Orange grades: Pass rush reverts, Collins improves slightly in loss to GT
Syracuse’s pass rush regressed from last week's seven-sack performance, while Rickie Collins found a second-half groove too late. Joe Zhao | Senior Staff Photographer
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ATLANTA — Syracuse dropped its fourth-straight game Saturday, falling to No. 7 Georgia Tech on the road. The Orange jumped out to an early 3-0 lead before allowing 20 unanswered points, leading to their blowout defeat.
Here are position-group grades for Syracuse’s 41-16 loss to No. 7 Georgia Tech:
Quarterback: C+
Rickie Collins didn’t throw an interception against the Yellow Jackets. He also didn’t play poorly enough to force true freshman Luke Carney into the game. The redshirt sophomore is undoubtedly taking steps in the right direction.
It still wasn’t nearly good enough, however. Collins was rarely used in the first half, throwing the ball just six times for 24 yards. He found a groove in the second half with two big plays, but he missed a touchdown opportunity to Johntay Cook II in the process.
Collins fumbled once and took two big sacks, though he used his legs effectively to meander for 41 rushing yards. It’s clear Collins isn’t ready yet. Georgia Tech was his most difficult opponent to date, and although he continued to show some improvement, there’s still a way to go.
Running back: B-
Yasin Willis’ opening run looked like a glimmer of hope for a breakout. On the first play of the game, Willis burst through the middle of Georgia Tech’s defense for a 41-yard rush down to the one-yard line. But he rushed for only 35 yards the rest of the way.
Will Nixon was largely a non-factor in this one, while true freshman Tylik Hill added some flavor to the backfield. Facing the Yellow Jackets gave the Orange a prime opportunity against the ACC’s worst rushing defense, but they really couldn’t do anything special on the ground.
Willis’ opening play bolstered his numbers, as he rushed for 7.6 yards per carry. But SU definitely left some food on the table.
Receiver/Tight End: B
It remains difficult to judge SU’s receiving corps post-Steve Angeli injury. The unit went from receiving regular “You Got Mossed” segments to fighting for receptions. Against GT, the latter trend continued once again.
Justus Ross-Simmons and Johntay Cook II each had zero first-half receptions. Darrell Gill Jr. finished with a stat line of five receptions for 79 yards and a score, but most of his production came late in garbage time. Tight end Dan Villari also finished with one catch.
SU did mix in some young talent, with Emanuel Ross and Darien “Boobie” Johnson receiving snaps. The duo could just be the future of the unit. Though in the present, there’s not much anyone in the room can do right now.
Offensive line: C+
Syracuse was again without starting center Austin Collins. Joshua Miller filled his role and received a 76.2 pass blocking grade per Pro Football Focus — the highest among SU’s offensive linemen.
The Orange kept their tackles Da’Metrius Weatherspoon and Trevion Mack in for every offensive snap. At right guard, true freshman Byron Washington saw an increased workload with 31 snaps. Yet no matter the combination, SU’s offense couldn’t get enough push to break through in the running game following Willis’ big first play.
The unit kept Collins largely afloat, as he only took two sacks and, at times, ran into pressure himself. The return of SU’s starting center could help it finally turn the corner in the running game, alleviating some of the pressure on Collins.
Defensive line: C-
With Rashard Perry out for the season, SU’s defensive line is still attempting to fill in the pieces at this point. George Rooks Jr. came in and out of the game multiple times, while the absences freed up playing time for true freshmen like Nissi Ogbebor and Nathan Nyandoro.
Entering Saturday, the Yellow Jackets had only allowed three sacks on quarterback Haynes King all season. They continued to protect their passer, despite Kevin Jobity Jr. getting home for a sack. Syracuse recorded a season-high seven sacks the week prior versus Pitt, but couldn’t carry that momentum into Atlanta.
King pranced around freely for most of the game as SU’s pass rushers grew tired. Instead of a turning of the corner, the unit’s performance against Pitt now appears to be more of a one-off.
Linebackers: C
The run-pass option is designed to test the eyes of a linebacker, manipulating any false movement for a positive play. With King’s proficiency as both a runner and passer, SU’s linebackers were put to the test. King repeatedly won the battle.
Gary Bryant III missed a large portion of the game due to an injury, slotting Zyian Moultrie-Goddard into the lineup to pair with true freshman Antoine Deslauriers. Moultrie-Goddard recorded four tackles and Deslauriers tied for the team lead with seven tackles.
The long-term loss of Bryant — Syracuse’s leading tackler — would be monumental. Veteran leader Derek McDonald is already out for the season. How much more can this unit take?
Secondary: B-
Cornerback Chris Peal started the game with a bang, stripping the ball from Isiah Canion on the second play of the game. That was the biggest play of many for Peal and the defensive backs.
Five players on the unit recorded four or more tackles, with Peal, Braheem Long Jr., Duce Chestnut and Cornell Perry tallying seven each. The Orange didn’t allow a passing touchdown against the Panthers last week but gave up three to King, with tight end Josh Beetham scoring twice.
The defensive backs’ tackling was impressive. But with the way the entire team is playing, the unit needs to create more turnovers to flip momentum.
Special teams: B
There’s not too much to judge here for the Orange. As special teams coordinator Ricky Brumfield faced off against his old team, SU didn’t take many shots. There was no miraculous onside kick or big-time play. It was simply a matter of fundamentals.
Punter Jack Stonehouse impressed again with four punts at an average of 45 yards each and a long of 57. One of his punts was nearly perfect to the one-yard line. However, Ethan Stangle just missed saving the ball from a touchback, and a 15-yard penalty suddenly gave GT the ball at its 35-yard line instead.
This wasn’t SU’s cleanest game. But special teams is certainly not the reason it lost.
Coaching: B-
An odd phenomenon surrounds Syracuse. The Orange came out with fire in the first half, forcing a turnover and breaking off a big run. Out of halftime, SU again took the field with energy, breaking off two long passing plays for a touchdown score. It’s hard to know exactly what Brown is telling his team right before they take the field. Syracuse, however, struggles to keep this momentum going.
SU’s offense found a groove in the second half, but it was far too late. Its defense played well from time to time, but was on the field far too long to consistently compete.
Where the Orange’s coaches succeeded was in getting playing time for its underclassmen and many true freshmen. The experience of playing a top-10 team could be critical for future development.
