Fla.)

13 Devin Butler

WR/RB 6-3

195

Fr.

District Heights, Md. / Frederick Douglass

58 Hernz Laguerre

DL

6-1

237

13 Evan Foster

DB

6-0

208 Fr.

West Bloomfield, Mich./West Bloomfield

59 Aaron Roberts

OL

6-4

280 R-So. Chicago, Ill. / De La Salle Institute

14 Kenterius Womack WR

6-1

181

Luverne, Ala. / Luverne

60 Cody Conway

OL

6-6

287 So.

Plainfield, Ill. / Plainfield North

15 Rex Culpepper

QB

6-3

228 Fr.

Tampa, Fla. / Plant

61 Samuel Clausman

OL

6-3

317

Pembroke Pines, Fla. /

16 Carl Jones

DB

6-1

177

Twinsburg, Ohio / St. Edward

16 Zack Mahoney

QB

6-2

206 Jr.

LaGrange Park, Ill. / Lyons Township

63 Evan Adams

OL

6-6

333 R-Fr.

Norwalk, Conn. / Norwalk

17 Jamal Custis

WR

6-5

224 Jr.

Philadelphia, Pa. / Neumann-Goretti

64 Colin Byrne

OL

6-5

312

Coral Springs, Fla. / St. Thomas Aquinas

18 Scoop Bradshaw

WR

5-11

163

Fr.

Tampa, Fla. / Plant

65 Jamar McGloster

OL

6-7

328 R-Jr.

19 Daivon Ellison

DB

5-8

177

So.

Linden, N.J. / Don Bosco Prep

67 Michael Lasker

OL

6-5

312

R-Sr. Corona, Calif. / Santiago

19 Tyler Gilfus

WR

6-1

192

Fr.

Cape Vincent, N.Y. / Thousand Islands

68 Airon Servais

OL

6-6

291

Fr.

20 Cordell Hudson

DB

5-11

183

R-So. Largo, Fla. / Largo

72 Steven Clark

DL

6-2

287 So.

Arab, Ala. / Brindlee Mountain

20 Sean Riley

WR

5-8

151

Fr.

Playa del Rey, Calif. / Narbonne

72 Andrejas Duerig

OL

6-3

309 R-Fr.

Lowell, Ind. / Mount Carmel

21 Moe Neal

RB

5-11

169

Fr.

Gastonia, N.C. / Forestview

73 Jon Burton

OL

6-8

310

Spotsylvania, Va. / Courtland

21 Chauncey Scissum DB

6-2

201

R-Jr.

West Henrietta, N.Y. / Rush-Henrietta

75 Sam Heckel

OL

6-4

279 Fr.

22 Jordan Fredericks

RB

5-10 209 So.

Inwood, N.Y. / Lawrence

76 Keaton Darney

OL

6-3

276

23 Jonathan Thomas

LB

6-1

209 Jr.

Lawrenceville, Ga. / Collins Hill

77 Mike Clark

OL

6-8

304 Fr.

24 Shyheim Cullen

LB

6-0

210

R-Fr.

Lowell, Mass. / Lowell

78 Jason Emerich

OL

6-3

293 R-Sr. New Ringgold, Pa. / Blue Mountain

25 Kielan Whitner

DB

6-0

197

So.

Lawrenceville, Ga. / Mountain View

79 Anthony Giudice

DL

6-1

273 So.

26 Tyrone Perkins

WR

6-0

203 So.

Glen Head, N.Y. / Friends Academy

27 Devon Clarke

DB

6-2

186

Fr.

Kissimmee, Fla. / Osceola

27 George Morris

RB

6-0

182

28 Christopher Fredrick DB

5-11

189

29 Otto Zaccardo

RB

5-10 186

30 Parris Bennett

LB

6-0

31 Kyle Kleinberg

TE

6-0

32 Winston Lee

YR.

So.

HOMETOWN / HIGH SCHOOL

West Haven, Conn. / West Haven

R-So. Cherry Hill, N.J. / Cherry Hill West

So.

Fr.

NO. & NAME

POSITION

HT.

WT.

219

YR.

Jr.

264 Fr.

HOMETOWN / HIGH SCHOOL

Lauderhill, Fla. / Dillard

46 Adam Dulka LB 5-9 226 Fr. Brecksville, Ohio / Huntington Valley University School

R-Jr.

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. / Ft. Lauderdale

R-So. Ellenwood, Ga. / Arabia Mountain

Sr.

R-Fr.

R-Fr.

R-Jr.

Spring Valley, N.Y. / Spring Valley

St. Thomas Aquinas

Hillside, N.J. / Saint Anthony

Green Bay, Wis. / Ashwaubenon

Waukesha, Wis. / Waukesha West

R-So. Los Angeles, Calif. / Loyola

Exton, Pa. / Downingtown East

Monroe Township, N.J. / Avon Old Farms (Conn.)

80 K.K. Hahn

WR

5-10 178

R-Sr. Lawrenceville, Ga. / Central Gwinnett

82 Alvin Cornelius

WR

6-1

R-Fr.

Conley, Ga. / Cedar Grove

83 Sean Avant

WR

5-10 210

R-Jr.

Miramar, Fla. / Miramar

Fr.

Subury, Mass. / Lincoln-Sudbury

85 Josh Black

DL

6-3

257

Fr.

