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One of the Syracuse Orange’s biggest questions entering spring practice in March was set to be the status of quarterback Eric Dungey. Well, wonder no more.
SU coach Dino Babers shared today that the senior has the green light and he’s ready to go for spring practice this year.
That’s a relief for many. Not because there was concern that Dungey would recover from his offseason foot surgery. But mostly because he’ll need to get acclimated to some new receiving targets within this offensive system.
While Babers’s system has led to some breakout performances over the past two years, Dungey has relied pretty heavily on his top options. In 2016, he leaned on Amba Etta-Tawo and Ervin Philips. This past year, it was Erv again plus all-conference wideout Steve Ishmael. Both players are gone for 2018, however.
The new depth chart probably calls for increased involved for tight end Ravian Pierce, and a heavy dose of players like Devin C. Butler and Sean Riley, among others. Those players all contributed in 2017. It’s just they’re going to need more time to grow their respective rapports with Dungey.
Which is why it’s such a relief he’ll be participating in spring practice this year, as he has the previous three springs as well. His rapport with receivers like Etta-Tawo and Ishmael is what’s made the fall go so smoothly in the passing game (at least early on). Being able to replicate that sort of success yet again with one of the remaining players is ideal.
Along with the obvious goals of staying healthy and making a bowl game, Dungey also has quite a few records to potentially break for 2018. He’s in fourth on the all-time passing yards list at SU, but could surpass Ryan Nassib with a full season. The career touchdowns record is mostly out of reach (he’d need 37 to tie), but he could still move up to third. He’s also pretty high up on the school’s career total offensive yardage list.
Glad to see you back healthy and on the field, Eric. Hopefully the line helps you out this year and you’re able to run a little bit less than past seasons. We’d very much like to see a full campaign from you before you leave Syracuse.