Before we totally freak out...

[Earlwolf]

Im not going to really question the coaching decisions as I am not really a armchair quarterback type of person but I dont know how you cant be incredibly impressed with the heart this team has. Do not forget for a second that these players are kids, they are 18-22 years old and what they showed me today was damn impressive. There is no doubt in my mind that if Dungey doesn't get that cheap shot that SU steamrolls CMU and everyone on this board is saying " Bring on LSU".

But Dungey going down means that CMU no longer has to respect SU's air attack, they stack 8 in the box and Syracuse cant get a first down. But this defense that was getting shredded in the 3rd quarter, some how manages to get a turnover, then another turnover. The Defense that is deflated going into OT stops CMU and holds them to a field goal, That offense that didnt get a 1st down in the second half somehow manages to score the Winning TD in OT. Thats Heart, you cant teach that, you either have it or you don't. I guarantee you these kids learned more about themselves today than they would have if Dungey didn't get hurt, lessons like these are what turns a kid into a man.

They didn't give up, they didn't stop grinding, and they picked up one of the hardest victories of their life. A lot of teams would have lost if they faced the adversity Syracuse did today and I am damn proud they are "MY" team right.

 

[longislandcuse]

I don't think you realize how good Dungey is...

I think he's really good but we're a ways off when we look like we looked in the second half without a QB. Granted we were technically down to QB3 but everything from the defense to coaching failed miserably. Literally nothing functioned once Dungey went out. That can't happen that dramatically.

 

[Bayside44]

I think he's really good but we're a ways off when we look like we looked in the second half without a QB. Granted we were technically down to QB3 but everything from the defense to coaching failed miserably. Literally nothing functioned once Dungey went out. That can't happen that dramatically.

I wasn't happy with how the game was called in the 3rd and 4th, agreed there...but...it's like trying to hide a pitcher on the mound, really hard to do with Wilson and Mahoney (whoever that is).

 

[Earlwolf]

I think he's really good but we're a ways off when we look like we looked in the second half without a QB. Granted we were technically down to QB3 but everything from the defense to coaching failed miserably. Literally nothing functioned once Dungey went out. That can't happen that dramatically.

Dude, the Sc0ut team QB was our QB today, if Syracuse was on the road he probably would not have even dressed.

 

[orangeinohio]

I think he's really good but we're a ways off when we look like we looked in the second half without a QB. Granted we were technically down to QB3 but everything from the defense to coaching failed miserably. Literally nothing functioned once Dungey went out. That can't happen that dramatically.

I think Erv being on the DL is also really diminishing the offensive output.
But I agree the drop off from Dungey being out was insane.

 

[longislandcuse]

Im not going to really question the coaching decisions as I am not really a armchair quarterback type of person but I dont know how you cant be incredibly impressed with the heart this team has. Do not forget for a second that these players are kids, they are 18-22 years old and what they showed me today was damn impressive. There is no doubt in my mind that if Dungey doesn't get that cheap shot that SU steamrolls CMU and everyone on this board is saying " Bring on LSU".

But Dungey going down means that CMU no longer has to respect SU's air attack, they stack 8 in the box and Syracuse cant get a first down. But this defense that was getting shredded in the 3rd quarter, some how manages to get a turnover, then another turnover. The Defense that is deflated going into OT stops CMU and holds them to a field goal, That offense that didnt get a 1st down in the second half somehow manages to score the Winning TD in OT. Thats Heart, you cant teach that, you either have it or you don't. I guarantee you these kids learned more about themselves today than they would have if Dungey didn't get hurt, lessons like these are what turns a kid into a man.

They didn't give up, they didn't stop grinding, and they picked up one of the hardest victories of their life. A lot of teams would have lost if they faced the adversity Syracuse did today and I am damn proud they are "MY" team right.

Posts like this make me realize I'm too hard on this team but something about Shafers "underdog" attitude really rubs me the wrong way. I just don't see us returning to the Top 25 under him. Everything is a moral victory and life lesson with him, and that's great and all but we need a lot more than that to return to prominence.

