Photo by: Charles Wainwright
Orange Extra: Thursday Night Lights
10/8/2019 9:00:00 AM | Football
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse is scheduled to make its first Thursday night appearance since 2011 when it travels to Raleigh this week for an ACC Atlantic Division clash against NC State. The Thursday 8 p.m. time slot means national television exposure, this time in the form of ESPN.
Adam Amin will handle play-by-play duties, while former Boston College quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and ex-West Virginia kicker Pat McAfee are the analysts. Molly McGrath, another Boston College graduate, is the sideline reporter.
ACC STANDINGS SHUFFLE
Syracuse's encounter with NC State begins a seven-game run of ACC opponents for the Orange. The league standings are jumbled so far with only three unbeaten teams in conference play – Clemson (3-0), Virginia (2-0) and Wake Forest (1-0). The other 11 programs have at least one ACC loss and four of those clubs have been beaten twice in league play.
The Orange are one of three teams who have logged just one ACC game so far. The other two, Wake Forest and NC State, also reside in the conference's Atlantic Division.
Only two ACC gridiron teams have losing overall records entering this week's slate of games. Three conference members are in the national rankings – #2/2 Clemson, #19/17 Wake Forest and #20/19 Virginia.
SYRACUSE LIKES PUNCHING THE CLOCK ON WEEKDAYS
The Orange have posted a remarkable record in weekday games. Syracuse has captured 15 of their 18 (.833) weekday games since defeating Kansas State in the 2010 Pinstripe Bowl. In their tenure as an ACC member, the Orange are 9-2 (.818) in non-Saturday outings.
With Pittsburgh coming to the Dome on Friday, Oct. 18, Syracuse is facing back-to-back weekday games for the third time in the modern era. Consecutive weekday outings were also played in 1952 and 2016.
THE TURNOVER CHALLENGE
Syracuse has enjoyed great success in the takeaway department over the past two seasons. The Orange have posted 19 consecutive games with a turnover forced, a streak that ranks second to Mississippi State (21 games) among FBS programs. Syracuse is tied for eighth nationally in takeaways to date.
The Orange have accumulated 12 turnovers this fall with six recovered fumbles and six interceptions.
Syracuse's streak will be put to the test Thursday night, as NC State has been adept at protecting the pigskin. The Wolfpack have just two interceptions thrown and have fumbled the ball away only twice in five games.
IS NC STATE QUARTERBACK U?
There's one school in the college football ranks that has five of its former quarterbacks in the NFL and that's NC State. Pro Wolfpack reps include Philip Rivers (Chargers), Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Mike Glennon (Raiders), Jacoby Brissett (Colts) and Ryan Finley (Bengals). Three of the five – Brissett, Rivers and Wilson – are starters.
WHO'S ON FIRST?
Perhaps "who is starting at quarterback" would be more appropriate. The signal-caller position has become unsettled for NC State. Three different performers – redshirt sophomores Matt McKay and Bailey Hockman, and redshirt freshman Devin Leary – have taken snaps for the Wolfpack.
NC State head coach Dave Doeren said Monday that Hockman will get the start Thursday, while Leary will also "have an opportunity."
McKay has the most numbers after five games. He has completed 86-of-150 passes for 910 yards and three touchdowns. He has thrown one interception. McKay has also posted four rushing touchdowns. However, he was replaced by Hockman after three series in NC State's last game on Sept. 28 versus Florida State. Hockman has connected on 28-of-50 throws for 255 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Leary has had limited field time and has completed 4-of-5 passes for 54 yards.
It's uncharted territory for the Wolfpack, who have benefited from relying on Brissett and Finley for the last five seasons.
QUARTERBACK SACKS PART OF GAME PLAN FOR BOTH CLUBS
Syracuse and NC State have had similar results in pressuring the quarterback in 2019. The Orange are averaging 3.4 sacks per game and have 16 total. The Wolfpack boast 3.6 sacks per contest and 18 overall. Syracuse ranks 16th and NC State 13th nationally in sacks per game.
