Maybe it didn’t pass the eye test but the numbers are impressive
The Syracuse Orange offense this season might not be what you envisioned for a “tough, Northeast football team”, but it’s been effective moving the ball through the air.
Yes, it was against a FCS opponent and yes there were issues throughout the game, but the Orange averaged over 5 yards per carry and 9 yards per pass attempt in this game. Penalties and poor special teams play kept Syracuse from making the final score look a lot better than 42-14.
Syracuse hit four pass plays of over 25 yards on 1st down calls and had another called back for a penalty. If teams are going to trust their corners in single coverage, the Orange are going to take shots.
Will this approach force future opponent to adjust their plan? That’s something to keep an eye on as soon as this Friday night against a UNLV defense which is holding opponents under 5 yards per play.
This isn’t the ground and pound offense that some assumed was coming to the Dome, but I do think the run will be featured more as teams become concerned with Kyle McCord beating them deep.
If the Orange can keep gaining 7 yards per first down play, no one’s going to worry about how they did it.