Syracuse Football is already a quarter of the way through its 2021 season. As predicted, the Orange sit at 2-1 with one more non-conference game on the horizon on Friday against Liberty. Through 180 minutes of action, we’ve gathered reasons to be both optimistic and pessimistic about this team. What are the biggest takeaways from SU’s first three outings? Let’s discuss.
Sean Tucker is a Stud
Syracuse fans already knew this entering the season. The second year freshman has quickly been garnering national attention amongst the media and fans. After a sluggish performance against Rutgers last week, the Maryland native exploded. Tucker took 13 carries for 132 yards and four touchdowns while adding three catches for 121 more yards and another score. Oh and he did all of that in essentially one half of Saturday’s contest against UAlbany.
Say what you will about who Tucker was slicing and dicing against, it was still impressive. Not convinced? Well listen to this: Tucker became just the fifth ACC player since 2004 to record 100+ rushing and 100+ receiving yards in the same game. The last person to peform this feat? Dalvin Cook. That’s some pretty good company. Tucker was also just one touchdown shy of tying Jim Brown’s record of six touchdowns in one contest. Again, great company to be around.
Clearly, the Doak Walker Award watch list member has to convince more people of his talents because he was absolutely snubbed from this week’s ACC Team of the Week. Honors and recognition aside, Tucker is a transcendent talent that can carry SU to an upset win over Liberty on Friday and potentially a bowl game down the road.
The D-Line is Very Deep
This is not something that Syracuse fans could talk about in 2020. Really the depth on both the offense and defensive lines was horrible. This is a big reason why the Orange were thrashed on short yard conversion situations and really just couldn’t compete at the line of scrimmage. This year it’s different, SU is at least six deep along the front and is getting consistent results.
Starting with Cody Roscoe, he’s burst onto the scene early on with 3.5 sacks in three games. The McNeese State transfer got to UAlbany’s quarterback three different times on Saturday and just flew around the field hunting the ball carrier. Against Rutgers, the newly-minted number 18 recorded three tackles for loss and tied for third on the team with seven tackles. Roscoe seems to be getting the snaps that veteran Kingsley Jonathan would get but he’s been on the sidelines thus far. When Jonathan is good to go, Roscoe will be ready to rotate in and be a contributor.
Another breakout star has been Caleb Okechukwu. The fourth year lineman has tallied nine tackles, one and a half tackles for loss, and one-half sack through three games. The Washington D.C. native has already surpassed his TFL total from 2020. The St. John’s College product flashed his game changing ability with his six tackle, half-sack performance against Rutgers. Okechukwu made another big play against UAlbany when he recovered a fumble forced by Stefon Thompson. He’s another critical depth piece for DL coach Vince Reynolds to use going forward.
Experienced veteran Curtis Harper has also pitched in with tackles and had a sack against the Great Danes. I highlight Roscoe and Okechukwu specifically because that duo in tandem with Josh Black, Mckinley Williams, and Jonathan can form a stout defensive line.
Tommy DeVito is still looking for his WR2
Taj Harris is SU’s top option at receiver. This year the prolific pass catcher has moved back into the slot and the early returns have been promising. In two games (Harris missed the UAlbany game), the New Jersey native tallied 14 catches for 151 yards. Harris is the main threat to opposing defenses and if they’re smart, the coordinators will engineer a game plan to limit his impact. So who then will DeVito throw too? After three games we really don’t have an answer.
Entering the season, most expected Anthony Queeley to be that guy. However, through three games, the Florida native has racked up just five catches for 64 yards. That includes a no catch no yardage effort against Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights have been the best defense the Orange have faced thus far. Maybe Sharod Johnson is that number two guy? Nope. Just five catches for 53 yards so far for the Miami, FL native. Syracuse needs to find its WR2 as soon as possible.
We’re going to find out a lot about this 2021 Syracuse team on Friday when Liberty comes to the Dome. The Orange look to get revenge on last year’s embarrassing 38-21 loss and exit non-conference play with a 3-1 record.
