Photo by: Charles Wainwright
Sunday Sidebar: Instant Impact
9/11/2016 3:00:00 PM | Football
Amba Etta-Tawo is second nationally in receiving yards per game
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Ever since his arrival in December, Orange head coach Dino Babers has preached the importance of having faith – belief without evidence. Babers' message has been heard loud and clear by receiver Amba Etta-Tawo, who demonstrated some faith of his own by transferring to play for Syracuse's first-year coach after spending his first three seasons of eligibility at Maryland.
Two games into the 2016 season Etta-Tawo's faith has been rewarded. The Powder Springs, Ga. product is second in the FBS in receiving yards per game (156.5) and tied for third in the country with teammate Ervin Philips and three others in receptions per contest (10.0). Etta-Tawo already has six catches of 20 or more yards this year, including touchdown receptions of 43 and 47 yards.
On one play in the season opener versus Colgate on Sept. 2, Etta-Tawo proved he bought into what Babers and Co. are selling. During the third quarer, quarterback Eric Dungey lofted the ball to a streaking Etta-Tawo down the sideline. The 6-foot-2 receiver won the jump ball and managed to drag a toe inbounds to complete the play.
"There was a lot of technique involved. Technique that he's worked on since transferring here and you saw all of that in one play," Babers said. "I know it wasn't a touchdown, but to me that was his best play of the night. There was a ton of growth and a ton of faith he exercised on that play. I was so proud of him."
Etta-Tawo finished the opener with 210 yards on 12 catches, a performance that earned him ACC Receiver of the Week honors. Friday against Louisville, Etta-Tawo picked up right where he left off with eight more receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns. It marked the first time a Syracuse receiver had recorded consecutive 100-yard games since Alec Lemon turned the trick in 2012.
To put Etta-Tawo's production into perspective, his three TD receptions in the first two games equals his career total at Maryland achieved in 37 contests. His 313 receiving yards is nearly 100 more than he had all last season. In addition, Etta-Tawo's presence has given the Orange offense another legitimate deep threat to go along with Brisly Estime.
For Etta-Tawo, who witnessed the explosiveness of Babers' offense first-hand in 2015 when Bowling Green beat his Maryland squad, the decision to come to Syracuse was an easy one.
"I was looking for an opportunity and when I saw Coach Babers was here it was an easy choice," Etta-Tawo said.
Still, Etta-Tawo had to have faith that this coaching staff would put his skill set to good use on the fast track of the Carrier Dome.
So far his decision to join the Orange has paid off for both sides.
For complete coverage of Syracuse and Syracuse football, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange & Syracuse Football), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseFootball), Instagram (@Cusepics, @CuseFootball) and watch exclusive video content on Cuse TV.
Two games into the 2016 season Etta-Tawo's faith has been rewarded. The Powder Springs, Ga. product is second in the FBS in receiving yards per game (156.5) and tied for third in the country with teammate Ervin Philips and three others in receptions per contest (10.0). Etta-Tawo already has six catches of 20 or more yards this year, including touchdown receptions of 43 and 47 yards.
On one play in the season opener versus Colgate on Sept. 2, Etta-Tawo proved he bought into what Babers and Co. are selling. During the third quarer, quarterback Eric Dungey lofted the ball to a streaking Etta-Tawo down the sideline. The 6-foot-2 receiver won the jump ball and managed to drag a toe inbounds to complete the play.
"There was a lot of technique involved. Technique that he's worked on since transferring here and you saw all of that in one play," Babers said. "I know it wasn't a touchdown, but to me that was his best play of the night. There was a ton of growth and a ton of faith he exercised on that play. I was so proud of him."
Etta-Tawo finished the opener with 210 yards on 12 catches, a performance that earned him ACC Receiver of the Week honors. Friday against Louisville, Etta-Tawo picked up right where he left off with eight more receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns. It marked the first time a Syracuse receiver had recorded consecutive 100-yard games since Alec Lemon turned the trick in 2012.
To put Etta-Tawo's production into perspective, his three TD receptions in the first two games equals his career total at Maryland achieved in 37 contests. His 313 receiving yards is nearly 100 more than he had all last season. In addition, Etta-Tawo's presence has given the Orange offense another legitimate deep threat to go along with Brisly Estime.
For Etta-Tawo, who witnessed the explosiveness of Babers' offense first-hand in 2015 when Bowling Green beat his Maryland squad, the decision to come to Syracuse was an easy one.
"I was looking for an opportunity and when I saw Coach Babers was here it was an easy choice," Etta-Tawo said.
Still, Etta-Tawo had to have faith that this coaching staff would put his skill set to good use on the fast track of the Carrier Dome.
So far his decision to join the Orange has paid off for both sides.
For complete coverage of Syracuse and Syracuse football, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange & Syracuse Football), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseFootball), Instagram (@Cusepics, @CuseFootball) and watch exclusive video content on Cuse TV.
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