Loves Park, Ill. / Harlem

208 Jr.

Detroit, Mich. / Univ. of Detroit Jesuit

86 Adly Enoicy

WR

6-5

220 R-So. Delray Beach, Fla. / Atlantic Community

215

So.

Armonk, N.Y. / Don Bosco Prep (N.J.)

87 Kendall Moore

TE

6-5

245 Sr.

Chicago, Ill. / Neal F. Simeon

DB

5-10 193

So.

Hudson, N.Y. / Hudson

88 Clay Austin

WR

5-9

164

Montclair, N.J. / Seton Hall Prep

33 Marqez Hodge

LB

5-11

219

Sr.

Miami, Fla. / Miami Central

89 Josh Parris

TE

6-4

244 R-Sr. Stone Mountain, Ga. / Stephenson

34 Jacob Hill

WR

5-6

169

So.

Detroit, Mich. / Detroit County Day

90 Cameron MacPherson TE

6-3

250 Sr.

LB

6-2

224 Fr.

Detroit, Mich. / Cass Technical

LB

6-1

217

Riviera Beach, Fla. / Dwyer / Dodge City

36 Tim Walton

37 Ted Taylor

Sr.

Community College

Fr.

Bethesda, Md. / IMG Academy (Fla.)

190 R-Sr. Staten Island, N.Y. / Tottenville

Jr.

Syracuse, N.Y. / Christian Brothers

Academy 91 Trey Dunkelberger

TE

6-5

235 Jr.

Shillington, Pa. / Governor Mifflin

92 Nolan Cooney

P/K

6-3

187

East Greenwich, R.I. / East Greenwich

Fr.

38 Alex Grossman

K

5-9

155

Sr.

Woodbury, N.Y. / Syosset

93 De’Jon Wilson

DL

6-3

250 R-Sr. Washington, D.C. / H.D. Woodson

39 Troy Henderson

LB

5-11

216

R-Fr.

Cleveland, Ohio / St. Edward

95 Chris Slayton

DL

6-4

296 R-So. University Park, Ill. / Crete Monee

40 Zack Lesko

LB

6-0

215

Fr.

Solon, Ohio / Solon

98 McKinley Williams

DL

6-4

253 Fr.

Miramar, Fla. / Dillard

41 Eric Anthony

LB

6-0

202 Sr.

Baldwinsville, N.Y. / C.W. Baker

99 Jake Pickard

DL

6-5

256 R-Fr.

Short Hills, N.J. / Millburn

sept. 16-17, 2016 9

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Opponent preview: What to know about USF

By Paul Schwedelson sports editor

Syracuse (1-1, 0-1 Atlantic Coast) enters its Week 3 matchup on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in the Carrier Dome against South Florida (2-0) after a 34-point defeat at the hands of Louisville. The Orange is averaging 30.5 points per game this season, but the Bulls are averaging a whopping 52 points.

Here’s everything you need to know about South Florida.

All-time series: The Bulls lead the series, 7-2, which dates back to 2005. USF won the first five matchups between the two schools, but Syracuse has won two of the last four. SU won, 13-9, in 2010 and pulled off a thrilling 37-36 win on the road in 2012.

551

The number of total offensive yards South Florida has averaged through two games, good for 17th best in the country.

Last time they played: South Florida took down the Orange, 45-24, on Oct. 10, 2015. After starting off the year with three wins and a home loss to then-No. 8 LSU, Syracuse’s loss to South Florida was the first indication that SU was headed toward another season without bowl eligibility.

Flowers went 15-for-22 through the air for 259 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Marlon Mack torched the Orange defense with two touchdowns and 184 rush-

ing yards on 20 attempts. Ryeshene Bronson had 81 yards on three catches, including a 42-yard touchdown.

The South Florida report: Albeit against less talented teams — Towson and Northern Illinois — South Florida’s 104 points in two games is the first thing that stands out about the Bulls. USF has returned nearly all of its key players on both sides of the ball from last season and has gotten off to a hot start in 2016. Mack missed last week’s game due to a concussion but is expected to be near 100 percent. The junior is considered one of, if not the best, running backs in South Florida history.

Through two games, Flowers is 29-of-51 for 528 passing yards. But what makes him dangerous is his dual-threat abilities. He’s rushed for 99 yards on 20 attempts and has two touchdowns on the ground. Babers said Flowers reminds him of Louisville’s Jackson, who shredded SU’s defense last week.

“Exceptional player,” Babers said of Flowers. “Somebody who makes their entire offense go.”

On the other side of the ball, cornerback Deatrick Nichols and linebackers Nigel Harris and Auggie Sanchez are the key playmakers to look for. Harris has 11 tackles, 3.5 for loss, as well as a sack and an interception through two games. Sanchez, however, is the defender who Babers had the most praise for this week. He has 20 tackles this year and his 117 last year, tied for second in USF history.

“The key to their defense for sure,” Babers said of Sanchez. “The guy that makes most of those plays when those plays need to be made.”

How Syracuse beats USF: The Orange

has to figure out a way to stop Mack and Flowers. Last week against now-No. 10 Louisville, SU repeatedly got beat on readoption plays and the Bulls’ offense features similar elements. After the Louisville loss, Babers said Syracuse’s defenders were often in the right spots, they just couldn’t keep up with their opponents’ speed. South Florida isn’t the caliber of UofL, but it will still pose problems. With a likely depleted secondary following injuries to safety Antwan Cordy and cornerback Juwan Dowels, Syracuse’s defense has its back against the wall. How the Orange responds could determine the outcome of the game.

