Syracuse football opponents recap: Week 3

The Syracuse Orange improved to 3-0 on the season after beating the Florida State Seminoles, 30-7 on Saturday. It was an excellent win for SU and gets the Orange half way to the magic six-win mark.

Each week, we’ll be using this space to look at past and future foes on the 2018 schedule, and assess what’s ahead for the Orange. So how’d Syracuse’s opponents fare in week three? And how might that affect SU going forward?

Week 3

Western Michigan Broncos (1-2, 0-0)

Result: 68-0 win over Delaware State

WMU continued looking like more of a passing team than they were originally advertised as. The Broncos had 286 passing yards (almost all from QB Jon Wassink), but also added 241 on the ground. They were also aided by two punt return touchdowns and a couple fumble recoveries to power them to the win.

Wagner Seahawks (1-2, 0-0)

Result: 47-27 loss to Montana State

Montana State scored early and often against Wagner, then outscored them 17-3 in the second half to put the game away. Seahawks running back Ryan Fulse got back to his successful ways, picking up 181 yards and two scores on the ground. QB TJ Linta also had 208 passing yards. Wagner’s defense isn’t good, however.

Connecticut Huskies (1-2, 0-1)

Result: 56-49 win over Rhode Island

UConn managed to score 42 points in the first half, but still needed to fight off Rhody in the fourth quarter. Huksies’ QB David Pindell had 345 total yards and six scores (plus a pick). UConna also ran the ball well all day, picking up 265 on the ground. Now while it was URI, so you’d expect an FBS team to put up some bigger numbers, it’s still worth watching the fact that Connecticut can move the football pretty well.

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Clemson Tigers (3-0, 0-0)

Result: 38-7 win over Georgia Southern

Clemson doesn’t really have to put in much effort each Saturday, and coasted through another opponent this weekend. The Tigers scored 21 in the second quarter and that was pretty much the game. Clemson ran for 309 yards on the game, while Trevor Lawrence led the team in passing, with 194 yards and a touchdown. Clemson also collected five sacks.

Pittsburgh Panthers (2-1, 1-0)

Result: 24-19 win over Georgia Tech

Pitt didn’t look overly impressive against Georgia Tech, but did enough to take home a victory. The Panthers collected 138 yards and three TDs on the ground, and QB Kenny Pickett was fairly efficient, with 197 yards on 16 completions. Georgia Tech came back in the fourth, scoring 13 points, but Pitt held their ground even as the offense failed to find the end zone again.

North Carolina Tar Heels (0-2, 0-0)

Result: Game vs. UCF cancelled

N.C. State Wolfpack (2-0, 0-0)

Result: Game vs. West Virginia cancelled

Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-1, 0-1)

Result: 41-34 loss to Boston College

Despite the loss, Wake’s offense looked great yet again against BC. The Deacs’ Sam Hartman had 214 yards and two touchdowns (plus two INTs) through the air, but Wake’s run game led the way with 298 yards (including two different 100-yard rushers). They also returned a punt for a TD. The defense couldn’t stop the Eagles at all, however.

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Louisville Cardinals (2-1, 0-0)

Result: 20-17 win over Western Kentucky

‘Ville mailed it in yet again, down 14-6 versus WKU going into the fourth quarter before taking home the 20-17 victory. Jawon Pass battled turf toe all week, so was pretty limited in this game (0-for-3 passing). His backup, Malik Cunningham, didn’t do much passing with 88 yards, though did run for 129 yards on just 21 carries. QB controversy in the works?

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-0, N/A)

Result: 22-17 win over Vanderbilt

The Irish offense wasn’t great, but the defense managed to hold off a late Vandy surge led by the ‘Dores dynamic passing game. Notre Dame ran for 245 yards on the game, and threw for 135. Those numbers might not sound THAT bad, but it was a struggle to watch. Lucky for them, Justin Yoon was able to connect on three field goals.

Boston College Eagles (3-0, 1-0)

Result: 41-34 win over Wake Forest

AJ Dillon led the way with 186 yards on the ground (on 33 carries), but it was the surprising Boston College passing attack that was most notable for the Eagles. Anthony Brown was an impressive 16-of-25 for 304 yards and five scores — not at all the type of line you expect from a BC quarterback. The Eagles got quality pressure (four sacks), and also two picks. Defense has either taken a step back or Wake’s offense is incredibly good.

Week three opponent W-L: 7-3

2018 total W-L: 21-13