Fran Brown rules out Yasin Willis, Devin Grant vs. Colgate
Against Colgate on Friday, Syracuse starting running back Yasin Willis and starting safety Devin Grant won't play due to injuries. Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer
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Fran Brown ruled out Yasin Wilis and Devin Grant for Syracuse’s game against Colgate on Friday. Brown announced the news during an appearance on TK99’s Gomez and Company.
“We hope to get Devin Grant back and Yasin Willis,” Brown said. “Don’t think those guys will be playing in this game. There are a couple other guys banged up. We’ll try to get guys as healthy as possible for tomorrow night when we play against Colgate.”
Grant’s injury was already known. During SU’s Week 1 loss to Tennessee, the starting safety was rolled up on and didn’t return. He was held out of action during last week’s comeback win over UConn. Grant is one of the key pieces for the Orange’s defense, starting alongside Duce Chestnut.
Willis being banged up is a new development. The starting running back had 11 carries for 48 yards last Saturday and scored a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute of regulation. Willis is a focal point of SU’s offense. After a three-touchdown performance against then-No. 24 Tennessee, Brown dubbed him Syracuse’s “best offensive player” and vowed to get him more touches.
Without Willis, Will Nixon will presumably get the most carries Friday. Nixon has 18 rushes for 63 yards across SU’s first two games. The only other running back with a carry this season is Malachi James, who’s gotten just two touches. James could see more action against Colgate with Willis out.
As of now, there’s no timetable for either player to return, but their injuries don’t seem serious. The Orange have a showdown with No. 12 Clemson in less than 10 days, so Brown will want his team as healthy as possible for that matchup.
