sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2011
- Messages
- 25,207
- Like
- 108,630
Welcome to INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY!
CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY BY PUTTING THE CAPS LOCK ON AND LEAVING IT ON ALL DAY. SEND TEXT MESSAGES AND EMAILS IN ALL CAPS. IF YOU HAVE MORE IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO WRITE TODAY, YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO TYPE THEM IN ALL CAPS AS WELL. BESIDES ANNOYING MANY PEOPLE, YOU MAY RUN INTO OTHER PROBLEMS AS WELL. FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU HAVE PASSWORDS IN WHICH LETTERS ARE NOT ALL CAPITALIZED, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO LOG INTO SOME OF YOUR ACCOUNTS. THIS IS A SACRIFICE YOU HAVE TO MAKE ON INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY. DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT TAKING OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
SU News
Tommy DeVito a hot commodity in this week’s stock watch (DO; Graham)
Syracuse (5-2, 2-2 Atlantic Coast) pulled off a 40-37 double-overtime comeback win against North Carolina (1-5, 1-3) on Saturday in the Carrier Dome.
Tommy DeVito entered the game with 5:07 remaining and sparked a comeback as a bruised up defense still struggled to contain big plays. Ultimately, DeVito’s three touchdown passes — two in overtime — were enough to push SU to the win.
Here’s this week’s stock watch.
STOCK UP
Ifeatu Melifonwu
Redshirt freshman Ifeatu Melifonwu, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound corner, excelled in spot duty for injured cornerback Chris Fredrick, who went down with a sprained ankle in the first quarter.
Lined up primarily against Anthony Ratliff-Williams, the Tar Heels’ No. 1 wideout, Melifonwu clamped down. He finished the game with four pass breakups and a tackle for loss.
His most critical pass defense came as North Carolina took possession at the SU 39-yard line with less than a minute left in a tie game. On first down, UNC quarterback Nathan Elliott threw to Ratliff-Williams on a comeback. Melifonwu stuck to his mark and jammed his hand in to knock the ball away.
After the game, Babers praised Melifonwu, who might be needed going forward — Scoop Bradshaw, SU’s other corner, was hurt later in the game.
...
Three takeaways: UNC football falls short again in double-overtime loss to Syracuse (dailytarheel.com; Upadhyaya)
...
Here are three takeaways from UNC's loss on Saturday.
UNC’s defense ran out of gas, again
After the Tar Heels gave up two passing touchdowns and 88 yards on the ground last Saturday to Virginia Tech quarterback Ryan Willis, defensive coordinator John Papuchis prepared his unit for another dual-threat quarterback in Syracuse’s Eric Dungey.
“There’s a lot of reasons why quarterbacks get out,” Papuchis said this week at practice. “Obviously, that’s something that we have to be aware of and do a good job this week of keeping him in the pocket.”
North Carolina contained Dungey for most of the game and held the senior to 42 yards on the ground. But less than a minute into the second half, with Syracuse in the red zone, Dungey struck.
The senior dropped back in the pocket and didn’t see a receiver open. He stepped up, evaded pressure from redshirt sophomore defensive end Tomon Fox, dodged a sack from senior linebacker Cole Holcomb and sliced through the rest of the Tar Heel defense for a 16-yard touchdown run.
Dungey’s score gave the Orange a 13-point lead with 14:06 left in the third quarter. UNC’s defense would respond, though.
The next eight times Syracuse had the ball, North Carolina forced either a punt or turnover. But this streak ended when the Orange opted to bench Dungey for redshirt first-year Tommy DeVito.
Syracuse started its drive from its own 42-yard line, but took only three plays to score. With his team down seven points and 1:39 left in regulation, DeVito threw a 42-yard bomb to sophomore receiver Nykeim Johnson for the game-tying touchdown.
After the teams traded possessions with neither able to score, the game went into overtime, where the Orange’s offense took the field first.
...
The Class of 2017 Beat UNC, Shows Promise for Syracuse’s Future – Orange Fizz – Free Syracuse Recruiting News (orangefizz.net; Aki)
When Dino Babers came to Syracuse, his initial recruiting class felt more like step-sons than blood family. They weren’t his guys, they were Scott Shafer’s. But when the 2017 cycle came around, Babers finally got the prospects he sought out to fit his system.
Now that those players have a season and a half under their belts, we’re starting to see why Babers is such a special recruiter and the potential for the Orange with the right players in his system. The final five minutes plus overtime on Saturday was the beginning of what will be a promising couple of years for this Syracuse football program.
