Photo by: Charles Wainwright
Sunday Sidebar: Instant Impact
9/30/2018 11:00:00 AM | Football
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Rookies. Youngsters. Diaper dandies.
Call them what you want, but it doesn't change the fact that the Syracuse football team's freshmen have contributed heavily to the team's 4-1 start. Their impact was on full display yesterday, as the Orange's newcomers made plays in all three phases of the game and nearly helped Syracuse pull out a victory against No. 3 Clemson in Death Valley.
True freshmen defensive backs Andre Cisco and Trill Williams have been staples of the Orange's rotation all season and turned in solid performances again yesterday.
The first true freshman to start a season opener at safety for the Orange since Markus Paul in 1985, Cisco has been with the first string for all five games. At Clemson, he carded a career-high eight tackles (six solo), raising his season total to 15. Cisco leads the nation with four interceptions and he's tied for second in the ACC with seven passes defended (4 INT, 3 PBU).
Williams, meanwhile, intercepted the first pass of his career in the third quarter against the Tigers and finished the game with two tackles, including his first career tackle for loss. The Orange, who've forced at least one turnover in each of their first five games, have eight interceptions this season, with Williams and Cisco accounting for five of them.
On offense, freshman wideout Taj Harris set personal bests in both receptions (3) and receiving yards (66) at Clemson. His career-long, over-the-shoulder 51-yard catch in the first half set up an Orange touchdown.
Senior quarterback Eric Dungey noted Harris' impact while addressing the media after the game.
"That kid's a warrior," Dungey said. "I can see it in his eyes. He just wants what's best for the team, and he's the most unselfish player on the team. I'm so proud of Taj and the way that he's come up. I think he's just going to get better and better the more confident he gets."
Freshman running back Jarveon Howard, redshirt freshman quarterback Tommy DeVito, and freshman tight end Gabe Horan have also flashed on the offensive side of the ball in 2018. Syracuse's third-leading rusher with 187 yards, Howard is averaging a team-best 7.8 yards a carry (min. 5 attempts) and owns the Orange's longest run of the season. Howard got loose for a 52-yard scamper in the team's win over UConn.
DeVito came on in relief of Dungey against Florida State and threw for 144 yards and a touchdown in Syracuse's 30-7 triumph over the Seminoles. He also scored a rushing touchdown in the game. For his effort, DeVito was named ACC Rookie of the Week on Sept. 17.
Horan made a 7-yard touchdown grab on his first career snap in the UConn game.
On special teams, redshirt freshman Andre Szmyt has had an impressive start to his career. He booted three field goals for the third game in a row and was responsible for 11 of the Orange's 23 points yesterday at Clemson. Szmyt's make from 51 yards out in the first quarter was the longest of his career and his second from 50+ yards away.
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Szmyt, who won the starting placekicking job in preseason camp, has converted multiple field goals in all five games this season. He is 13-for-14 (.929) on the year, as well as a perfect 26-for-26 on PATs, and ranks first in the ACC and third in the FBS in scoring (13.0 ppg.). His 2.6 field goals per game leads the nation.
It's safe to say for head coach Dino Babers and the Orange coaching staff that the kids are alright.
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
Call them what you want, but it doesn't change the fact that the Syracuse football team's freshmen have contributed heavily to the team's 4-1 start. Their impact was on full display yesterday, as the Orange's newcomers made plays in all three phases of the game and nearly helped Syracuse pull out a victory against No. 3 Clemson in Death Valley.
True freshmen defensive backs Andre Cisco and Trill Williams have been staples of the Orange's rotation all season and turned in solid performances again yesterday.
The first true freshman to start a season opener at safety for the Orange since Markus Paul in 1985, Cisco has been with the first string for all five games. At Clemson, he carded a career-high eight tackles (six solo), raising his season total to 15. Cisco leads the nation with four interceptions and he's tied for second in the ACC with seven passes defended (4 INT, 3 PBU).
Williams, meanwhile, intercepted the first pass of his career in the third quarter against the Tigers and finished the game with two tackles, including his first career tackle for loss. The Orange, who've forced at least one turnover in each of their first five games, have eight interceptions this season, with Williams and Cisco accounting for five of them.
On offense, freshman wideout Taj Harris set personal bests in both receptions (3) and receiving yards (66) at Clemson. His career-long, over-the-shoulder 51-yard catch in the first half set up an Orange touchdown.
Senior quarterback Eric Dungey noted Harris' impact while addressing the media after the game.
"That kid's a warrior," Dungey said. "I can see it in his eyes. He just wants what's best for the team, and he's the most unselfish player on the team. I'm so proud of Taj and the way that he's come up. I think he's just going to get better and better the more confident he gets."
Freshman running back Jarveon Howard, redshirt freshman quarterback Tommy DeVito, and freshman tight end Gabe Horan have also flashed on the offensive side of the ball in 2018. Syracuse's third-leading rusher with 187 yards, Howard is averaging a team-best 7.8 yards a carry (min. 5 attempts) and owns the Orange's longest run of the season. Howard got loose for a 52-yard scamper in the team's win over UConn.
DeVito came on in relief of Dungey against Florida State and threw for 144 yards and a touchdown in Syracuse's 30-7 triumph over the Seminoles. He also scored a rushing touchdown in the game. For his effort, DeVito was named ACC Rookie of the Week on Sept. 17.
Horan made a 7-yard touchdown grab on his first career snap in the UConn game.
On special teams, redshirt freshman Andre Szmyt has had an impressive start to his career. He booted three field goals for the third game in a row and was responsible for 11 of the Orange's 23 points yesterday at Clemson. Szmyt's make from 51 yards out in the first quarter was the longest of his career and his second from 50+ yards away.
Â
Szmyt, who won the starting placekicking job in preseason camp, has converted multiple field goals in all five games this season. He is 13-for-14 (.929) on the year, as well as a perfect 26-for-26 on PATs, and ranks first in the ACC and third in the FBS in scoring (13.0 ppg.). His 2.6 field goals per game leads the nation.
It's safe to say for head coach Dino Babers and the Orange coaching staff that the kids are alright.
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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