Syracuse (3-6, 1-4 Atlantic Coast) fell to North Carolina State (5-4, 1-4) 24-17 on Saturday in the Carrier Dome. Here are some quick mental murmurings.

North Carolina State is bad

But Syracuse is worse. The Wolfpack came into the Carrier Dome and ran plays quickly but ineffectively. SU’s offense just ran them slower and less effectively.

The Syracuse defense kept the Orange in the game and did it with relative ease, routinely pressuring Jacoby Brissett and blowing up the N.C. State backfield. There were eight punts in the first half alone.

But five of them were Riley Dixon’s.

There were bright spots, like AJ Long picking out Jarrod West down the left sideline or hitting Steve Ishmael on a timing route down the right. But there were too many penalties, stuffed run plays, sacks and turnovers for meaningful momentum to build.

The defense is unfair

SU’s defense didn’t give N.C. State much of a chance.

Syracuse’s defense flocked nine players to the ball to snuff out one Wolfpack screen pass and fire up the SU sideline and crowd. Dyshawn Davis even snagged an onside kick with 17 seconds remaining to reinvigorate what remained of the crowd. But they were all to be disappointed.

And while the false hope given to Orange fans isn’t fair, the job being asked of the Syracuse defense isn’t, either.

Freshmen, man

Zaire Franklin threatened to outshine his veteran fellow linebackers. The SU coaching staff left him on the field on crucial drives late in the game and with good reason.

Franklin had six tackles through three quarters and five of them were unassisted. The SU linebacking heir apparent more than looked the part on Saturday.

First-year wide receiver Steve Ishmael caught five passes for 63 yards and a touchdown, his third of the year.

Cole Murphy buried a 50-yard field goal with ease with 17 seconds left to give SU a fighting chance in the game and Juwan Dowels also got some snaps at cornerback.

Published on November 1, 2014 at 6:55 pm