Exceptional player.

Somebody who makes their entire offense go.

Dino Babers su head coach on flowers

Stat to know: 551 South Florida is averaging 551 yards of total offense through two games. That’s good for 17th in the country.

Player to watch: Marlon Mack, RB, No. 5 Mack has the potential to be the most electrifying player on the field on Saturday but that could depend on his status. All signs point to him being full-go, which makes USF even tougher for the Orange. After running circles around the SU defense last year, Mack is the player to keep an eye on throughout the game. pmschwed@syr.edu

10 sept. 16-17, 2016

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september 30, 2016 11

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2016 SYRACUSE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE DATE

OPPONENT

TIME/RESULT

Sept. 2 vs. Colgate Syracuse — Carrier Dome

33-7 Syracuse

Sept. 9 vs. Louisville Syracuse — Carrier Dome

62-28 Louisville

Sept. 17 vs. South Florida Syracuse — Carrier Dome

3:30 p.m.

Sept. 24 at Connecticut East Hartford, Connecticut — Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field

TBA

Oct. 1 vs. Notre Dame East Rutherford, New Jersey — MetLife Stadium

TBA

Oct. 8 at Wake Forest Winston-Salem, North Carolina — BB&T Field

TBA

Oct. 15 vs. Virginia Tech Syracuse — Carrier Dome

TBA

Oct. 22 at Boston College Chestnut Hill, Massachussetts — Boston College Alumni Stadium

TBA

Nov. 5 at Clemson Clemson, South Carolina — Memorial Stadium

TBA

Nov. 12 vs. North Carolina State Syracuse — Carrier Dome

TBA

Nov. 19 vs. Florida State Syracuse — Carrier Dome

TBA

Nov. 26 at Pittsburgh Pittsburgh — Heinz Field

TBA

F R E S H M A N // R U N N I N G B A C K // 5 - 1 1 // 1 6 9 L B S

MOE NEAL

14 september 30, 2016

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Beat writers predict South Florida to top Syracuse JON METTUS (2-0)

SOUTH FLORIDA 58, SYRACUSE 38 TAMPA BLUES USF quarterback Quinton Flowers isn’t quite Heisman-hopeful Lamar Jackson, who stormed into and through the Carrier Dome a week ago. But this game won’t be much better than the Louisville blowout. Flowers and running back Marlon Mack will have their way with SU’s depleted defense. The SU secondary is on life support and South Florida is going in for the kill. Syracuse’s offense will have more success than Week 2, especially in the running game, but the Orange won’t be able to keep up with the Bulls’ ability to light up the scoreboard.

CHRIS LIBONATI (2-0)

SOUTH FLORIDA 56, SYRACUSE 42 BUCK OFF Syracuse is grabbing life by the horns, but it’s getting bucked. After taking its opening game against Colgate, 33-7, the Orange looked poor overall against ranked Louisville. Syracuse’s offense takes another step forward, but its defense proves to be costly again. The Orange will score points and will likely be able to run the ball better than it has when it played the Raiders or Louisville. If you’re a betting man, and you’re putting money on a Syracuse game this year, take the over. That’s typically going to be a good bet.

RODNEY ADAMS caught a 14-yard touchdown pass in USF’s 45-24 win over Syracuse last October. In that game, the senior wide receiver went for 63 yards on three catches, with a long of 28 yards. courtesy of university of south florida

sept 16-17, 2016 15

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SOUTH FLORIDA DEPTH CHART STARTING DEFENSE

2ND-STRING DEFENSE

20

57 3

81

75

43

94

10

99

15

73

74

61

78

9

5

36

85

87

19

30

11

8

Kirk Livingstone Deadrin Senat Kevin Bronson Vincent Jackson Auggie Sanchez Nigel Harris Deatrick Nichols Nate Godwin Jaymon Thomas Devin Abraham Ronnie Hoggins

77

53

98

93

60

55

63

68

70

55

2

4

21

89

24

1

STARTING OFFENSE

STARTING DEFENSE

DE DT DT DE MLB WLB CB STK SS FS CB

27

54

STARTING OFFENSE

94 10 99 15 43 57 3 36 18 20 19

13

18

STARTING OFFENSE

81 85 78 61 74 73 75 9 5 87 11

Z TE RT RG C LG LT QB HB SLT X

Ryeshene Bronson Elkanah Dillon Williams Atterbury Dominique Threatt Cameron Ruff Jeremi Hall Kofi Amichia Quinton Flowers Marlon Mack Rodney Adams Marquez ValdesScantling

2ND-STRING DEFENSE

98 93 60 55 53 54 30 21 27 13 24

DE DT DT DE MLB WLB CB STK SS FS CB

Mike Love Daniel Awoleke Bruce Hector Josh Black Danny Thomas Nico Sawtelle Jalen Spencer Khalid McGee Austin Hudson Tajee Fullwood Johnny Ward

2ND-STRING OFFENSE

8 89 55 70 68 63 77 7 13 1 84

Z TE RT RG C LG LT QB HB SLT X

Tyre McCants Mitchell Wilcox Eric Mayes Glen Bethel Michael Galati Michael Smith Marcus Norman Brett Kean Darius Tice Chris Barr Alex Mutt