The Syracuse defense has five players with at least two sacks so far – Lakiem Williams (3.5), Alton Robinson (2.5), Brandon Berry (2.5), Josh Black (2) and Kingsley Jonathan (2). NC State has received great results from graduate tackle Larrell Murchison (5) and redshirt sophomore end Xavier Lyas (3.5).
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
Adam Amin will handle play-by-play duties, while former Boston College quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and ex-West Virginia kicker Pat McAfee are the analysts. Molly McGrath, another Boston College graduate, is the sideline reporter.
ACC STANDINGS SHUFFLE
Syracuse's encounter with NC State begins a seven-game run of ACC opponents for the Orange. The league standings are jumbled so far with only three unbeaten teams in conference play – Clemson (3-0), Virginia (2-0) and Wake Forest (1-0). The other 11 programs have at least one ACC loss and four of those clubs have been beaten twice in league play.
The Orange are one of three teams who have logged just one ACC game so far. The other two, Wake Forest and NC State, also reside in the conference's Atlantic Division.
Only two ACC gridiron teams have losing overall records entering this week's slate of games. Three conference members are in the national rankings – #2/2 Clemson, #19/17 Wake Forest and #20/19 Virginia.
SYRACUSE LIKES PUNCHING THE CLOCK ON WEEKDAYS
The Orange have posted a remarkable record in weekday games. Syracuse has captured 15 of their 18 (.833) weekday games since defeating Kansas State in the 2010 Pinstripe Bowl. In their tenure as an ACC member, the Orange are 9-2 (.818) in non-Saturday outings.
With Pittsburgh coming to the Dome on Friday, Oct. 18, Syracuse is facing back-to-back weekday games for the third time in the modern era. Consecutive weekday outings were also played in 1952 and 2016.
THE TURNOVER CHALLENGE
Syracuse has enjoyed great success in the takeaway department over the past two seasons. The Orange have posted 19 consecutive games with a turnover forced, a streak that ranks second to Mississippi State (21 games) among FBS programs. Syracuse is tied for eighth nationally in takeaways to date.
The Orange have accumulated 12 turnovers this fall with six recovered fumbles and six interceptions.
Syracuse's streak will be put to the test Thursday night, as NC State has been adept at protecting the pigskin. The Wolfpack have just two interceptions thrown and have fumbled the ball away only twice in five games.
IS NC STATE QUARTERBACK U?
There's one school in the college football ranks that has five of its former quarterbacks in the NFL and that's NC State. Pro Wolfpack reps include Philip Rivers (Chargers), Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Mike Glennon (Raiders), Jacoby Brissett (Colts) and Ryan Finley (Bengals). Three of the five – Brissett, Rivers and Wilson – are starters.
WHO'S ON FIRST?
Perhaps "who is starting at quarterback" would be more appropriate. The signal-caller position has become unsettled for NC State. Three different performers – redshirt sophomores Matt McKay and Bailey Hockman, and redshirt freshman Devin Leary – have taken snaps for the Wolfpack.
NC State head coach Dave Doeren said Monday that Hockman will get the start Thursday, while Leary will also "have an opportunity."
McKay has the most numbers after five games. He has completed 86-of-150 passes for 910 yards and three touchdowns. He has thrown one interception. McKay has also posted four rushing touchdowns. However, he was replaced by Hockman after three series in NC State's last game on Sept. 28 versus Florida State. Hockman has connected on 28-of-50 throws for 255 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Leary has had limited field time and has completed 4-of-5 passes for 54 yards.
It's uncharted territory for the Wolfpack, who have benefited from relying on Brissett and Finley for the last five seasons.
QUARTERBACK SACKS PART OF GAME PLAN FOR BOTH CLUBS
Syracuse and NC State have had similar results in pressuring the quarterback in 2019. The Orange are averaging 3.4 sacks per game and have 16 total. The Wolfpack boast 3.6 sacks per contest and 18 overall. Syracuse ranks 16th and NC State 13th nationally in sacks per game.
The Syracuse defense has five players with at least two sacks so far – Lakiem Williams (3.5), Alton Robinson (2.5), Brandon Berry (2.5), Josh Black (2) and Kingsley Jonathan (2). NC State has received great results from graduate tackle Larrell Murchison (5) and redshirt sophomore end Xavier Lyas (3.5).
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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