Today, we can dream

[Crusty]

Yes, it was Rhode Island (and they were terrible). Yes, the holes for the running baacks were gigantic. Yes, it was a total mismatch. But, is there anyone who didn't say to themself, "Here we go again", even before Hunt popped his achillies tendon? We looked like the beginning of last year. Then, the underslassmen took over.

Enter Eric Dungey. I watched Fan Fest and I didn't see much more than a spindly legged kid. Strong arm, quick release and poised, but he didn't do anythng much and it was practice after all. When Dungey came in to the game he demonstrated that all important attribute that can only be seen in a live game - poise under pressure. Sure, the game will be faster against Wake Forest and even CMU, but he certainlty showed he has the potential to be a big time QB. He will have his growing pains and it may take most of the year for the ACC game to slow down for him, but it will.

Behind a seasoned OLine, 9 players ran the ball for 328 yards, 78% of them by true freshmen (5.8 y/a). Lester gave the ball 42 times to true frosh. Jordon Fredricks looked like a startiing back, Dontae Strickland lived up to his billing and Jacob hill was well, Jacob Hill. The 5'6" marvel was exciting to watch as he got 17 carries and ran 1,000 yards to gain 75.

The defense with 8 or so new faces played very well. Soph Corey Winfield (pick 6) showed why he was moved to CB last year. Zaire Franklin was all over the field with 6 solo tackles (2 TFL) JUCO Ted Taylor had 3 solos as did Jonathan Thomas (who?). Every unit seemed solid.

Special teams forced a fumble, Brisley Estime ran back a punt 74 yards for a TD, first time we have done that in 12 years! He averaged 32 on punt return and 23 yards of KO returns.

Yes, it was Rhode Island, but Lester's offense got the plays off in time, had no turnovers, were 3-3 in redzone scores with 2 of them TD's!

Yes, it was Rhode Island, but the staff showed us a glimpse of the future by showcasing the most talented group of freshmen in memory, including a QB. Tomorrow we face the realities of the ACC, but today we get to dream. Thanks coach.

 

[A Clockwork Orange]

If I have any concerns over a game where we were playing a team that was completely and totally over matched, I guess it's this: Still seems as if our receivers have trouble getting separation. On slants, etc... Completely silly thing, but with a freshman now leading us, they'll have to do a better job of presenting a good target, and getting a step on their defenders. This was RI, and there was some separation here and there, but overall (and perhaps dictated by what we were doing on offense) receivers weren't running free, or even close to it. The domination we saw in the run game, I'd like to also see in the receiving game.

All in all though, there were positives for the team to build on, which we need more than anything right now.

 

[rosconey]

tyhe level of talent on ri tells me not to get "giddy" about anything that happened

as for dungy- he physically looked like a 3rd year guy- hard to believe he is a true freshman

 

[SWFLCUSE]

Great post Crusty, this is how most if not all fans should be feeling after last night's game.

 

[A Clockwork Orange]

tyhe level of talent on ri tells me not to get "giddy" about anything that happened

as for dungy- he physically looked like a 3rd year guy- hard to believe he is a true freshman

Got it buddy. You've posted the same thing a dozen times this morning. Just because Rhode Island is a bad team doesn't mean there's no positives to take from it.

 

[Crusty]

tyhe level of talent on ri tells me not to get "giddy" about anything that happened

as for dungy- he physically looked like a 3rd year guy- hard to believe he is a true freshman

I put that disclaimer in the OP 5 times.

 

[rosconey]

you guys are posting like this is the end of bad su football-

im just being realistic - we did nothing against a team that was real bad

we only scored 3 times on offense against the weakest d we will see - think this offense will do as good against p5 talent??????

i wanted to see a offense that ran over ri all game- i didnt see that

 

[TheCusian]

you guys are posting like this is the end of bad su football- im just being realistic - we did nothing against a team that was real bad we only scored 3 times on offense against the weakest d we will see - think this offense will do as good against p5 talent?????? i wanted to see a offense that ran over ri all game- i didnt see that

300+ yards of running didn't do it for you, got it.

Now: Putting you on ignore forever.

 

[A Clockwork Orange]

We had 12 offensive series and scored 4 touchdowns and a field goal. In the second half they essentially ran the ball every down, just trying to get the game over because they were up 38-0 after the first drive of the second half. In that first drive, they ran 9 plays in 1:28 for 72 yards and a touchdown.

The whole second half they were playing 2nd and 3rd string offense, giving those guys some run. They ended up averaging 5.4 yards per rush, for 312 yards. That's the epitome of running all over a team. Especially when you're working with a short field 75% of the game.

You're right, it was against a nothing team, but even your assertions on "not running all over them" are statistically incorrect. Those are facts.

 

[OrangeinBoston]

I don't know how anyone could ask for more out of that game. They showed resilience when their captain went down (beyond tragic). The freshman QB looked nothing like a freshman (yes, has seasoning to do). The freshman all over the field were surprisingly impressive. What's not to like?

The good thing is that the competition ramps up slowly. Wake is clearly better, but bottom feeders in the ACC. Directional Michigan is likely better than Wake based upon their performance against Okie State, but not world beaters. Couldn't design a schedule better to fit SU's situation especially as we are looking at a freshman QB taking over from here on out.

 

[rrlbees]

you guys are posting like this is the end of bad su football- im just being realistic - we did nothing against a team that was real bad we only scored 3 times on offense against the weakest d we will see - think this offense will do as good against p5 talent?????? i wanted to see a offense that ran over ri all game- i didnt see that

You have managed to piss on EVERY SINGLE thread this morning where someone saw anything good on the field last night regardless of the opposition. YOU have been the only topic of discussion amongst the mods. We're done talking about you and deleting your worst posts.

Enjoy syracuse.com.

 

[RF2044]

You have managed to piss on EVERY SINGLE thread this morning where someone saw anything good on the field last night regardless of the opposition. YOU have been the only topic of discussion amongst the mods. We're done talking about you and deleting your worst posts.

Enjoy syracuse.com.

Good riddance.

 

[CanadianSU]

you guys are posting like this is the end of bad su football-

im just being realistic - we did nothing against a team that was real bad

we only scored 3 times on offense against the weakest d we will see - think this offense will do as good against p5 talent??????

i wanted to see a offense that ran over ri all game- i didnt see that

It was 47-0 I was bored slightly... It was a total ROMP.

47-0.

What did u want 100-0?

 

[skytop44]

Yes it was URI who is really bad but that was fun to watch. Although it was great seeing a win like that, the air came out this morning for me when the Terrel Hunt news came out. Feel absolutely horrible for him. Let's hope the team can rally around Dungey and now that we're going to play better competition, let's hope we see what we saw last night!