84

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SU PROJECTED DEPTH CHART STARTING DEFENSE

2ND-STRING DEFENSE

19

6

25 30 11

8

60

4

13 23

95

72

52

55

59

78

57

65

2

4

33

90

3

20

16

7

13

STARTING OFFENSE

DE NT DT DE WLB MLB SLB CB CB FS SS

Chris Slayton Steven Clark Kayton Samuels Kendall Coleman Parris Bennett Zaire Franklin Jonathan Thomas Corey Winfield Cordell Hudson Daivon Ellison Kielan Whitner

37

99

98

79

93

61

64

63

67

16

21

28

87

1

2ND-STRING OFFENSE

STARTING DEFENSE

95 72 52 55 30 4 23 11 20 19 25

73

39

STARTING OFFENSE

2 4 8 3 7 90 60 59 78 57 65

QB RB WR WR WR TE LT LG C RG RT

Eric Dungey Dontae Strickland Steve Ishmael Ervin Philips Amba Etta-Tawo Cameron MacPherson Cody Conway Aaron Roberts Jason Emerich Omari Palmer Jamar McGloster

2ND-STRING DEFENSE

99 98 79 93 35 39 37 16 28 6 13

DE NT DT DE WLB MLB SLB CB CB FS SS

Jake Pickard McKinley Williams Anthony Giudice De’Jon Wilson Marqez Hodge Troy Henderson Ted Taylor Carl Jones Christopher Frederick Rodney Williams Evan Foster

2ND-STRING OFFENSE

16 21 13 1 82 87 73 61 64 63 67

QB RB WR WR WR TE LT LG C RG RT

Zack Mahoney Moe Neal Devin Butler Brisly Estime Alvin Cornelius Kendall Moore Jon Burton Samuel Clausman Colin Byrne Evan Adams Michael Lasker

82

sept. 16-17, 2016 17

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KENDALL COLEMAN has become one of the Orange’s most important players on the defensive line this season as a freshman, almost by necessity. He knows opposing teams are going to run at his side of the field, but he’s prepared to face the challenge. So far, Coleman has five tackles in 2016. jessica sheldon photo editor

Start at the end

Freshman Kendall Coleman is one of SU’s most important defensive players

By Chris Libonati asst. sports editor

K

endall Coleman knew he would be a target. He’s the freshman, a newbie on a line full of inexperienced players. So as Colgate quarterback Jake Melville turned and faked a handoff, Coleman crashed down on the offensive line.

Then, on his first snap as a college football player, he froze.

“Right after the first play (I knew I had to relax),” Coleman said. “Before the game, I

knew they were going to attack the freshman.”

By virtue of his youth, Coleman has turned into one of Syracuse’s (1-1, 0-1 Atlantic Coast) most important defensive players. He’s the end teams will run at this season because of the transition he’s had to make from high school football to Division I football. He had to do so without the ability to work on his upper body after tearing his labrum during his senior season in 2015.

KENDALL COLEMAN almost didn’t want to play football in the fourth grade and he played through a torn labrum in his senior year of high school. Now, he’s one of SU’s focal points as a starting defensive end. jessica shedon photo editor

Even Coleman didn’t expect to be starting so soon in his career. Coming into Syracuse’s matchup against South Florida (2-0) at 3:30 p.m. in the Carrier Dome, Coleman has five tackles, the most of any SU defensive lineman.

On Saturday, he’ll be a key again because, just like Louisville, USF runs read option.

“He’s going to be a good player,” Babers said. “Now, at 18, is he going to be able to handle all these 21- and 22- and 23-year olds?

He probably has some growing up to do. But after he goes through a year, year-and-a-half, I think we’re going to have a good player.”

In a game on Oct. 2, 2015, against Fishers (Indiana) High School, Coleman’s Cathedral (Indiana) High School was well on its way to a 35-6 blowout win. Before his coaches could pull him, Coleman was hit in the back.

“Kendall’s arm just slumped. It kind of fell down,” Nikki Coleman, Kendall’s mother, said. “… I just recall Kendall running off the field like Napoleon Dynamite.”

Coleman had complained about shoulder pain for two years. He had gone to the trainer, who told him repeatedly he just had a pulled muscle. Coleman used ice to treat it and the pain would come and go for those two years.

What he had, however, was really a partially torn labrum. The hit against Fishers fully tore it. Instead of immediately getting surgery, Coleman sat out two weeks and played in the playoffs with a brace on the shoulder. Only then did he get surgery.

Between last football season and the current one, Coleman trained his lower body when he couldn’t lift weights. His parents set him up with a personal trainer, who he worked out with 3-5 days each week. see coleman page 19

18 sept. 16-17, 2016

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Beat Writer Q&A: Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times

By Matt Schneidman senior staff writer

Syracuse (1-1, 0-1 Atlantic Coast) looks to avenge one of its worst losses from last season when South Florida (2-0) visits the Carrier Dome on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. USF beat writer Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times answers five questions about Saturday’s matchup between SU and the Bulls for The Daily Orange.

The Daily Orange: Should we expect similar domination from Marlon Mack as he had against Syracuse last year?

Joey Knight: Mack missed last week’s game against Northern Illinois after spending the first part of the week undergoing a concussion protocol. He has practiced in a full-contact jersey this week, so I’d

expect him to be at or near full strength.

His second-level burst from last season, when he toasted the Orange for 184 yards, is intact. Now, that’s accompanied by a better understanding of his linemen’s blocking schemes/tendencies.

The Daily Orange: What do Willie Taggart and Co. seem to be most worried about heading into Saturday?

