Tigers Give Syracuse Plenty to Worry About

Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer

By Ethan Joyce

Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer is in his 23rd year of coaching. So when he said Clemson’s receiving corps are the best combination of wideouts he has seen in a long time, it carries some weight.

Speaking in the weekly installment of the ACC’s coaches’ teleconference, Shafer praised the group on Wednesday while talking about the upcoming game against the third-ranked Clemson Tigers.

Shafer said dealing with potential Heisman-winning quarterback Tajh Boyd is tough enough. But when you throw guys such as Sammy Watkins, Martavis Bryant and Germone Hopper, you have a potent offensive attack.

“He’s one of the best quarterbacks I’ve seen in a long time in college football,” Shafer said. “He can make all the throws, got a quick release, and they have a great offensive coordinator who understands their offense and taught kid really well how to play.”

Sammy Watkins is still the number-one option, with 355 yards on the season. But Bryant, Hopper and Watkins are tied for the team lead in touchdown receptions, with two apiece,  for a Clemson team leading the nation in red-zone efficiency.

That is a lot of responsibility for a Syracuse secondary that most fans consider less than formidable.

Shafer is looking for senior cornerbacks Ri’Shard Anderson and Keon Lyn to lead the defensive effort.

“Keon’s been there, and Ri’Shard’s been there,” Shafer said. “They’ve gone against some of the best at times throughout their careers.

“Great challenge [for them]. We’ve just got to have a good game plan to help them out a little bit here and there.”

The Syracuse defense currently ranks 48th in the nation in total defense, 15 spots above Clemson. That said, the Orange’s defensive stats have been padded by blowout victories against Wagner and Tulane.

Shafer was quick to point out that on the defensive side of the ball, Clemson is underrated. Shafer says Syracuse’s run-oriented style will have to prove its worth against them.

“You never know until you go in there and fight with people,” Shaffer said. “I like our running backs, and the offensive line continues to get better.

“I still believe, if we run the ball, we can play with everybody.”

Jerome Smith, who six rushing touchdowns lead the ACC, will carry the bulk of the rushing offense for Syracuse.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney

Dabo Swinney, Clemson’s head coach, says Smith could create some problems for his defense.

“That running back, number 45(Smith), he’s a load,” Swinney said. “He is a big, strong, physical back that you’re just going to tackle for four quarters because he just keeps coming.”

Swinney is also impressed with the way quarterback Terrel Hunt has played in the pocket and stays cool under pressure.

“They’ve given up only four sacks,” Swinney said. “Part of that is a function of what they do in their passing game.”

“That ball is out quick. A lot of quick gain. A lot of throws in rhythm. They’re not a big drop back, stand there, sit-in-the-pocket type of deal.”

So far this season, Hunt has thrown for seven touchdowns and rushed for two more. Eight of those touchdowns have come during the last two games.

Shafer said his sophomore quarterback needs to remember to approach this game like he would any other.

“He needs to continue to throw the ball to the guys who are open,” Shaffer said. He cites the fact that Hunt threw to 11 different receivers in the Tulane game, and hopes he will continue to see the field.

“We don't want him to press, and we don't want him to turn into anything more than a quarterback trying to be productive in this offensive system,” Shafer said. “As long as he does that, we’ll have a shot.”

The kickoff time for the game is 3:30 p.m. This is the homecoming game for Syracuse this season. In last year’s homecoming, the team beat then ninth-ranked Louisville Cardinals, its last Big East regular-season home game.

The game will be televised regionally on ABC and nationally on ESPN2. Newhouse alum Sean McDonough will be calling the game.