Dino's Game 8 Press Conference for BC

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Babers said he never leaves practice before any of his players. He praises CBs Ifeatu Melifonwu and Garrett Williams for their constant preparation. They always stay late to work on releases, technique, etc.

Babers said he "couldn't be more excited" for his players to be able to go vote today. Babers said he voted Sunday and expressed appreciation for the fans who gave him pick-me-ups at the polling center. "Get out and vote. It's going to be an exciting time."

Babers on his QB situation: "My big thing is we're going to continue to evaluate those guys and we're going to put the guy out there who gives us the best chance to win." He says he doesn't want to give any more info to opposing teams.

Babers is asked how much of the offense freshman QB JaCobian Morgan knows. He declines to answer, again pointing to a competitive advantage.

Babers said "we'll really get after" guard Dakota Davis in practice this week. Davis dressed for the first time against WFU, playing 10 snaps late. Now that he's healthy again, Davis must get in condition, Babers said. Sounds like he'll see his role increase vs. BC.

Babers said he thought RB Cooper Lutz rose to the occasion against Wake Forest. "What he showed me was that it wasn't too big for him."

To be a freshman in the ACC and actually be playing, it's unbelievable the experience they're getting----they can turn it into a positive...or you can take those reps and don't (work hard in the offseason) and waste those reps. -Babers on so many freshmen playing for the team

Babers on re-watching Morgan's tape: "He did what he was supposed to do. If you're going against a base defense, they're not blitzing you, they haven't prepared for you and you have guys open, you're supposed to be able to get the ball to them."

Babers said he was most impressed by Morgan's TD to Luke Benson as it would've worked in a more serious situation.

Babers says that Morgan got the most reps in practice which put him first in line to get into the game.

Babers declines to talk much about Chris Elmore's situation citing competitive advantage. The context here is Elmore can move to FB/TE if Dakota Davis gets back and that impacts the broader offense.

Babers said BC has turned into more of a pass-first offense under Jeff Hafley. Still, SU's run D is "definitely a concern," Babers said. "Hopefully we can do a lot better than we did the year before."

Babers said the winter conditioning timeframe is "unknown waters." There's the uncertainty of bowl games in the pandemic and if SU "doesn't have anything to play for," Babers expects work will resume for the spring semester in January.

Babers isn't anticipating his staff being able to hit the road for recruiting following the end of the season.

Babers is asked if there's anything he'd like to emulate from Jeff Hafley at BC: "I've got to find out what the formula is to get transfers who are eligible." Babers says Hafley did a nice job to create an immediate influx of talent.

Babers said there'll be a time when he sits down with seniors to talk about potentially coming back next year. He believes some guys are ready to move on while others could be talked into a one-year Master's degree. Babers hopes to show those guys that the 2021 team can improve.

Babers said Syracuse will practice tonight rather than tomorrow as players have off for election day. Otherwise, it's a normal practice week.

Babers said Salatha Willis is handling election day plans. He doesn't share any specifics if guys are getting out in the community.

Babers said "we'll see how it goes" with injured RB Sean Tucker. He implies that he doesn't know if Tucker will practice tonight.

Babers on picking JaCobian Morgan over Dillon Markiewicz as the backup QB: "It was very close." He said Markiewicz is a good player and that evaluations are not done. Said earlier in the call that more QBs will get practice reps as opportunities arise.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

/End

 

[syrBossHogg]

I don’t expect all the Seniors to come back,
Football’s a brutal game and some guys might be fine calling it quits and finishing their degree.

I do think some will come back but not everyone

 

[upperdeck]

Its also gonna be a different spot for most of those kids.. They wont count towards the 85 so the conversation normally had, will be different kids, can be asked to stay and maybe not play a ton but it wont hurt the team like some years..

They also face a terrible job market that may not be better, its hard to even interview for jobs now. Free yr to not have to deal with the world.

 

[AngryOtto]

Football is a rough sport. However a number of players may want to come back. They get another year with their brothers playing a sport they love. Most will never play competitively again. I could see someone leaving if they are leaving for a specific grad program.

 

[Chip]

Babers is asked if there's anything he'd like to emulate from Jeff Hafley at BC: "I've got to find out what the formula is to get transfers who are eligible."

This is my favorite Dino quote of the year. Call out the bull****.

As for all the competitive advantage stuff, I think it has to be hard for a reporter to hold back from saying something to the effect of "you know you're 1-6 right?"

 

[Orangefizz]

I’d rather see Morgan at QB passing to the RB, Slot and TE with the occasional pass deep along the sidelines