J.K.: I don’t believe they’re necessarily worried about anything, but Taggart has made a point to indicate his team won’t see the same Syracuse defense that was humiliated by Louisville. It’s no secret some — but not all — of the Cardinals Madden-esque numbers were the result of Syracuse mistakes in the secondary. Bulls coaches believe those mistakes will get cleaned up.

The Daily Orange: What has been the

most surprising aspect of USF’s two blowout wins thus far?

J.K.: No real surprises. This is a group that returned every significant offensive skill player—- and nearly every significant defensive skill guy — from a team that won seven of its last nine games in 2015. This nucleus already has spent a year ingrained in the “Gulf Coast Offense” (spread, zoneread scheme) and 4-2-5 “Bull Shark” defense. They’re confident they can play with anyone on their schedule when they execute properly.

The Daily Orange: How equipped to handle one of the fastest offense’s in the country is the Bulls’ defense?

J.K.: We’ll find out just how equipped USF is on Saturday. The Bulls are well aware how quickly Syracuse likes to get a play off. Plain

and simple, a big emphasis has been placed this week on the defense just getting lined up. Depth isn’t a great concern; USF plays a lot of guys. Question is, how frequently will they be able to substitute at the Orange’s breakneck pace?

The D.O.: Who is one X-factor for USF that may not appear high up on Syracuse’s scouting chart?

J.K.: Striker Nate Godwin. A senior who entered the year with 28 career starts at free safety, Godwin moved to striker (i.e. nickel back) in the 4-2-5 over the spring, but was slowed greatly by a lingering hamstring injury and lost his starting job. Now, first-teamer Khalid McGee (ankle) is a bit banged up. Godwin has proven productive in the past and could be a factor in slowing down the Orange offense. mcschnei@syr.edu

TYRE MCCANTS (8) outruns Syracuse safety Antwan Cordy and SU linebacker Jonathan Thomas in last year’s matchup. South Florida crushed SU, 45-24, as the Orange lost the second of eight consecutive games. McCants’ only catch was a 56-yard deep ball from quarterback Quinton Flowers. courtesy of JIM DAMASKE/TAMPA BAY TIMES

from page 5

mack before deciding to stay close to home and enrolling at USF. Still, for Mack, the roughly 60-mile difference between his hometown of Sarasota and USF’s campus in Tampa proved to be a problem. For someone so shy and reliant on things and people that were familiar, the new experience was hard for him.

“Actually finding something to do, stay focused and keep my head straight. That was probably my toughest challenge,” he said.

His struggles affected his academic performance, prompting Mack to once again turn to his parents, who had a talk with him.

Marlo said he tried to get his son to focus on what was in front of him, and not to worry about other situations back home.

They made faux contracts at these talks; Marlo told his son that he would take care of everything he needed to do for the fam-

ily, and in return Marlon would focus on his studies and football.

“It was about his life and about the future,” Marlo said. “At the end of the day, we can talk all we want … all I explained to him was, ‘Do your part.’”

It largely worked for Marlon, as his grades improved and he started settling into his new life.

He forged relationships with his new teammates as well. Fellow running back D’Ernest Johnson noted that Mack initially kept to himself, but he started coming out of his shell. Mack replicated his onfield intensity in heated NBA 2K battles with Johnson when the two would hang out together.

He created a new core group with his USF teammates. Although Marlon was the one setting Bulls rushing records, Marlo would hear him describe the other Bulls running backs as his “brothers in the pack.” Head coach Willie Taggart called him the team’s

best player, but he refers to the backs as the “three-headed monster.”

Since the first talk with his parents, he’s had the occasional slip-up. Mack received his first ever “D” in college after his parents bought him a car, and Marlo thinks the two events were directly related. It led to another talk, another “contract” and an updated path forward for Marlon.

For Mack, it’s always been about his inner circles. His family helped place him in this successful role. His teammates helped him adjust after his tough college transition.

On Saturday, Mack will look up into the stands and find his parents — who’ve attended all his games at high school and at USF — along with his aunt and uncle, in the Carrier Dome. He’ll congregate with his running backs before the game. And with the support of both, he’ll get ready to try and put on a blistering performance of his own. tdlanger@syr.edu | @tomer_langer

9.2

Marlon Mack averaged 9.2 yards per carry when USF faced Syracuse in 2015

1,381

Marlon Mack’s 1,381 rushing yards in 2015 set a South Florida singleseason record

184

Marlon Mack ran for 184 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries against Syracuse in 2015

sept. 16-17, 2016 19

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Youth at DE could spell trouble for SU against zone read

MCKINLEY WILLIAMS and the Syracuse defensive line had problems containing Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson last week. Against a similar dual-threat quarterback in USF’s Quinton Flowers, the Orange defense will have to fix itself and plug in the holes to prevent another massive breakdown. jessica sheldon photo editor

By Chris Libonati asst. sports editor

On his way to making Louisville’s trouncing of Syracuse a personal highlight reel, quarterback Lamar Jackson exposed the Orange’s defensive line. On his first rushing touchdown against SU, defensive end Kendall Coleman crashed as Jackson sold a read option.

In a split second, Jackson was around the edge and speeding to a second UofL touchdown in three minutes.

At the end of the second half, his fake drew in defensive end Chris Slayton, leaving the edge open yet again. With one man to beat, Jackson made one of his most impressive plays of the game, leaping SU cornerback Cordell Hudson.

“When people think of contain, and maybe you’re dealing with the younger Pop Warner kids, contain with the ends, you’re normally right,” Babers said. “When you’re talking about a college football game or an NFL football game, there’s contain with inside linebackers, there’s contain with outside linebackers, there’s contain with strong

from page 17

coleman At Cathedral, Coleman didn’t have to switch which hand he used for his stance, so the injury only hurt his non-stance shoulder. When he got to SU, the coaches had the defensive ends switching stances and sides of the line, so he had to use the shoulder he injured. By the third day of training camp, though, Coleman said he was already working in with the first team.

“The week before I had gotten here, I was

safeties, there’s contain with corners.

“The defense is a lot more complicated than just simply saying that the defensive ends are the ones that lost the game on zone reads. When you talk about containment of someone on zone reads, it’s a defensive thing, it’s not just a one position type thing.”

Babers is right — ends were not the only ones with contain on those plays, but his ends were beaten consistently against UofL. Some transition was expected for that group.

Coleman is a freshman, Slayton is more suited for defensive tackle and the position group is Syracuse’s least experienced.

The zone read buried SU (1-1, 0-1 Atlantic Coast) against Louisville, and the Orange will see it again on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in the Carrier Dome. Quarterback Quinton Flowers and running back Marlon Mack may not be able to replicate Lamar Jackson and his backfield mates, but the Bulls (2-0) still average 7.1 yards per play. Last week, the Cardinals averaged 10.4. Last year, Mack shredded the Orange defense for 184 yards and two touchdowns on 20 attempts. USF racked up 7.8 yards per play.

“I think I have a lot to improve on,” Coleman said. “This was definitely not a good game on my part. The team and I expect more from myself, that’s why they have me out there.”

Coleman, in particular, is still making the adjustment from how he and Cathedral (Indiana) High School guarded against the zone read. At Cathedral, defenders were assigned to particular players on zone read plays. Lineman would take the player running up the middle (usually the running back), an outside linebacker would take the first outside option (usually the quarterback) and a cornerback would typically take the second outside option (only necessary in case of the option).

Slayton is more suited to bump inside, but a lack of depth at defensive end pushed him back outside. Aside from Slayton and Coleman, SU doesn’t have many other options at end. Jake Pickard is just a redshirt freshman and had as many reps as Coleman did in Division I football games (zero) entering the 2016 season. Graduate transfer De’Jon Wilson was a non-factor for Colorado last season, getting no game action.

Zone read plays are often predicated on

the decision of an opponent’s defensive ends.

If the end conservatively stays on the outside of a play, the quarterback can hand the ball off inside. But if that end crashes (moves inside, toward the offensive line), the quarterback can take the ball outside and escape contain.

Jackson was able to sell fakes easily in UofL’s matchup against Syracuse that the ends bit on, leaving the rest of the defense to cover for the line. The Heisman contender’s speed was too much to handle on the outside.

So far this season, Flowers is averaging less rushes per game and has thrown more. But he hasn’t had Mack for a full game this season.

Given SU’s struggle defending the run, specifically the zone read, the play should factor large into USF’s offense.

“He looks similar to (Jackson),” Babers said. “His ability with his legs to create offense for South Florida and then his ability to throw the deep ball on the money to keep the defense playing offense is a little eerie and it reminds me of someone I’ve been having nightmares about.”

just cleared to play full contact,” Coleman said. “… I had no clue what was in store for me.”

On his first play, Coleman’s pause was costly. He bit on Melville’s fake, letting the Colgate quarterback run outside. Coleman pivoted, chased for a few yards and dove for a tackle he couldn’t make.

“It was a read option and I was supposed to get up the field,” Coleman said.

He admitted the game moved a bit faster against Louisville. The Cardinals pushed a pace he wasn’t used to.

Nine years ago, Coleman tried out for the Pike Junior Red Devils as a fourth grader. The team was comprised of fourth, fifth and sixth graders. Despite being one of the younger players, he made the team. When he showed up to the first practice, Coleman surveyed the field and the kids running tackling drills.

“Are you OK?” Nikki Coleman asked her son.

“Mom, I don’t want to do this, I just want to go home,” Coleman responded.

“Kendall, I can’t take you home. I’ve already registered you,” she replied. “You have to stay.”

At the end of the season, Coleman became a captain and one of the team’s best players.

Instead of fifth and sixth graders, Coleman is competing with juniors and seniors now. He was never expected to be a freshman starter in a position that doesn’t see as many of those.

But what the Orange needs is the same thing he displayed with that team — to succeed in a position he may be too young for and grow enough to hold his own against older players and then some.

cjlibona@syr.edu | @ChrisLibonati

cjlibona@syr.edu | @ChrisLibonati

20 sept. 16-17, 2016

CLASSIFIED

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sept. 16-17, 2016 21

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Around the ACC: FSU-UofL, Boston College-VT and more

By Justin Mattingly editor in chief

The first top 10 matchup of the college football season features two ACC teams this week. Here’s a preview of all the ACC action for the weekend.

No. 2 Florida State (2-0) at No. 10 Louisville (2-0) In a game that not only features two of the best teams in the country, two Heisman candidates will square off in the highly touted matchup of the week. Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson has accounted for 13 touchdowns in just two games this season. Florida State running back Dalvin Cook, who was out with injury when the Seminoles visited Syracuse last year, is averaging more than five yards per carry and scored two touchdowns last week in limited action.

Game time: Noon TV: ABC Betting line: FSU -1.5 SU week opponent: The Orange lost to the Cardinals last week and play the Seminoles on Nov. 19.

