Observations from Syracuse’s 1st 4 games: Collins manages, secondary improves
After four games, Syracuse football has produced a mixed bag of results as it enters the heat of conference play. Lars Jendruschewitz | Senior Staff Photographer
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Syracuse has officially played a third of its season. Through four games, the Orange are a tough team to gauge.
They showed positives in their 19-point loss to Tennessee in Week 1, but followed it with a confusing, near-disastrous win against UConn. After a blowout over Colgate, SU pulled off its biggest road win under Fran Brown, defeating Clemson 34-21.
The Orange’s win in Death Valley completely reshaped expectations for Brown’s second season at the helm. Even with starting quarterback Steve Angeli tearing his Achilles, Syracuse is positioned to be a top team in the Atlantic Coast Conference for the second straight year.
Now, the Orange head into the heart of conference play. While three road matchups against ranked opponents lie ahead, the next month features plenty of winnable games.
Here are four observations from Syracuse’s (3-1, 1-0 ACC) season so far:
Collins takes over for Angeli
Angeli was playing at an elite level through three-and-a-half games. He totaled 1,316 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning an 87.0 grade from Pro Football Focus. Then, his season came to an abrupt end when he suffered a torn Achilles in the third quarter of SU’s win over Clemson.
“That’s the point of getting two quarterbacks,” Brown said postgame.
The second-year head coach was alluding to Angeli’s replacement, Rickie Collins. After transferring from LSU in December, Collins was named the Orange’s starter following the Spring Game in April. But Angeli soon came into the fold and beat him out in fall training camp.
With Angeli sidelined, Collins received a quarter-and-a-half against Clemson to display his abilities as a signal caller. He wasn’t asked to carry a large burden, only throwing eight passes — recording a touchdown on his second attempt — while Syracuse shifted to a run-heavy approach as it focused on killing the clock.
Collins won’t have the luxury of protecting a 20-point lead going forward.
Though even without Angeli, Syracuse has the weapons for Collins to thrive and maintain its explosive offense. Johntay Cook II is a dynamic slot receiver who can carve out yards after the catch. On the outside, Darrell Gill Jr. and Justus Ross-Simmons have displayed elite jump-ball ability, which is an advantage for Collins.
Syracuse’s biggest question mark is whether it can keep Collins upright. After struggling through its first three games, SU’s offensive line had its best game of the season against the Tigers. Though SU received a season-low 40.8 pass-block and 51.1 run-block grade, per PFF, the numbers don’t tell the whole story. The Orange gave Angeli and Collins enough time to survey the field. And despite facing arguably the best defensive line in the country, SU didn’t look overmatched.
That needs to continue with Collins. Not only to operate at an elite level, but also to keep its quarterback healthy. If Collins were to go down, true freshman Luke Carney or redshirt freshman Jakhari Williams would have to step in. That’s far from an ideal scenario.
Special teams gives a boost
One of the biggest questions for Syracuse before the season was whether it could be productive on special teams. So far, SU’s special teams unit has been solid under new special teams coordinator Ricky Brumfield.
SU’s marquee special teams play of the year came Saturday, when Jadyn Oh successfully executed an onside kick in the first quarter. Brown said Brumfield put the onside kick in the game plan early in the week, and the rest of the special teams staff pestered Brown about when they would use it. He revealed they’d do it “whenever they felt the time was right,” and Brown went for a hammer blow early on.
While Oh has shone on kickoffs, often booming the ball out past the end zone, Tripp Woody’s performances have also been a bright spot. The Iowa transfer is 5-for-6 on field goals this season, including a 49-yarder in rainy conditions in Death Valley. It was the longest field goal by an SU kicker since Andre Szmyt’s 54-yarder on Oct. 29, 2022.
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Jack Stonehouse — one of the lone positives from special teams last season — has continued to show off his strong leg. He’s increased his average net punt yards by nearly four yards at 49.6, ensuring Syracuse’s defense hasn’t faced short-field situations.
Under Brumfield’s guidance, Syracuse’s special teams looks a lot cleaner. Last season, James Vollono’s group constantly seemed disorganized, an issue that nearly cost the Orange multiple games. While it’s still early, the improvement is definitely noticeable.
Secondary improving
Demetres Samuel Jr. and Chris Peal have emerged as a formidable cornerback duo through four games. Per PFF, they have 74.5 and 74.2 defensive grades, the eighth and ninth-best marks in the ACC, respectively.
Samuel — who should be a senior in high school — was set back in SU’s loss to Tennessee. The Volunteers targeted the 17-year-old multiple times, including for a 73-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Brown said postgame that “it was good for him,” and he was “excited about the future.”
Since then, Samuel has proved he can be a lockdown cornerback. According to PFF, he leads the Orange with seven pass breakups, while Peal has two.
The Georgia transfer has provided SU with stability in the secondary. Though Peal only appeared in four games in Athens, the Bulldogs’ program — where he was also coached by Brown — clearly prepared him to step into a larger role.
On the backend, Duce Chestnut and Devin Grant are the backbone of SU’s defense. Grant missed two games in a row before exploding against Clemson. Chestnut only played five snaps against the Tigers due to an injury, but he’s one of Syracuse’s most experienced players. When Grant and Chestnut get fully healthy, Syracuse’s defense will be at its best.
New pass rushing wrinkles
It’s no secret Syracuse has struggled to rush the passer this season, ranking dead last in the ACC with just four sacks. The Orange’s blowout win over Colgate was their only time recording multiple sacks in a game, and even then, they only finished with two. Syracuse’s secondary has played well, but it can be vulnerable if it’s unable to pressure the quarterback.
That’s why SU’s defensive tactics against Clemson were significant. Defensive coordinator Elijah Robinson brought increased pressure through delayed blitzes. Robinson tried to catch Clemson off guard by bringing players like Grant closer to the line of scrimmage. As a result, Grant recorded a team-high 10 tackles and flushed Cade Klubnik out of the pocket numerous times.
Safety Braheem Long tallied Syracuse’s lone sack, but there were plenty of other chances to bring Clemson’s passer to the ground. A couple more sure-handed tackles, and Klubnik might’ve been sacked three times. Granted, Klubnik threw a career-high 60 times, which gave SU plenty of chances to get home.
That’s an encouraging sign for Brown and Robinson. Exotic blitzes are the way to go for Syracuse. Individually, along the defensive line, the Orange don’t have the talent to consistently reach the quarterback. Eight-year senior David Reese hasn’t been a consistent threat, while Kevin Jobity and Denis Jaquez lack the juice to disrupt quarterbacks.
However, with the right play calls, Syracuse can improve its sack production. Bringing pressure from the second level will be key if SU’s defensive line continues to struggle.
