Recap: Defense Rules First Camp Scrimmage

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse football team held its first preseason scrimmage Saturday morning on Schwartzwalder Field. The Orange defense got the better of the offense, recording seven sacks, a safety, and one interception over the course of the scrimmage. Defensive coordinator Brian Ward's unit allowed touchdowns on just five of the nearly 30 series. Most of the offense's scores were on possessions starting on the defense's side of the 50-yard line.

The Orange ran 144 plays in 90 minutes. Drives started at various points on the field. No extra points were kicked after touchdowns.

Following the scrimmage, head coach Dino Babers acknowledged the defense's execution and cited the group's communication as the primary reason for success.

"They're doing a fantastic job communicating. You've got a bunch of seniors out there who have played a bunch of ball. Anytime that a guy might not be in the right spot, you've got someone else talking and putting them in the right spot," Babers said. "When a defense has the ability to line up before the snap correctly, they're going to have an opportunity to play great defense during that snap."

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Tommy DeVito quarterbacked the first unit. Clayton Welch and Rex Culpepper rotated series with the second team. Freshmen David Summers and Drew Gunther came in later in the scrimmage and were live targets when they were on the field.

From the beginning, the defense took control as senior defensive end Alton Robinson wasted no time making his presence known. The Bednarik Award candidate sacked DeVito in the end zone on the scrimmage's first play. The Orange defense would go on to limit the offense to short gains for the majority of the morning. The group did not surrender a touchdown until the end of the first hour when Welch hooked up with Cameron Jordan in the corner of the end zone.

In addition to Robinson, Kenneth Ruff, Cooper Dawson, Kendall Coleman and Antwan Cordy each had one sack. Sophomore linebacker Juan Wallace led the way with two, both coming on well-disguised blitzes.

Senior Moe Neal was responsible for the day's longest run, taking a handoff and scampering for 31 yards. Neal added a 22-yard touchdown later in the scrimmage.

Syracuse's other scores came on a 15-yard reception by redshirt sophomore Markenzy Pierre and two short touchdown runs by Abdul Adams. The offense's longest pass play was a 31-yard, catch-and-run by freshman Courtney Jackson.

Freshman Neil Nunn forced the scrimmage's only turnover when he intercepted a Summers pass.

The Orange return to the practice field tomorrow morning and will hold their second preseason scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 17.

This year's Orange squad returns 17 starters from last year's team that went 10-3 and defeated West Virginia in the Camping World Bowl. Syracuse is ranked No. 22 in this year's preseason Amway Coaches Poll and kicks off the 2019 campaign at Liberty on Saturday, Aug. 31. The Orange's first home game is Saturday, Sept. 14 versus Clemson.

Season and single-game tickets for Syracuse football are on sale now online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) or in person at the Dome Box Office located in the Ensley Athletic Center. Season tickets start at $125.

Syracuse's single-game ticket allotment for the Clemson game is sold out. The only way to guarantee a seat to watch the Orange and Tigers is through the purchase of a season ticket.

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