SU’s Class of 2017 featured 25 prospects (including JuCo transfers) and ranked 11th in the ACC and 54th in the country, per 247Sports. Among them, seven put their fingerprint on the game by either going above and beyond or knowing their role and delivering when the moment called for it.
For starters, Tommy DeVito just made Babers’ week a lot tougher. Although the head coach wouldn’t anoint a starter for next week against NC State, the redshirt freshman is surely the favorite amongst the fans after guiding an improbable comeback over UNC. DeVito’s 181 yards and 3 touchdowns in 5:07 of game time plus overtimes will be tough to overlook for next week.
But DeVito wasn’t the only factor. While he’ll be the one garnering all the praise because he is the quarterback, what fellow redshirt freshman Ifeatu Melifonwu did was the defensive equivalent of DeVito’s performance. The cornerback came in after Christopher Frederick’s nagging injuries forced him out of the game permanently around halftime and came up with 4 pass break ups, all while mostly guarding the Tar Heels’ best receiver Anthony Ratliff-Williams. After pacing the way with 6 catches in the first half, Melifonwu spearheaded the attack to hold Ratliff-Williams to just 3 in the second half and overtime.
...
Clemson Exposes NC State Isn’t Ready for the Limelight (packinsider.com; Bradham)
There’s still a lot of season left for NC State, but yesterday’s 41-7 loss to #3 Clemson was an embarrassment.
A loss can be swallowed. Covering the 17-point spread would have been acceptable.
After playing the Tigers close the past three years, to be throttled like that down in Death Valley is a significant step back for NC State.
Ryan Finley had one of the worst games of his career, posting a passing efficiency rating of 88.54. He couldn’t get in sync with his receivers. Finley has been able to be a little late on his throws against prior teams, and his receivers have bailed him out, but the Clemson secondary was too quick.
When Kelvin Harmon is targeted 6 times, and finishes the game with 2 receptions for 13 yards, it’s bound to be a blowout, and it was. Harmon didn’t thrive in the limelight, dropping what could have been a explosive play resulting in a touchdown, but he let it bobble off of his fingers and his face.
Honestly, the Wolfpack’s running back tandem of Reggie Gallaspy and Ricky Person was one of the only bright spots of the day. Gallaspy averaged 6.6 yards per carry, and Person averaged 4.5. On the other side of the ball, despite the fact that the Wolfpack defense gave up 41 points, they held Clemson running back Travis Etienne to 39 yards on 15 carries (2.6 yards per carry).
What looked effortless was Trevor Lawrence’s performance. He picked apart NC State’s secondary that seemed so fearful of giving up the big play, that they always had a 10-yard cushion between them and the receiver. Lawrence was 26 of 39 for 308 yards and 1 touchdown.
NC State posted a -2 turnover margin (NC State – 3/Clemson – 1), with two of those being Ryan Finley interceptions.
...
NC State Looked Ill-Prepared to Face the Tigers (backingthepack.com; Lower)
NC State finally stepped onto the big stage Saturday, but instead of grabbing hold of the spotlight, it never came close to getting itself together.
Clemson is a very good football team. It’s a program that has succeeded mightily in the development of talent and depth and positioned itself at the pinnacle of college football. At its best, it would beat any level of NC State product, obviously. That doesn’t mean that the Wolfpack, which have been steadily upgrading talent and depth in its own right, can’t win a matchup like last Saturday’s. It just means that State has to play to its highest level to give itself a chance.
Instead of the highest level, we were witnesses to an absolute stinker. Center Garrett Bradbury bothered himself with no mitigation when he said “we got our ass kicked,” and he ain’t wrong. State looked worse than unprepared, they looked terrified of the moment.
Clemson is clearly better, and unlike the last two years, they didn’t leave the door open for State with their own mistakes and giveaways. It’s not the losing that’s upsetting. If you’re mad about a road loss to a top five team, you should readjust your expectations. It’s the lack of any semblance of competence that was so incredibly astounding. This is a good football team, and when they come out and look like they’ve never played the game before, it makes you wonder what caused the meltdown. State might not be better than Clemson, but it’s better than a 41-7 loss.
...
7 takeaways from Clemson football's 41-7 demolishing of NC State (postandcourier.com; Graynor)
Dabo Swinney gathered his team around Saturday night after his Clemson team clobbered N.C. State 41-7 and told his Tigers a message he wanted to make sure they heard.
“We didn’t win the division, but we control our own destiny,” he told his 7-0, 4-0 ACC team. “And that’s what we wanted to do. We knew the winner of this one was going to be able to say that.”
