Syracuse football stats: Comparing Week 1 defense to last year’s
Syracuse’s defense got off to a dominant start in 2015 by shutting out Rhode Island. While the Rams are a Division I-AA team coming off a 1-11 season and the Orange defense will face tougher competition the rest of the season, it was still a positive sign for SU.
Here’s a look at how Syracuse’s defensive numbers vs. URI compare to its season averages from 2014.
Points allowed:
Against Rhode Island: 0
2014 season average: 24.3
On Friday night, Syracuse accomplished something it didn’t do all of 2014: shut out an opponent. The closest the Orange came to a shutout last year was in its 40-3 win over Central Michigan.
First downs allowed:
Against Rhode Island: 2
2014 season average: 20
Rhode Island’s only true first down came late in the first quarter. Early in the third quarter, the Rams moved the chains thanks to a pass interference call against Syracuse.
Rushing yards allowed:
Against Rhode Island: 4
2014 season average: 139.3
At the end of the third quarter, SU had allowed zero rushing yards, a staggering stat especially considering URI’s quarterback, Paul Mroz, was making his first career start after transferring from JUCO.
Passing yards allowed:
Against Rhode Island: 60
2014 season average: 209.9
Turnovers:
Against Rhode Island: 4
2014 season average: 1.67
Opponent third-down conversion rate:
Against Rhode Island: 9.1 percent
2014 season average: 39.3 percent
Opponent time of possession:
Against Rhode Island: 19:46
2014 season average: 33:19
Opponent red-zone scoring rate:
Against Rhode Island: 0-for-0
2014 season: 31-of-40
