By Michael Silver
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| Pre-game introductions at the Carrier Dome (c) Michael Silver |
Terrel Hunt, the 20-year old from Queens, led the
first team during spring drills and split time with Allen for most of training
camp. He was considered the early front-runner by most accounts. Head Coach
Scott Shafer revealed recently to The Daily Orange that he spoke with Hunt
during summer and told him Allen would be the number one quarterback. The dilemma?
Hunt would have to keep it a secret for two weeks before the season got under
way versus Penn State. A classic chess match with an opposing head coach.
Allen, who had a handful of schools to choose from, transferred from Oklahoma and came to Syracuse knowing he would have a legitimate
shot to run the offense. So far, it had been nearly unwatchable for the Orange
faithful.
After SU was dismantled at the hands of #19 Northwestern, the
debate heated up. Stay with the struggling Allen or bring in the young gun, Hunt? Quarterbacks coach Tim Lester told reporters earlier in the week the plan was
to play both QBs versus Wagner.
To start the home opener, Allen went 3 for 6, for a combined negative one-yard. After three consecutive three and outs (and a gift field goal, due to a Wagner fumble deep in its own territory) the crowd grew restless and began to boo.
To start the home opener, Allen went 3 for 6, for a combined negative one-yard. After three consecutive three and outs (and a gift field goal, due to a Wagner fumble deep in its own territory) the crowd grew restless and began to boo.
On the fourth offensive possession, Terrel Hunt ran on with
the first unit to the delight of the crowd. He led a 68-yard drive,
completing all three passes for 30 yards and a heavy dose of handoffs to running
back Jerome Smith. With eight rushing attempts for 31 yards, Smith capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, while the quarterback jumped in excitement and congratulated his
offensive line.
It appeared that the Hunt Era had officially begun.
The very next drive Hunt unleashed a 42-yard bomb to Jarrod
West. A quick check down pass to Prince-Tyson Gulley resulted in a 13-yard touchdown,
the first of Hunt’s career at the Carrier Dome. The home crowd was lively again, while
Drew Allen’s collegiate career as a starter might have come to an abrupt end.
During the media session earlier this week, Hunt was asked if Coach Shafer would implement a dual quarterback system, similar to Northwestern’s offense.
“I’m not really sure," Hunt answered. "He said to us before, if I got to play
one, I got to play one. If I got to play two, I got to play two.”
He continued expressing his desire to lead the team.
“Selfishly, you want to play one, you want to be that guy.
But if you have to play two it’s for the team, so you do what’s best.”
The Orange cruised to a 37 point first half lead and never
looked back, winning 54-0. Hunt was in control and looked poised under center,
scrambling when necessary; making plays with his feet that his predecessor
simply could not.
Syracuse plays at home the next two games. First the Orange faces Tulane, then a bye week, followed by the #3 ranked Clemson Tigers, in SU's first ACC matchup of the 2013 season.
Two divisions create the newly aligned Atlantic Coast Conference.
Atlantic Coastal
-Wake Forest -Duke
-South Carolina -Georgia Tech
-Maryland -University of Miami
-Florida State -University of North Carolina
-Boston College -Pittsburgh
-Clemson -Virginia
-Syracuse -Virginia Tech
Stay tuned to Newhouse Sports Media Center for the latest collegiate action at SU.
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| (TheACC.com 2013) |
Stay tuned to Newhouse Sports Media Center for the latest collegiate action at SU.
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