With that, seven takeaways from Clemson’s victory:
1. The ACC continues to struggle
Clemson beating N.C. State in the fashion that it did, taking down a ranked opponent by a whopping 34 points, speaks to how down the ACC is this year and how shocking it will be if Clemson struggles down the stretch. The path seems abundantly clear for Clemson to waltz into the ACC Championship Game, and in all likelihood, the College Football Playoff, too. There just does not seem to be another team in the ACC Atlantic that can hang, like there have been in past years.
“We’re a good team,” Swinney said. “We’ve got the potential to be a great team.”
...
ACC Roundup, Rankings, Bowl Projections, Schedules & Predictions: Week 8 (cfn; Staff)
ACC Week 8 Game Recaps
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
QB Tommy DeVito, Syracuse
With the Orange offense struggling, DeVito stepped in and completed 11-of-19 passes for 181 yards and there scores with a pick in the 40-37 double-overtime win over North Carolina.
...
...
Top Teams
8. FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES 3-3 (8)
Final Score: Florida State 38, Wake Forest 17
Week 9 Opponent: Clemson
7. SYRACUSE ORANGE 5-2 (7)
Final Score: Syracuse 40, North Carolina 37 2OT
Week 9 Opponent: NC State
6. MIAMI HURRICANES 4-2 (6)
Final Score: Didn’t Play This Week
Week 9 Opponent: at Boston College
5. DUKE BLUE DEVILS 5-2 (4)
Final Score: Virginia 28, Duke 14
Week 9 Opponent: at Pitt
...
...
Bowl Games
...
...
BELK BOWL
NC State vs. South Carolina
MILITARY BOWL PRESENTED BY NORTHRUP GRUMMAN
Syracuse vs. BYU
HYUNDAI SUN BOWL
Virginia Tech vs. Washington State
...
...
Season Predictions
2018 Syracuse Orange
2018 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2018 Preseason ACC Prediction: 3-5
Current Record: 5-2
Current Prediction: 7-5
Aug. 31 at Western Michigan W 55-42
Sept. 8 Wagner W 62-10
Sept. 15 Florida State W 30-7
Sept. 22 UConn W 51-21
Sept. 29 at Clemson L 27-23
Oct. 6 at Pitt L 44-37
Oct. 13 OPEN DATE
Oct. 20 North Carolina W 40-37 2OT
Oct. 27 NC State W
Nov. 3 at Wake Forest L
Nov. 9 Louisville W
Nov. 17 Notre Dame (in New York) L
Nov. 24 at Boston College L
...
ACC Power Rankings (Week 9): It’s Clemson in a class of its own – 730 The Game ESPN Charlotte (espncharlotte.com; Caruso)
It was a week that provided answers on how this conference could shake up. Clemson proved that they are in a league of its own, demolishing NC State. Virginia and Florida State are really starting to come on halfway through the season and the Tar Heels continue to find ways to lose. Several teams were on a bye but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t a shake-up in this week’s rankings.
Check out the Week 9 power rankings in the ACC.
Clemson (7-0, 4-0 ACC)
Week 8: def. NC State 41-7
In dominating fashion, the Tigers secured their most impressive win against the Wolfpack at home. Shutting down Ryan Finley and the offense, along with freshman QB Trevor Lawrence throwing for over 300 yards and Travis Etienne finding the end zone another three times, Clemson showcased why they are the top team in the ACC.
Miami (5-2, 2-1 ACC)
Week 8: Bye
There is a lot of talk surrounding the Hurricanes during their bye week and it surrounds the QB position. Malik Rosier is back as the starting quarterback, a decision surprising to many. The leash may not be long though for Rosier and going up against a Boston College team on the road won’t be easy.
NC State (5-1, 2-1 ACC)
Week 8: lost Clemson 41-7
Finley couldn’t get much going in the passing game against the Tigers and turnovers were an issue once again. Overall, it wasn’t the performance the Wolfpack wanted on the road to prove themselves. Now, they have to get back to work, as they still have a lot to play for this season.
Virginia (5-2, 3-1 ACC)
Week 8: def. Duke 28-14
The defense for Virginia just continues to impress every week, this week creating turnovers in the passing game and limiting Duke’s rushing attack to 58 yards. Bryce Perkins continues to deliver for the offense, racking up three touchdowns. This is a team that we need to start taking seriously in being a contender for the Coastal Division.
Virginia Tech (4-2, 3-0 ACC)
Week 8: Bye
Heading into a Thursday night showdown, the Hokies get a chance to prepare for Georgia Tech’s rushing attack. Virginia Tech hasn’t fared well against Georgia Tech in Blacksburg, with the Yellow Jackets grabbing the last two victories on the road.
