Orange to take on Central Michigan Chippewas Saturday

Syracuse looks to build on last season's 31-10 victory against the Chippewas in Mount Pleasant

 

 

For the second-straight season, Syracuse has begun the year with a 2-0 record. Much to its dismay, though, the Orange lost nine of its remaining 10 games last season. On Saturday afternoon against Central Michigan, ‘Cuse will be looking to exorcise those demons.

 

The Chippewas come to the Carrier Dome fresh off an impressive performance against Monmouth where they put the first 24 points on the board en route to a 31-10 victory. Central Michigan quarterback Cooper Rush had an outstanding game, going 25-for-36 with 328 yards, three touchdowns, one interception and a Quarterback Rate of 89.6. 

 

Rush hooked up with tight end Ben McCord for an 83-yard touchdown in the second quarter, capping the 24-0 run. McCord finished the game with two receptions and 100 yards. 

 

It was an inauspicious start for the Orange in front of its home crowd last weekend against Wake Forest. Freshman Eric Dungey, who was named the starting quarterback after Terell Hunt went down with a torn Achilles, was just 4-for-7 at halftime collecting just 35 yards.

 

The defense, though, did its job keeping the team afloat and then some, as the Orange scored 10 points off turnovers, including a 41-yard pick-six from Donnie Simmons. Dungey and the offense got on a roll in the second half to the tune of a 17-0 scoring run. In his first career start, Dungey finished with a respectable 8-for-13 performance with 221 yards and two touchdowns. 

 

Coincidentally, it was Week 3 last year when the Orange improved to 2-0 on the season and the victory came against Central Michigan in blowout fashion, 40-3. While Hunt wasn’t great throwing the football (20/30 for 175 yards and one TD), he had much more success using his legs; he was the Oranges’ second-leading rusher with 92 yards on 13 carries and three touchdowns. Overall, Syracuse won the battle on the ground 289-34. Dungey will have the task this season. 

 

Rush had a day he’d like to erase from his memory forever. He went 18-for-34 with 183 yards and a QBR of an 15.7. The Syracuse defense that held Central Michigan scoreless over the last 42:17 of the game, made its presence felt, sacking Rush three times. In fact, the defense outscored the entire Chippewas team 8-3 in the contest. 

 

This trip to the Carrier Dome is the first of a two-game road trip for Central Michigan. For Syracuse, it’s the third of four straight at home to begin the season. While it may be easy for both teams to overlook one another with LSU coming to Syracuse next weekend and the Chippewas going to Michigan State, it’s important for them to understand a victory is crucial.

 

Though it may be cliché, every single game matters. Central Michigan will be trying to avenge that embarrassing loss to Syracuse. The Orange simply has 3-0 on its mind.

 

 

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