No. 5 Clemson (2-0) vs. South Carolina State (0-2) While Cook and Jackson are battling in Louisville this Saturday, the other ACC Heisman Trophy contender — Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson — will be looking to improve on an otherwise mediocre season through two games. Clemson had close games against both Auburn and Troy in

weeks one and two, respectively, but will look to right the ship this week at home against South Carolina State.

Game time: Noon TV: ACC Network Betting line: OddsShark.com does not have any odds posted for the game.

SU week opponent: The Orange plays Clemson in Week 10 (Nov. 10).

Boston College (1-1) at Virginia Tech (1-1) The Hokies open their ACC schedule at home against Boston College this week. The Eagles are coming off a 26-7 win over UMass while Virginia Tech took a 45-24 loss against Tennessee in front of an NCAA-record crowd at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Game time: 3:30 p.m.

TV: ESPNU Betting line: Virginia Tech -6 SU week opponent: The Orange plays Virginia Tech in Week 7 (Oct. 15) and Boston College in Week 8 (Oct. 22).

Pittsburgh State (1-1)

(2-0)

at

Oklahoma

Both Pitt and Oklahoma State are coming off thrilling games in Week 2. For the Panthers it was holding off a Penn State rally at home to get a 42-39 win. The opposite was true for the Cowboys, the casualty of wrong officiating and a successful Hail Mary.

The two meet in Stillwater this week for a nonconference game.

Game time: 3:30 p.m.

TV: ESPN Betting line: OSU -4.5

funk n w affles - upcoming events calendar university hill

downtown

(all ages welcomed)

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maybird, major player inclusive or $10 | 7pm

popa chubby - $20 | 7pm dynamo & friends free | 11pm

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fri

16 sat

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major crush youthoria

$10 | 7pm

sun

19 tue

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22

downtown scav crawl - free | 2pm funktional flow - $10 | 9pm

jazz & gospel jam - free | 3pm simplelife duo - $5 | 5pm skunk city - free | 8pm

18 mon

307 S Clinton St

marley mondaze / dead night

-only one admission for two great showsget gratefully dazed at both locations for just $5! free funk n waffles open mic

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Jesse ahern & the roots rock rebel revue

Todd Lewis Kramer Dan Wagner, Patrick O'Malley $5 | 8pm swamp trotter Ed balduzzi & friends $5 | 8pm

steep with special guest:

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SU week opponent: The Orange plays

SU week opponent: The Orange plays N.C.

Pittsburgh in Week 13 (Nov. 26), the final week of the season.

State in Week 11 (Nov. 12).

North Carolina State (1-1) vs. Old Dominion (1-1) Both N.C. State and Old Dominion will look to get back in the win column this week after Week 2 losses. The Wolfpack lost to East Carolina, 33-30, despite more than 100 yards of rushing from Matt Dayes.

The Monarchs ran into a wall against Appalachian State and were unable to stop the rushing game, something N.C. State does well with more than five yards per carry.

Game time: 6 p.m.

TV: ACC Network Betting line: N.C. State -23

Wake Forest (2-0) vs. Delaware (2-0) In somewhat of a surprise, Wake Forest beat Duke on the road last week after going just 1-7 in the ACC last year. The Demon Deacons are 2-0 on the young season and will host the Fightin’ Blue Hens this week.

The Blue Hens have wins over Delaware State and Lafayette.

Game time: 6:30 p.m.

TV: ACC Network Betting line: OddsShark.com does not have any odds posted for the game.

SU week opponent: The Orange plays Wake Forest in Week 6 (Oct. 8). jmatting@syr.edu | @jmattingly306

22 sept. 16-17, 2016

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Week 3 guide: Top national games to know

By Justin Mattingly editor in chief

Many people went into last week not expecting much in the college football games. It turned out to be an action-packed and controversial week as a Hail Mary, close calls for top teams and an upset in the top 15 stirred the pot.

Here’s this week’s guide to the college football slate, not including the much-anticipated Louisville-Florida State matchup.

No. 1 Alabama (2-0) at No. 19 Ole Miss (1-1) Alabama was dominant in the first two weeks, posting 52-6 and 38-10 wins over USC and Western Kentucky. But now the Crimson Tide travels to Ole Miss to face a Rebels team it’s lost to in back-to-back years. Ole Miss responded to a Week 1 loss to Florida State with a commanding 38-13 win over Wofford last week.

Game time: 3:30 p.m.

TV: CBS Betting line: Alabama -11

No. 12 Michigan State (1-0) at No. 18 Notre Dame (1-1) Despite being rivals, Michigan State and Notre Dame haven’t played each other since 2013. That changes Saturday night as the top 20 teams meet in South Bend, Indiana. The Irish have been efficient offensively through two weeks, especially on the ground last week with 239 rushing yards. The Spartans had a bye last week but had a not-so-commanding 28-13 win in Week 1 against Furman.

Game time: 7:30 p.m.

TV: NBC Betting line: Notre Dame -8

This week’s national slate of football games is highlighted by three prime matchups between ranked opponents. USC also takes on No. 7 Stanford at 8 p.m. The Trojans enter the matchup as an 8.5-point underdog. daily orange file photo

No. 3 Ohio State (2-0) at No. 14 Oklahoma (1-1) Ohio State will play its first road game of the year Saturday as the Buckeyes travel to Norman, Oklahoma to take on the Sooners, who were ranked in the top 10 in their own right at the beginning of the season but a Week 1 loss has made them drop in the polls.

