He planned to install a fast, new offensive system that he and fans hoped would energize the program. Babers has styled this offense after the Baylor Bears.
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Orange fans have to be pleased he’s now on their side.
Colgate gave the Orange an early scare when quarterback Jake Melville connected with Owen Rockett for a 19-yard touchdown on the game’s opening drive. While the Raiders failed to score again the rest of the game, Syracuse’s defensive coordinator Brian Ward likely is not happy with his team’s performance. This 40-yard catch led to a field goal.
Etta-Tawo caught 12 passes for 210 yards. In addition, ‘Cuse had a benign running game (aside from the 49 yard rushing touchdown from Moe Neal).
Incredibly, both receivers almost matched their totals from all of last season in this year’s opener alone.
After two minimal gains, Melville, who only threw two interceptions last season, launched a pass on third down from behind the 25-yard line to near midfield, but the ball flew over the hands of Maddaluna and was almost intercepted by Orange safety Daivon Ellison. The graduate transfer came to Syracuse with just one career 100-yard receiving game at Maryland, ironically in the Carrier Dome against the Orange. Junior receiver tied a 39-year-old Art Monk record with 14 receptions in a single game.
The fast paced offense featured six different receivers tallying at least one reception, including Erv Philips.
It’s important not to get too carried away with these performances.
Last season, Colgate led the Patriot League in fewest penalties per game (4.8) and was among the top 10 nationally in both fewest sacks allowed and fewest tackles-for-loss allowed.
“There were a couple of chances we had to make a couple of plays on offense that we just didn’t do”, Colgate head coach Dan Hunt said. He also rushed for 351 yards and five scores. To be fair, that was more the fault of Syracuse’s inexperienced offensive line.
Syracuse QB Eric Dungey, who threw for 1,298 yards in 2015, has put on 15 pounds of muscle as he gets set for his sophomore season.
And, what does he imagine when Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Cardinals visit Friday night for a nationally televised contest?
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“This is a good Colgate team”, said Syracuse head coach Ian McIntyre. Matchup To Watch Brisly Estime vs. Louisville’s punt-coverage team The Syracuse punt returner is the team’s lone returning all-conference pick, making the media’s third team because of his ability on special teams.
