As he does every week, Syracuse Orange head coach Scott Shafer spent some time speaking with Matt Park about last week's results, the upcoming game and more. Video's embedded at the bottom of this post, but we've also transcribed Shafer's comments for you below.
On Terrel Hunt's season-ending injury:
"Tough deal. Tough game, unfortunately for us and Terrel. Just a shame that he’ll be done for the season. We’re keeping him in our thoughts, keeping him in our prayers. And he’ll keep fighting back like he always does. It’s just vicious, y’know, this early in the season. And all the work he put in after last season’s injury. Just a tough situation. He’s got a bunch of teammates there for him and God bless him."
What were some of the things he liked about Syracuse's big victory over Rhode Island?
"Well, you know, just everything. I thought we ran the ball well. Our offensive line did a nice job up front, which opened up a lot of opportunities for all the kids to have a chance to run the football. Defensively, it was just a stellar performance. We gave up two first downs. We shut it down in every category you could imagine. And, y’know, I was happy to see the young freshman (Eric Dungey) get in there and play pretty good football. He’s got a lot to learn, but he will, and I’m excited to see his progress week-to-week."
Given the fact that Dungey's so young, how do you go about asking him to do more?
"Well you just look at it as an offense, and you look at your players and what they’re ready to do and what they’re not ready to do. The good thing about Eric is he’s learned the playbook extremely well. He’s an extremely bright young man, high academic caliber guy coming out of high school. So he can handle about anything we put out there. I think the biggest thing is trying to counter-balance what we ask him to do and when we ask him to do it. The biggest thing is, for a young quarterback, just learning how to take charge of the game, have great command, manage things well, and then the plays will come. He did some good things. He was just short of making a couple really good plays. And he’ll do a great job for us and we’re excited to bring him along."
On other playmakers helping Dungey out early...
"We have some good running backs, some good Express backs, which will help a young quarterback, obviously. I think our offensive line has a good feel for what Coach Lester and Coach Adam are doing up front. I think it’s those older brothers that have to take charge and help the kid come along. And they will – they have. And there’s been a rally call through the course of the summer camp, to be quite honest with you. When he gets in, the kids are excited. Y’know, it’ll be fun. It’ll be fun for the kids, it’ll be fun for Eric and our coaches to develop a plan against a very good Wake Forest team. Defensively, they’re a very good football team – they were last year and they have a lot of kids back. So this whole offense will have a challenge up in front of us."
On Wake Forest QB John Wolford:
"He did a nice job. He’s a very talented young man. I know watching his high school tape from a couple years ago when he was coming through, and (Wake Forest) Coach (Dave) Clawson will do a great job with that offense. He’s a very good offensive mind. He’s put up great numbers back when he was at Bowling Green. And they did some very good things on tape, and we’ll have our hands full on defense."
On former Syracuse coach Dick MacPherson:
"It really will (be great to see him at Saturday's ceremony). I think more than anything, out of respect for Coach Mac, we want to play a good football game – be exciting, have an Orange-out, invite all the fans and students to come on out. And all the folks who’ve been around here for so many years have a chance to come back and honor Coach MacPherson for all the things that he’s done and the influence he’s had on our program. I’ve been so lucky to coach two of his grandchildren – both Macky and now Cam. There’s not a better family, and there’s not a better representative of Syracuse than Coach Mac. I really look forward to honoring him on Saturday… can’t get rid of the MacPhersons and that’s a good thing."
... Nothing overly illuminating, of course, but it is good to see the team and staff has confidence in Dungey already. The Coach Mac note also provides a reminder about the Orange Out on Saturday, which should be a great first-look at SU's orange uniforms.
Full video below for your own viewing: