Perhaps Eric Dungey should run a little bit less this year?

Since Eric Dungey took over as the Syracuse Orange’s starting quarterback in 2015, much ink has been spilled about how much he should or shouldn’t run the football.

For years, the QB and Dino Babers say he needs to run less — or at least smarter — but every season, he’s back to taking off and eventually ends up sidelined. This article won’t shed any new light on that situation, other than some numbers that prove it’s not just injuries that should motivate Dungey to run less.

SB Nation’s Bill Connelly looked at college football’s top rushers, both at the running back and quarterback positions, to see which players were the most efficient and explosive as ball-carriers. No Syracuse running back made the list, but Dungey was brought up among the quarterbacks in question; though he was not among the 19 players who wound up in the 50th percentile in terms of both efficiency and explosiveness.

Dungey failed to perform poorly in either category, though. Excluding sacks, he carried 117 times for 749 yards and nine scores. His marginal efficiency rate was 4.3% (39th overall), while his marginal explosiveness was -0.01 (22nd overall). Plenty of quality QBs finished similarly, but most also chose their spots. We know Dungey has breakaway ability. Conserving him as a runner could yield just as many of those gains, just in fewer attempts.

The rest of your Syracuse-related links below:

Myles Gaskin, J.K. Dobbins among most well-rounded college running backs in 2018 (Football Study Hall)

For each play, there is a bar established for expected efficiency and explosiveness based on down, distance, and yard line. From there, we can compare team or individual success to an interesting baseline. Once again, the idea is to explore efficiency and explosiveness, using my two primary tools (success rate and IsoPPP) and applying adjustments based on expectation.

Syracuse football’s injuries piling up with RB Dontae Strickland, TE Ravian Pierce out (Syracuse.com)

Senior running back Dontae Strickland, who was not at practice, and senior tight end Ravian Pierce joined junior strong safety Evan Foster and junior defensive end Kendall Coleman (apparent knee) as non-participants. Foster has been out since Saturday while Coleman has missed the last week-and-a-half.

Duke, UNC are the headliners, but ACC’s supporting cast runs deep (ESPN)

4. How high is Syracuse’s ceiling? Late in the season, Syracuse looked poised to miss the NCAA tournament for a third time in four years. But the Orange were surprisingly announced on Selection Sunday, and they proceeded to make a run to the Sweet 16 before losing to Duke. And now everyone is back for Jim Boeheim,

John Wildhack “On the Block” 8-13 (ESPNSyracuse)

Syracuse Athletic Director John Wildhack joins Brent “On The Block” to talk about the upcoming football season, the ACC Network and more.

College football ‘18: Six players starring for losing teams (AP)

Eric Dungey, QB, Syracuse: Dungey has been starting for the Orange since his freshman season. The problem is he has not been finishing the seasons healthy. When healthy, Dungey is a two-way threat with athleticism and size (6-4, 228) that could draw NFL attention. He enters 2018 as the only active quarterback in FBS with at least 6,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing.

Darius Bazley may not play competitive basketball again until next spring/summer (Twitter)

Anonymous SU alumnus donates $1 million to help students with financial burdens (Daily Orange)

2019 NFL Draft prospects — top 5 at every position (Pro Football Focus)

2018 ACC preview & predictions (Shakin’ the Southland)

Report: Broncos sign safety Shamarko Thomas (Mile High Report)

Florida State opponent previews: Syracuse (Tallahassee Democrat)