Why is the Syracuse blitz still struggling to get to opposing quarterbacks?

You may have noticed that over the last couple years, the Syracuse Orange football team hasn’t had much of a blitz to speak of.

The Daily Orange spoke primarily to defensive end Kendall Coleman about how that trend seems to have continued in game one of this season against Western Michigan. SU managed just one sack on Friday night — tied for the lowest figure in the country through one week.

Talking with various members of the D-line, the D.O. found that WMU was able to slow them down with explosive blocking at the line and just bigger bodies (the likes of which Syracuse will see plenty more of in ACC play). Stopping pressure gave Jon Wassink all the time in the world to throw, and that’s in part what led to the bigger passing plays ravaging the secondary.

Hoping this is something that’s fixed before Florida State — though at least the ‘Noles have a struggling offensive line as well to test out some new looks on.

That and more of your Syracuse-related links below:

Times and Networks Revealed for the 2018 ACC/Big Ten Challenge (TheACC.com)

Highlighting this year’s Challenge are two potential top-25 matchups - No. 8 North Carolina facing No. 17 Michigan and No. 25 Purdue playing No. 18 Florida State – as well as a freshman showdown between Indiana and No. 2 Duke, reigning ACC champion No. 7 Virginia facing Maryland, No. 16 Syracuse visiting Ohio State and No. 9 Michigan State playing Louisville.

Syracuse is still struggling to pressure the quarterback (Daily Orange)

“(We) kind of stalled out, a little bit,” Coleman said. “And that resulted in a lot of points being put on the board. We obviously could’ve handled that up front … Could’ve and should’ve.” Syracuse’s difficulties getting to quarterbacks last season hurt the defense. With 17 sacks last season, SU ranked 113th (out of 129) in total sacks and 110th in sack percentage, reaching the quarterback on 4.07 percent of plays.

Koda Martin’s path to Syracuse football: Hokahey, heat-stroke, Dino Babers’ basement (Syracuse.com)

What it means to us is be unselfish,” Koda Martin said in a quiet moment Tuesday evening after meeting with reporters for the first time as a member of the Orange. ”What it meant to the Sioux Lakota Indian tribe was that today’s a great day to die for my brothers. It was a war cry. It was saying I’m willing to lay my life on the line to die for my brothers.

Syracuse basketball center Paschal Chukwu could apply for 6th season if he wants (Syracuse.com)

A successful medical hardship waiver would essentially wipe a season from Chukwu’s college basketball timeline. He would then use five years to complete four full seasons of college basketball, including what the NCAA terms its “year in residency” -- the season Chukwu sat out after transferring.

Syracuse football DB Antwan Cordy granted 2nd medical hardship waiver from NCAA (Syracuse.com)

For Cordy, the possibility of playing a sixth season isn’t something he has heavily considered. A pair of infections that delayed his rehabilitation this offseason took his whole attention, and up until this point, he’s viewed the 2018 season as his final one. ”This is my last time,” Cordy said during camp. “This is my last chance. So I’m just going to put everything on the line this year.”

Syracuse football DBs Andre Cisco, Trill Williams reflect on college debuts (Syracuse.com)

After Tommy DeVito’s debut, how does Syracuse QB stack up with Elite 11 peers? (Syracuse.com)

Projecting top 10 defenses in 2018-19 (ESPN Insider)

From failure in Sweden to ‘moments of magic,’ inside Jonathan Hagman’s journey to Syracuse (Daily Orange)

Sterling Lowry, a Wagner cornerback and Nottingham grad, returns to Syracuse (Daily Orange)

SU offensive line plays the most ‘unathletic’ game of football you’ll ever see (Daily Orange)

ESPN Announces Unprecedented 20-Hour Film “Basketball: A Love Story” (ESPN Media Zone)