A more potent run game could jolt Syracuse’s stagnant offense
Syracuse’s offense has only averaged 12 points over the last five games. Increasing carries for backs Yasin Willis and Will Nixon could solve its offensive struggles. Lars Jendruschewitz | Senior Staff Photographer
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Syracuse’s offense is in a rut. Before Steve Angeli suffered a season-ending injury, the Orange possessed one of the best offenses in the country for a second straight season. More importantly, they had an identity: Throw the ball downfield. It was a continuation of Kyle McCord’s accomplishments a year ago. But over the past month, SU has gone mute.
That was evident with Fran Brown throwing walk-on Joe Filardi into the fire against North Carolina. The experiment didn’t work. The Orange finished with under 20 points for the fifth consecutive game — lowering their scoring average over the last five games to 12 points — and failed to post an offensive touchdown for the second time this year.
A simple solution to Syracuse’s problems would be to develop a solid run game. Yet it hasn’t been consistent enough to fall back on. Still, with an inability to pass the ball, SU might not have a choice.
“We’re a better offense when we’re balanced, especially with a young quarterback,” SU offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon told The Daily Orange on Oct. 27. “We’ve got to make sure that we put (our quarterbacks) in the best situation, especially on third down. And running the ball really helps that.”
Syracuse is statistically having a better rushing year than last season. SU has averaged 112.9 yards per game this season, a measurable improvement from its 97.6 yards a year ago. However, that’s only boosted it from the third-worst mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference to the fifth-worst.
Syracuse’s running back room doesn’t lack talent. Yasin Willis has the makings of a workhorse back, while Will Nixon is a solid backup. The problem is establishing the run game in the correct scenarios.
Running the ball works best when you’re winning or in tight games. But Syracuse has led twice since Sept. 20 for a total of 29:56 — 71% of which came last week — and lost those games by an average of 21.4 points.
Syracuse has had chances to jump ahead early, but it’s floundered. SU ran the ball 10 times on its opening drive versus SMU, reaching the goal line. Willis then got stuffed on third-and-goal before Rickie Collins couldn’t punch it in on the ensuing play.
Against Georgia Tech, Willis set SU up with a goal-to-go situation after a 41-yard rush on its first offensive possession. False starts and offside penalties pushed the Orange back, and they settled for a field goal.
“We’ve got to continue to protect the ball,” Jeff said. “No turnovers, penalties and then just missed assignments. Those are things that contribute to losing football. So we’ve got to cut those things out and just continue to play good, solid football.”
Nobody is saying Syracuse would’ve won those games, but gaining an early lead would’ve helped. It’s led to frustration from Willis. He knows plays that previously worked are failing. Willis feels the burden falls on him to ensure that doesn’t continue.
Yasin Willis runs the ball in SU’s contest against Pittsburgh on Oct. 18. Willis currently leads the Orange with 490 rushing yards. Joe Zhao | Senior Staff Photographer
The sophomore talked about keeping a clear vision and making the right reads to increase efficiency. He beats himself up when he sees a missed opportunity on film alongside Jeff, Will and running backs coach Devin Redd.
“I know I can do it. Maybe sometimes I have a mental error when I’m tired. And those are things that you’ve got to surpass,” Willis said. “Even when you’re tired, you’ve got to know how to still think. That’s one of the biggest things for me, just making sure my mind stays strong even when I’m tired in the game.”
Willis had 23 carries, 91 yards and three touchdowns in Syracuse’s season-opening loss to then-No. 24 Tennessee. Postgame, Brown said Syracuse needs to “get Willis the ball more,” labeling him as its “best offensive player.”
Jeff thinks Willis is a player who deserves 20-25 carries per game. That vision hasn’t come to fruition. Willis’ largest workload since SU’s first game was 18 carries. He’s also yet to record rushing 100 yards in a contest.
With an extensive resume, working with running backs like LeSean McCoy, Reggie Bush, Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley, Jeff knows the best players get you over the hump in the fourth quarter.
“We got to that point where we’re playing good football early, so when we’re in a close game or we’re winning, we can run the clock, run the ball and be able to give (Willis) the ball a little bit more,” Jeff said.
In 2024, Brown often referred to LeQuint Allen Jr. as the heart of Syracuse’s offense. McCord stole the show with his nation-leading 4,779 total passing yards, yet Allen’s second-straight 1,000-yard season gave SU’s air-raid offense a safety valve.
The Orange ranked fifth in the country in time of possession last year (32:59), per Teamrankings.com. In 2025, they’ve dropped to 90th (29:17), signaling an inability to string together drives. Jeff said the more first downs SU gets, the more it can run the football. With his offense converting just 31.03% of its third downs — the nation’s 13th-worst mark — that’s simply not happening enough.
Running the ball comes down to situational football, per Jeff, but Syracuse has frequently been in third-and-long situations, forcing it to pass. It puts pressure on Collins, who’s thrown more interceptions (eight) than passing touchdowns (six). As a result, the Orange haven’t scored more than 18 points since defeating Clemson.
Brown has experimented, implementing Luke Carney into the lineup for three drives against Pittsburgh and starting Filardi last weekend. Nothing worked. The passing attack was nonexistent. SU did rush for 113 yards after recording 157 the week prior. Nevertheless, it didn’t lead to winning football.
Still, Brown doesn’t want to abandon the run game. To him, it’s a game of trial and error.
“Just keep trying it. Just keep running,” Brown said on Oct. 20. “One will bust eventually, and once it busts, another one will come. Just going for three yards and a cloud of dust.”
Rushing improvements are contingent on Syracuse’s offensive line. The unit has a 59.9 run blocking grade, per Pro Football Focus, which ranks 77th in the country. Center Austin Collins (67.2) and right tackle Da’Metrius Weatherspoon (71.5) are the Orange’s best run blockers, yet the rest of the line remains a question.
“We felt we had some depth going into the season at offensive line,” Jeff said. “And thank goodness, because you know some of those guys who were second, third string, are in the lineup starting, or at least in the rotation.”
Challenges await Syracuse in its next two contests with road trips to No. 18 Miami and No. 10 Notre Dame. Per PFF, the Hurricanes (92.9) and Fighting Irish (91.7) have the country’s eighth and 20th-best run defenses, respectively.
Running the ball will be a challenge. But at this point, it might be the only answer to the Orange’s ongoing problems.
