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[QUOTE="Strathless, post: 5488126, member: 10558"]
A big story in this game for me was SU’s inability to execute in big moments. The illegal shift call on the first drive was a momentum killer, but Syracuse had several chances to reestablish a foothold that they let slip away:

-Angeli giving up a scoop and score fumble immediately after the defense forced the game’s first TO

-Giving up a 73 yard TD on a two play drive after SU’s first touchdown narrowed the score to 17-7.

-Losing a chance to go into half down 24-14 after getting shredded on a 6 play 75 yard two minute drill.

-Turning it over deep in our own territory on the first drive of the second half.

-Failing to convert on both two point conversion attempts.

-But despite all the above, SU still had the ball down 12 with 10 minutes to play. They promptly went three and out.

The takeaway for me here is that we’ve talked a lot this offseason about how the team has added depth, talent, and measurables, and I  think that still holds true. However, there is no immediate remedy to replace the DART mentality that players such as McCord, LQA, Pena, Meeks, Barron, Diggs, Wax, et. al displayed last year. That team consistently made big plays in big moments.

This year’s squad needs those emotional leaders, and I think the season will be made or broken by how well team leaders are able to emulate the mental toughness we saw on display last season. There is a lot to work on after Saturday, but I did see a team that continued to fight after a more prepared opponent punched them right in the mouth and that gives me hope going forward.
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