Kingsley Jonathan is on first. On Andre Cisco declaring for the NFL: "I'm super excited for him. There's no other safety that I'd rather play on the field with than Cisco. ... He's been putting work in since his first day here his freshman year."
Jonathan on SU battling through injuries: "Guys just have to step up." Said veterans are pushing young guys.
Asked Jonathan whether SU's run defense woes are more mental or physical: "It's always a mixture of both. ... It's just little details that we have to pay attention to." Jonathan emphasized development as the biggest key. Goal is to get "1 percent better every day."
More Jonathan on the defense trying to rebound: "We've just got to go back to what we started at -- our DNA as a defense. We've just got to play more physical."
Jonathan on defending Liberty dual-threat QB Malik Willis: "We just have to contain him, do our best to make sure he doesn't run around."
Jonathan on missed tackles: "There's been a big emphasis on making tackles and bringing guys to the ground. We've just got to carry it over to the game"
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Ifeatu Melifonwu is asked about rFr. CB Garrett Williams. "We knew last year when he was a redshirt that he was a good player. So I feel like I've just seen constant development from him every day -- week in and week out."
Melifonwu on Syracuse rebounding from 1-3 start: "Everyone in the locker room feels like that. We're only four games in so we have a lot of ball left to play."
Melifonwu said he found out that Andre Cisco was leaving early when he saw the video come out tonight. A PR answer that Dino Babers would be proud of.
Melifonwu said freshman Rob Hanna "played really well" in his debut against Georgia Tech. He doesn't anticipate major scheme changes stemming from Cisco's departure.
Melifonwu on Andre Cisco declaring: "I'm happy for him. I'm excited. It's something he's been thinking about for a while and wanted to do so I'm really happy for him."
Melifonwu on secondary play: "My coach said the worst thing is not someone catching a ball on you. Just make a tackle." Definitely some missed opportunities against Duke.
Melifonwu on the secondary without Cisco: "I feel like everyone knows we've just got to have a next-man-up mentality. This year, nothing was for certain. One week someone could get Covid and the next man has to step up. We all embraced that." Mentions Rob Hanna again.
Melifonwu on missed tackles vs. Duke: "I think it was just effort. We played a lot of snaps, but that's not an excuse at all." Defenders need to rally: "You can't really look and expect that one person to make a tackle."
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Chris Elmore on now and is asked about playing Liberty despite coronavirus-related concerns as well as players leaving citing racial issues: "Actually we haven't talked about that and this is the first time I've heard about it."
Elmore said the hardest part of moving to guard was the technique. He said the first week of camp, he was missing assignments and messing up. Sat down with OL coach Mike Cavanaugh and went over things. Hammered on hand placement in pass pro. "Technique has been my biggest thing."
Elmore on SU getting this season back on track: "We've just got to have our leaders lead." Saw veterans take command in 2018 when the team went 10-3.
Elmore asked why freshman RB Sean Tucker has had success. Tucker's play or OL improvement? "I would say it's definitely a little bit of both." Elmore said improved technique has helped up front, but Tucker is a "workhorse."
Elmore said he knew Andre Cisco was different when he was up working out on non-practice days as a true freshman early enrollee in spring 2018.