 

[TheCusian]

Ok and devils advocate. Why is our defense so disorganized? All game we either had blown assignments and people running wide open, that last play wouldn't have been any different. They were slicing our defense is the reason I'd gamble on getting one yard over giving them the ball back. They were at the 40 within 15 seconds anyway. So even taking into consideration what you've said, it still reflects on the coaching.

Because they are young and inconsistent.

 

[Earlwolf]

Posts like this make me realize I'm too hard on this team but something about Shafers "underdog" attitude really rubs me the wrong way. I just don't see us returning to the Top 25 under him. Everything is a moral victory and life lesson with him, and that's great and all but we need a lot more than that to return to prominence.

To each their own but before we reach for the ax, I would really hope there is a viable alternative waiting in the wings. I dont know if Shafer is the answer but I sure as hell do not want to guess on another HC. Give this team stability for a little bit, Lester seems to be a competent OC so lets at least let the season play out.

 

[longislandcuse]

Because they are young and inconsistent.

This has happened throughout Shafers tenure. People just running wide open everywhere. I know we don't have 5 star defensive backs but I don't see WRs and TEs running around wide open against other peer teams like I see multiple times a year against us.

 

[TheCusian]

Hell we already chalked up last season on injuries, might as well add this one too. You realize other teams have injuries as well?

To their 1st and 2nd string QB's two years in a row? Really?

And no one is getting a pass for last year. The injuries are a part of it. So was the horrible hire and demotion of Mcit and bad coaching and talent etc.

You cannot write them off like they don't exist. That's not being objective at all.

 

[Chip]

Hell we already chalked up last season on injuries, might as well add this one too. You realize other teams have injuries as well?

Fact is we're just not deep enough. And I don't know if we will ever be to handle this many losses. I mean, QB1, QB2, WR1, WR2 (Erv), TE1, C. That's going to hurt most teams.

There are a lot of us who went all in on this program in the early 90s. Throughout the 90s, I remember 2 major injuries (Conley and Spotwood), and a couple minor ones (Abrams and Ponds 1995 comes to mind which cost us the Miami game).

Nothing remotely close to what we've seen this year and last year. Makes it so much harder to get excited about anything, I just feel like it's a matter of time before that player goes down.

 

[TheCusian]

This has happened throughout Shafers tenure. People just running wide open everywhere. I know we don't have 5 star defensive backs but I don't see WRs and TEs running around wide open against other peer teams like I see multiple times a year against us.

Also we have had top 40 ranked D's for most of the past 7 years soooo? I'm not happy with the secondary - but they are young and inconsistent. And they will get better.

 

[Shrmdougluvr]

Here's a list of offensive players out:

• 1st string QB
• 2nd string QB (Dungey)
• 3rd String QB (long broken hand)
• Starting center in Trudo
• Starting WR in Ish
• Starting HB in Erv
• Starting TE in Parris

Not thrilled with the second half but of we get those guys back by USF I feel decent about making a bowl.

Meh. But that's football though, isnt it? Players get hurt and others have to step up.

What concerned me was the lack of physicality. This o-line is a bunch of 4th and 5th year players. The defense played poorly (missed tackles, bad angles, failure to get off blocks, no contain, etc). These issues arent getting resolved by getting Dungey or Irv back. Some of these guys just need to be better.

I did not have high hopes before the season, but notwithstanding injuries, we are in as good a position as possible. From here, its a race to win 3 more games and we have six decent chances to pick up a win.

 

[Earlwolf]

This has happened throughout Shafers tenure. People just running wide open everywhere. I know we don't have 5 star defensive backs but I don't see WRs and TEs running around wide open against other peer teams like I see multiple times a year against us.

but that is the risk/reward of the 4-3 attack defense. It is designed to cause turnovers(which it has done 3 weeks in a row). It can be aggravating to watch but this defense also has the ability to score points...

 

[NineOneSeven]

but that is the risk/reward of the 4-3 attack defense. It is designed to cause turnovers(which it has done 3 weeks in a row). It can be aggravating to watch but this defense also has the ability to score points...

It's black and white, or feast and famine, as they say.

 

[anomander]

To their 1st and 2nd string QB's two years in a row? Really?

And no one is getting a pass for last year. The injuries are a part of it. So was the horrible hire and demotion of Mc. . . . it and bad coaching and talent etc.