Bob Stoops’ squad rebounded from that loss with a 59-17 win over Louisiana-Monroe last week while Ohio State has outscored opponents 125-13 through two games.

Game time: 7:30 p.m.

TV: FOX Betting line: Ohio State -1.5

pretty extreme point differentials through two weeks. Michigan has outscored opponents 11417 while Colorado holds a 100-14 lead over its opponents. The Buffaloes have lost 22 straight games against ranked opponents, though.

Game time: 3:30 p.m.

TV: Big Ten Network Betting line: Michigan -20

No. 7 Stanford (1-0) vs. USC (1-1)

No. 4 Michigan (2-0) vs. Colorado (2-0)

Two Pac 12 rivals will square off in the primetime game of the week. After a Week 1 blowout loss to No. 1 Alabama, USC rebounded with a 45-7 win last week over Utah State.

Stanford is led by Christian McCaffrey.

Game time: 8 p.m.

TV: ABC Betting line: Stanford -8.5

This game will feature two teams that have

jmatting@syr.edu | @jmattingly306

sept. 16-17, 2016 2 3

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TAMPA 2 DEFENSE BREAKDOWN The Tampa 2 defense is a zone coverage scheme where two cornerbacks are responsible for about one-quarter of the field on either sideline and two safeties are in control of deep halves, with the middle linebacker dropping back into coverage to fill in the middle.

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You are a little bit deeper defending the run so you do have to focus a little bit more on open field tackles. Definitely, we don’t want anything to break if it gets to our level so it’s just a big focus on tackling in the open field.

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I’m back there so nothing will get behind me.

Antwan Cordy su safety

Chauncey Scissum su safety

Being 4 yards, heels at 5. Having your feet inside, foot up and kind of getting out going lateral and not back pedaling.

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Juwan Dowels

We gotta trust our brothers down there at the corner to get a good reroute for us and slow up the timing of the outside receiver.

Chauncey Scissum

su cornerback

su safety

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By Jon Mettus asst. sports editor

The way Zaire Franklin sees it, Syracuse’s secondary has one option: next man up. It’s a phrase out of the old coaching staff’s book, but it holds true for the situation it’s in right now.

“It’s just, there’s nothing else you can do,” said Franklin, middle linebacker and de facto captain of the defense. “Injuries are part of the game.”

The 62 points and 845 yards allowed in the loss to then-No. 13 Louisville were bad. But loss of starters Antwan Cordy and Juwan Dowels, a safety and cornerback, respectively, could be worse. Both players left the game with injuries and didn’t return.

SU head coach Dino Babers said on Wednesday that their statuses are still unknown.

Their injuries hit a defensive back group that was thin to begin with. Redshirt senior cornerback Wayne Morgan hasn’t played since being hurt in training camp about a month ago and freshman safety Devon Clarke

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has not dressed all season. Junior college cornerback Michael Moore and incoming freshman safety James Pierre signed to join the Orange this season, but neither qualified.

Here’s a breakdown of the state of the Syracuse secondary.

What went Louisville?

wrong

against

Safety Kielan Whitner was quick to blame the players for their execution against the Cardinals. He said the coaches consistently had them in the right spots, but the plays weren’t made.

“That was all on the players,” he said. “I wouldn’t put any of that on the coaches.”

Safety Daivon Ellison thought there was miscommunication throughout the game.

He said one side of the defense would sometimes play one way while the other side would play another. He thought that was all a result of some players being confused by the different sets that Louisville came out in.

“People were just playing to fast and wasn’t reading it correctly,” Ellison said.

The result was two 60-plus yard pass plays

for Louisville within its first three offensive snaps. The Cardinals caught Cordy looking into the backfield on at 72-yard touchdown for the first play from scrimmage.

Who’s left?

The only starters remaining from the UofL game are redshirt junior cornerback Corey Winfield and Whitner.

After that, there’s redshirt sophomore cornerback Cordell Hudson, who started the first game of the season and freshman cornerback Carl Jones, who played snaps in place of Dowels. Cordy’s safety spot was filled by Ellison and redshirt sophomore Rodney Williams, who was hurt for much of the preseason.

But the Orange will likely have to dip deeper into its reserves than that. That means freshman Evan Foster, who was hurt during camp, at safety. Then there’s redshirt freshman cornerback Christopher Fredrick, new walk-on from the track team Winston Lee and senior Joe Stanard, who has never played a down.

“Guys just have to step up and got to become some players,” Eillison said. “Cant focus on

like who’s missing or not. We just gotta keep our heads forward just keep working.”

Foster put down the biggest hit on the first day of contact during camp, Whitner said. And Ellison declared on Wednesday that “(Foster’s) time is coming.”

What changes?

Babers said he’ll evaluate the current depth in the secondary and decide whether or not it’ll suffice. If he needs to, he’ll manufacture depth by practicing someone at defensive back who wasn’t previously there.

As of Wednesday, no one new had joined the secondary for drills, Ellison said.

On third down and long, Syracuse often puts three safeties on the field, but without going three deep. Cordy’s versatility allowed him to move up to a cornerback spot while either Ellison or Williams slid in behind.

Ellison said the coaches didn’t address any changes in the third-and-long defense yet. Whitner said the team can still do the same thing, citing Ellison’s versatility. jrmettus@syr.edu | @jmettus

24 september 30, 2016

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