Syracuse football opponents recap: Week 3

The Syracuse Orange football team picked up another loss in week three — but they’re far from the only team to do so.

Here’s a glance at the Orange’s opponents for 2019, and how they fared last week — just in case you’re looking ahead at the rest of Syracuse’s schedule at all.

Liberty Flames (1-2, N/A)

Result: 35-17 win over Buffalo

Head coach Hugh Freeze won his first game of the 2019 season, taking down Buffalo at Williams Stadium on Saturday night. Senior quarterback Stephen Calvert and receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden were on the same wavelength all day, with Gandy-Golden hauling in eight receptions for 174 yards and two touchdowns while Calvert threw for 325 and four scores. Next up is another home game for the Flames, as they host the Hampton Pirates next Saturday.

Maryland Terrapins (2-1, 0-0)

Result: 20-17 loss at Temple

After creeping into the top-25 following their victory over the Orange, Maryland will likely drop back out of the national ranking after their three-point loss on the road to the Owls. Maryland only completed 41 percent of its passes and averaged just 3.5 yards per rush, while the defense allowed three touchdowns through the air on 277 yards.

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

Result: 57-10 win vs. Georgia State

The Broncos — just one week after surrendering 51 points to Michigan State — put up 57 of their own to get back to a wining record in Waldo Stadium. Western Michigan put up seven rushing touchdowns on nearly 700 yards of total offense. Senior LeVante Bellamy led the pack with 192 carries and three touchdowns, while freshman Sean Tyler had a 138-yard game with two scores.

Holy Cross Crusaders (1-1, 0-0)

Result: Bye

After a narrow victory the week prior, the Crusaders were rewarded with a bye. Next up is a road battle against Yale.

N.C. State Wolfpack (2-1, 0-0)

Result: 44-27 loss at West Virginia

The Wolfpack were handed their first loss of the season this past weekend in their first road bout after breezing past their first two opponents at Carter-Finley Stadium. There wasn’t a whole lot to be upset about they way they played: They won the time-of-possession battle, held the Mountaineer offense to 3-of-11 on third down, won the turnover battle and also converted on all four of their red-zone opportunities. Next up for the Wolfpack is another home affair; this time against Ball State.

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Pittsburgh Panthers (1-2, 0-1)

Result: 17-10 defeat against No. 13 Penn State

Pitt also hit the road for the first time this season and, just like NC State, were handed a loss. Penn State boasts one of the more complete rosters in college football and Pitt’s defense gave them all they could in this low-scoring affair. The two teams headed into the break at 10 points apiece, but a 13-yard rushing touchdown from freshman Noah Cain in the third quarter was the final piece of the puzzle as the Nittany Lions escaped unscathed.

Florida State Seminoles (1-2, 0-1)

Result: 31-24 loss at Virginia

Just six years ago these two programs were in completely opposite positions — with Florida State winning the national championship and the Cavaliers finishing the year at 2-10. The Virginia faithful stormed their home turf after scoring 21 fourth-quarter points to erase a 17-10 deficit. The Seminoles won the turnover battle with two interceptions and held their own throughout the majority of the contest, but the Cavaliers held the ball for nearly 18 minutes and 30 seconds — keeping sophomore quarterback James Blackmon and Co.’s impact limited down the wire.

Boston College Eagles (2-1, 1-0)

Result: 48-24 defeat vs. Kansas

Boston College ended its three-game homestand by having its score doubled by the visiting Jayhawks from Kansas. The Eagles averaged only 5.3 yards per passing attempt and had 20 combined incompletions from quarterbacks Anthony Brown and Dennis Grosel, and failed to score any points on two of their five red-zone chances — one occurring on a missed field goal. Boston College will next travel to Rutgers next Saturday.

Duke Blue Devils (2-1, 0-0)

Result: 41-18 win at Middle Tennessee

Two consecutive 40-point games have this Blue Devil offense humming, as Duke has outscored their last two opponents 86-31. Redshirt senior quarterback Quentin Harris carried the offense to 31 first-half points, and finished the day with 247 yards and four touchdowns. Senior safety Dylan Singleton and senior linebacker Koby Quansah led the defense with eight total tackles each.

Louisville Cardinals (2-1, 0-0)

Result: 38-21 win over Western Kentucky

Make it two in a row for head coach Scott Satterfield and his Cardinals squad, as they’ve now covered the state of Kentucky with wins over the Eastern and Western units. Louisville outgained the Hilltoppers 210-43 on the ground, behind 93 yards and a touchdown from redshirt freshman Javian Hawkins. Sophomore wideout Chatarius Atwell led the aerial attack with four catches for 141 yards and three touchdowns.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-0, 0-0)

Result: 24-18 win vs. North Carolina

The Demon Deacons join Clemson as the only 3-0 teams on Syracuse’s schedule with a narrow win at home against Mack Brown and the Tar Heels. Wake Forest churned out 222 yards on the ground, with 94 belonging to freshman Kenneth Walker III. Redshirt senior linebacker Justin Strnad was all over the field for the defense, notching 15 total tackles and a sack.

Week 2 opponent W-L: 5-5

2019 total W-L: 21-13