Photo by: Charles Wainwright
Sunday Sidebar: Backs Make Plays in Passing Game
10/11/2015 2:22:00 PM | Football
Running backs and hybrids combine for 10 catches at USF
TAMPA, Fla. – It's no secret that Syracuse offensive coordinator Tim Lester likes to spread the ball around. That's especially true in the passing game where the Orange's running backs and hybrids accounted for 10 of the Orange's 21 receptions in the team's 45-24 loss to USF on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Raymond James Stadium.
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Ervin Philips (5), Jordan Fredericks (2), Ben Lewis (2) and Dontae Strickland (1) all made catches against the Bulls, as quarterback Eric Dungey completed a career-high 21 passes. The quartet combined for 146 receiving yards, 62.9 percent of the team's total (232).
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Philips, who missed three games with a knee injury, was back in the lineup for the first time since the opener against Rhode Island. His five receptions against the Bulls matched Steve Ishmael for team-high honors. Philips also paced the SU receiving corps with a career-best 75 yards in the contest.
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"We were able to find some places in the pass game to let him catch it and just get comfortable," Lester said. "I didn't think he was rusty."
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One of those opportunities was on Syracuse's second drive of the third quarter. On first-and-10 from the SU 31, Dungey found Philips for a 29-yard gain down to the USF 40-yard line. Shortly thereafter, the Orange was in the end zone for the first time courtesy of a dazzling 30-yard catch and run by Fredericks.
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Fredericks, the 2014 Gatorade Player of the Year in New York, became a safety valve for Dungey when the Orange signal caller rolled to the left. Dungey eventually threw back across the grain to Fredericks, who dodged two would-be tacklers and spun around another, before bursting into the end zone.
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Not bad for your first career catch.
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"That was sick," Philips said of the play. "It should definitely be on ESPN."
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Saturday wasn't the only time the Orange hybrids and running backs have made plays through the air. For the season, Philips and Strickland are both tied for the team lead with two TD receptions, and Lewis is the Orange's second-leading receiver with 10 catches.
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The Orange backs look to continue their productivity when Syracuse resumes Atlantic Coast Conference play on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Virginia. Kickoff between the Orange and Cavaliers is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Scott Stadium. The game will air live on RSN.
For complete coverage of Syracuse and Syracuse football, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange & Syracuse Football), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and watch exclusive video content on Cuse TV.
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Ervin Philips (5), Jordan Fredericks (2), Ben Lewis (2) and Dontae Strickland (1) all made catches against the Bulls, as quarterback Eric Dungey completed a career-high 21 passes. The quartet combined for 146 receiving yards, 62.9 percent of the team's total (232).
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Philips, who missed three games with a knee injury, was back in the lineup for the first time since the opener against Rhode Island. His five receptions against the Bulls matched Steve Ishmael for team-high honors. Philips also paced the SU receiving corps with a career-best 75 yards in the contest.
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"We were able to find some places in the pass game to let him catch it and just get comfortable," Lester said. "I didn't think he was rusty."
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One of those opportunities was on Syracuse's second drive of the third quarter. On first-and-10 from the SU 31, Dungey found Philips for a 29-yard gain down to the USF 40-yard line. Shortly thereafter, the Orange was in the end zone for the first time courtesy of a dazzling 30-yard catch and run by Fredericks.
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Fredericks, the 2014 Gatorade Player of the Year in New York, became a safety valve for Dungey when the Orange signal caller rolled to the left. Dungey eventually threw back across the grain to Fredericks, who dodged two would-be tacklers and spun around another, before bursting into the end zone.
Â
Not bad for your first career catch.
Â
"That was sick," Philips said of the play. "It should definitely be on ESPN."
Â
Saturday wasn't the only time the Orange hybrids and running backs have made plays through the air. For the season, Philips and Strickland are both tied for the team lead with two TD receptions, and Lewis is the Orange's second-leading receiver with 10 catches.
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The Orange backs look to continue their productivity when Syracuse resumes Atlantic Coast Conference play on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Virginia. Kickoff between the Orange and Cavaliers is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Scott Stadium. The game will air live on RSN.
For complete coverage of Syracuse and Syracuse football, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange & Syracuse Football), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and watch exclusive video content on Cuse TV.
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