The Syracuse Orange managed final night time’s sport towards the NC State Wolfpack. They gained an ACC highway sport in a spot the place we’ve seen some nightmares. Orange followers ought to be very glad this morning.
I problem any of you to actually say you thought the Orange can be higher than 5-1 at this level within the season. Has the workforce performed a full 60 minute sport but this yr? No, I feel that’s the thrilling a part of the place Syracuse sits as we enter this bye week. 5-1 and room to get higher.
The again half of the schedule can be a challenge- beginning subsequent Thursday night time on the 6-0 Pittsburgh Panthers, however that is all we may have requested for when the 2024 season started. Syracuse has put themselves able the place they modify the nationwide notion of this system and set up a basis on the return that every one of us have been ready for the final 20+ years.
Picture by Nicholas Faulkner/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos
Final night time was one other instance that this workforce is resilient. The offense dominated the primary half and got here up empty within the purple zone. The protection broke down and received a horrible name that led to NC State’s landing. But, each models discovered a method to grind it out within the second half. Sure, the Wolfpack moved the ball on the Orange, however as some within the sport thread have been calling them trash, the protection got here up with three compelled turnovers.
The offense has had higher nights, however they have been 9-18 on third and fourth down conversions. They managed possession, wore down the Wolfpack protection and stored the group at bay. When NC State started to focus protection on Oronde Gadsden and Trebor Pena, Kyle McCord turned to Jackson Meeks for 9 completions within the second half.
The workforce will get one other bye week to try to get some gamers wholesome and to have extra time to work out the offensive and defensive position rotations. Nobody within the Syracuse Soccer facility confirmed up in the present day pondering that this workforce has reached their potential and that ought to be thrilling for followers.
As soon as once more I’m asking you to not spend the subsequent 10+ days dwelling on the negatives. Let’s get pleasure from what we’re seeing proper now and discover that rational optimism. We’ve suffered sufficient distress so we must always permit ourselves to really feel some pleasure over the 5-1 Syracuse Soccer squad.