You cannot write them off like they don't exist. That's not being objective at all.

So what about the 2013 season when we happened to catch 4 or 5 teams without their best player, and we got to play a team that played a Linebacker at QB. We caught more breaks with other teams injuries that year then i have ever seen. Did anyone cry for them? No, and we shouldn't. You know why? It's football, it's a violent game. Injuries happen.

 

[longislandcuse]

but that is the risk/reward of the 4-3 attack defense. It is designed to cause turnovers(which it has done 3 weeks in a row). It can be aggravating to watch but this defense also has the ability to score points...

Have we been playing so far off the line all season? It seemed like we were blitzing but then playing 10 yards off their WRs and TEs which especially made no sense on plays where they need 4-8 yards. I've never seen the middle of the field so wide open in my life. Just bizarre defense all day. I do like the attack defense but today seemed like a "passive attack" if that makes any sense.

 

[Orangeman]

Re-watching the game on DVR with my wife (she was at grandson's peewee game). Those MAC refs really sucked...

Every spot was a yard back for us

I guarantee if you checked this scientifically you'd agree

 

[upperdeck]

CMU threw for 75% and 275 against ok st, 75% and 328 last week, 75% and 430 against us. he has played pretty well againt every one lately.

 

[anomander]

Fact is we're just not deep enough. And I don't know if we will ever be to handle this many losses. I mean, QB1, QB2, WR1, WR2 (Erv), TE1, C. That's going to hurt most teams.

There are a lot of us who went all in on this program in the early 90s. Throughout the 90s, I remember 2 major injuries (Conley and Spotwood), and a couple minor ones (Abrams and Ponds 1995 comes to mind which cost us the Miami game).

Nothing remotely close to what we've seen this year and last year. Makes it so much harder to get excited about anything, I just feel like it's a matter of time before that player goes down.

It's not just us. Look around college football you see major injuries to star players everywhere. Look at other sports too. I really think it ties into the increased focus on weight lifting. Either players lose flexibility with the increased muscle mass, or players are just so damn big these days they are destroying each other.

 

[TheCusian]

So what about the 2013 season when we happened to catch 4 or 5 teams without their best player, and we got to play a team that played a Linebacker at QB. We caught more breaks with other teams injuries that year then i have ever seen. Did anyone cry for them? No, and we shouldn't. You know why? It's football, it's a violent game. Injuries happen.

Huh? They are reasons outside of our control that helped us win games. Just like the reverse.

 

[Earlwolf]

Have we been playing so far off the line all season? It seemed like we were blitzing but then playing 10 yards off their WRs and TEs which especially made no sense on plays where they need 4-8 yards. I've never seen the middle of the field so wide open in my life. Just bizarre defense all day. I do like the attack defense but today seemed like a "passive attack" if that makes any sense.

I personally thought they were getting a very good push with their front 4 and did wish they would just drop 7 back into coverage but the philosophy of our Defense has been Blitz first and ask questions later and it seems to work out alright. SU faced a good QB today, someone that could end up playing on Sunday, he was very good in finding that open man.

 

[orangeinohio]

CMU threw for 75% and 275 against ok st, 75% and 328 last week, 75% and 430 against us. he has played pretty well againt every one lately.

I know it's the pitiful MAC but I wonder if Cooper Rush is going to be one of the better passing QBs we see this year.

 

[KellySyracuse]

screw you naysayers and arm chair quarterbacks

http://www.At their request, this n...ry/1588997-late-timeout-was-right-move-shafer

"After going back and rewatching the play, the Syracuse defense was scrambling. They clearly were confused and did not know what they should be running. This was especially true in the secondary, where the Orange safeties could be seen with their hands up in the air as if they were asking the sideline what to do. You can see this in the picture below."

Go find another team to cheer for or suit up yourself and go get the job done. But for God's sake, shut the up

 

[TheCusian]

And it's a miracle if we make it through spri I know it's the pitiful MAC but I wonder if Cooper Rush is going to be one of the better passing QBs we see this year.

He and Wolford might be better than USF, UVa, Pitt, BC, and LSU - passing wise.