Photo by: Charles Wainwright
Sunday Sidebar: Young Defenders Take Steps Forward
11/8/2015 10:17:00 AM | Football
Hudson, Whitner and Clark shine against Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A trio of first-year Syracuse defenders had their most productive games of the season in the Orange's 41-17 loss at Louisville on Saturday, Nov. 7.
True freshman Kielan Whitner and redshirt freshman Cordell Hudson both set personal bests for tackles, while rookie Steven Clark finished one shy of his career high. All three played key roles in helping the Orange defense match its season high with four takeaways.
Hudson and Whitner led the Orange with nine tackles apiece, while Clark made three stops. Hudson intercepted his first career pass to set up a first-quarter SU touchdown. Whitner forced the first fumble of his career in the fourth quarter (which was recovered by Clark) and broke up a pass. Clark had another fumble recovery earlier in the game and became the first Syracuse player since Arthur Jones versus USF in 2009 to pounce on two loose footballs. Clark also batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage.
"On the interception we were in thirds, so I had a chance to read the quarterback and feel the routes," Hudson said. "They had a single look formation I think, so I was really just reading the quarterback and he took me to the ball."
Hudson's pick and subsequent 18-yard return resulted in a 10-yard touchdown run by Ervin Philips two plays later that tied the game.
Clark's first fumble recovery thwarted an almost certain Louisville scoring drive. On second-and-goal from the SU 4-yard line early in the second quarter, sophomore captain Zaire Franklin broke through the line and stripped Jeremy Smith. Clark fell on the football to preserve what was at the time a 10-7 Syracuse advantage.
Whitner, Hudson and Clark were three of 18 first-year eligibility players to see the field against the Cardinals.
"You can just see those guys taking their games to the next level, making more plays," Franklin said. "Before they were just a solid guys we could use to fill in. "Now they're out there and they're being playmakers."
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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True freshman Kielan Whitner and redshirt freshman Cordell Hudson both set personal bests for tackles, while rookie Steven Clark finished one shy of his career high. All three played key roles in helping the Orange defense match its season high with four takeaways.
Hudson and Whitner led the Orange with nine tackles apiece, while Clark made three stops. Hudson intercepted his first career pass to set up a first-quarter SU touchdown. Whitner forced the first fumble of his career in the fourth quarter (which was recovered by Clark) and broke up a pass. Clark had another fumble recovery earlier in the game and became the first Syracuse player since Arthur Jones versus USF in 2009 to pounce on two loose footballs. Clark also batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage.
"On the interception we were in thirds, so I had a chance to read the quarterback and feel the routes," Hudson said. "They had a single look formation I think, so I was really just reading the quarterback and he took me to the ball."
Hudson's pick and subsequent 18-yard return resulted in a 10-yard touchdown run by Ervin Philips two plays later that tied the game.
Clark's first fumble recovery thwarted an almost certain Louisville scoring drive. On second-and-goal from the SU 4-yard line early in the second quarter, sophomore captain Zaire Franklin broke through the line and stripped Jeremy Smith. Clark fell on the football to preserve what was at the time a 10-7 Syracuse advantage.
Whitner, Hudson and Clark were three of 18 first-year eligibility players to see the field against the Cardinals.
"You can just see those guys taking their games to the next level, making more plays," Franklin said. "Before they were just a solid guys we could use to fill in. "Now they're out there and they're being playmakers."
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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Players Mentioned
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