Boston College (5-2, 2-1 ACC)
Week 8: Bye
After having a bye week in hopes to get RB AJ Dillon back, the Eagles now face a brutal stretch of games, starting with the Miami Hurricanes on a Friday night. After that, the Eagles take on Virginia Tech on the road, Clemson, Florida State on the road, and Syracuse to end the season.
Syracuse (5-2, 2-2 ACC)
Week 8: def. UNC 40-37 OT
The offense struggled for much of the game, that is when coach Dino Babers made the switch to Tommy DeVito. Once, DeVito entered, the offense started to come alive, finishing the game with 181 yards passing and three touchdowns. Could DeVito be taking over at quarterback? We shall see but the defense struggled to slow down the Tar Heels.
...
ACC Rankings Week Eight (gobblercountry.com; Johnson)
...
2. N.C. State Wolfpack: The Wolfpack came into the matchup with hopes of an upset on the back of experienced QB play from Ryan Finley. Unfortunately, NCST was never positioned to challenge Clemson, especially with three turnovers. Despite the loss the ‘Pack still look to be the most complete ACC team beyond the Tigers. N.C. State has another challenge next week when they travel to the Carrier Dome and face the Orange.
3. Syracuse Orange: The Orange barely survived the Tar Heels, 40-37, and needed two overtime periods to put the UNC squad away. Eric Dungey was having a hard time and redshirt freshmen QB, Tommy DeVito, stepped in to create the spark, to the tune of three TDs, necessary to carry the Orange to victory. Syracuse is only one win away from bowl eligibility, an achievement that hasn’t been met since 2013.
4. Boston College Eagles: BC was off this weekend but will face Miami on Friday.
...
ACC Panic Room: Clemson reminded everyone they're best in class (wralsportsfan.com; video; Brownlow & Ovies)
Lauren Brownlow and Joe Ovies discuss Clemson's dominating win over NC State. Plus, another week of bad breaks for North Carolina.
Fialko: Pack moves on after first L of season, 41-7 at Clemson :: WRALSportsFan.com (wralsportsfan.com; video; Flalko)
NC State lost for the first time this season, 41-7 at Clemson Saturday. The Pack doesn't face another ranked opponent this season and can still contend for an ACC Championship if luck is on the Pack's side, Jared Fialko reports.
Virginia is inching closer to a top 25 ranking (godanriver.com; Counts)
The Virginia football team continued picking up steam this weekend in its quest to break into the top 25 of either major poll for the first time since 2011.
For the second week in a row, the Cavaliers picked up votes in both the AP Top 25 and the Coaches poll.
After Saturday’s 28-14 victory over Duke, UVa is 5-2 for the second year in a row and has a 3-1 record in ACC play for the first time since 2008. That’s playing well with voters in both polls.
Virginia picked up 25 votes in this AP Top 25 poll and 17 in the Coaches poll. Both are up from last week when the Cavaliers earned two votes from the AP and four from the coaches.
...
Vote Best Tight End in ACC Football - Poll Ends October 25 - HERO Sports (herosports.com; poll; Staff)
We know you love FBS football, so we're giving you the chance to let your voice be heard!
Take a look at these five hand-picked nominees and choose the one you think is the ACC's best Tight End. We know this road will be fraught with indecision, but all that we need out of you is your honest best effort.
Polls close on Thursday, October 25 at 12 pm PT, so vote early and vote often! If you don't see your favorite player on here, write him in!
(stats as of 10/21) (Positions are as listed by team website)
...
Other
New York 'very scared of' new bug that sucks the life out of grape vines
(PS; Coin)
Richard Blair didn't think much of the strange, spotted bug when it first popped up in his Pennsylvania vineyard four years ago.
"We didn't know what they were, and we didn't pay much attention," said Blair, who runs Settler Vineyards in Kutztown, southwest of Allentown. "In 2015 there were more of these bugs, and again we didn't pay much attention. Then in 2016 they started coming out by the thousands."
Blair's vineyards were one of the first in the state to be hit with a new invasive species, the spotted lanternfly. In 2016, he said, 50 to 100 adults descended on each vine, sucking out so many nutrients that six of the vineyard's 32 acres produced no grapes the following year.
New York grape growers and environmental regulars are paying close attention to Blair's hard-won lesson. This fall, living lanternflies were discovered for the first time in New York. (A dead one was found last year in Delaware County.)
Last month, New York state officials said one lanternfly had been spotted in Albany County and another in Yates County, in the vineyard-rich Finger Lakes. On Friday, the state Department of Environmental Conservation said it had just found one live and several dead lanternflies at a tree nursery on Long Island.
...
Last edited:
