Friday, October 3, 2014 - 7:00 P.M. ET
TV: ESPN
Carrier Dome
Syracuse, New York
By Michael Castellano
Coming off it's second straight loss to #8 Notre Dame last Saturday at MetLife Stadium the Orange will look to get back in the win column as it opens up ACC play against the 4-1 Louisville Cardinals. For the second consecutive week the Orange will be in the spotlight as Friday's game will be televised nationally on ESPN at 7 p.m.. Let's take a look at what fans can be in store for as Syracuse opens up ACC play to continue the 2014 season.
No Run, No Win?
In the Orange's loss last week to the Irish its run game was shut down by the potent Notre Dame defense. Syracuse' leading rushers Terrel Hunt and Prince-Tyson Gulley combined for only 65 yards on the ground. Those numbers don't appear to have much potential to get better as Louisville, which leads the nation in rushing defense, has held its first five opponents to an average of 58.2 yards on the ground thus far in 2014.
Stepping Up and Stepping In
Starting WR Ashton Broyld missed last week's game against the Irish and is expected to be sidelined for Friday's game against Louisville. Senior Jarrod West stepped in and pulled in his first 100-yd reception game of the season totaling 103 yards on eight catches. The eight catches were a career best for West as he became the 11th player in SU history to eclipse the 100 career reception mark.
Familiar Foes
The Orange and Cardinals aren't strangers. In an eight year stretch from 2005-2012 the two teams played each other every year as members of the Big East Conference. In the last contest in 2012 the Orange defeated the Cardinals 45-26 at the Carrier Dome led by Ryan Nassib's three touchdown passes.
Built Tough
According to the NCAA Syracuse has the eighth-most difficult schedule in the country which continues this week with the 4-1 Cardinals who received votes in the latest national polls.
So far in 2014 SU's opponents are a combined 39-17 good for a .696 winning percentage.
Walk On, Walk In
Freshman kicker Cole Murphy has proved his worth in the Orange's last two games. The walk-on, who didn't kick a FG in Syracuse' first two games, has connected on 2-3 attempts in the Orange' last two losses. He was 1-2 against the Irish last week including a 38-yard FG and another that just missed hitting the right upright.
Turnover For What?
Both Syracuse and Louisville have had a knack for causing turnovers this season so far. The Cardinals are fifth in the nation in turnovers gained (13) and the Orange forced five turnovers last week against Notre Dame including three fumbles lost.
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