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Syracuse struggled through last season to just win three games, only one of which was against an ACC opponent.
\nThe Orange had a difficult time finding success in big games, especially after starting quarterback Terrel Hunt fractured his fibula in a loss to Louisville. Head coach Scott Shafer also demoted offensive coordinator, George McDonald, to coach wide receivers shortly after Hunt\u2019s injury.
\nPrevious quarterbacks coach Tim Lester took over as offensive coordinator.
\nThe 2015 season will be challenging for Syracuse, but the return of Hunt will take some of the burden off of Lester as he tries to configure a working offensive scheme.
\nIn Syracuse\u2019s last five games, the offense did not score more than 17 points. In 2015, the Orange will be lacking key running backs Prince\u2013Tyson Gulley and Adonis Ameen-Moore, as well as receiver Jarrod West who averaged 14.3 yards per catch.
\n\u201cIt was good to have him (Hunt) back. It was good to see that he was healthy. He had to knock some cobwebs off there early, and then we had the implementation of the new offensive scheme and verbiage,\u201d Shafer said. \u201cTerrel did a great job, and it was good to see him back on the field.\u201d
\nWith playmakers gone from an offense that already struggled to put points on the board, younger athletes will need to step up if Syracuse is going to have a successful season.
\nRising sophomore Steve Ishmael could become an integral part of Syracuse\u2019s offense in 2015. He started off the 2014 season with only six catches for 83 yards the first five games, but after Lester play-calling duties, the wide receiver began to thrive.
\nHe caught three passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns against Florida State the very next week.
\nSyracuse won\u2019t have much of a drop-off at offensive line. The Orange is expecting to return six players who all have starting experience. The biggest loss in this group was three-year starter Sean Hickey at left tackle.
\nSenior Ivan Foy is expected to move from right tackle to fill Hickey\u2019s spot, and senior Rob Trudo is expected to fill the void left by John Miller at center. If the line stays healthy, this should be Syracuse\u2019s strongest unit on the field.
\nOn the defensive side of the ball, the Orange faces a greater drop-off of talent. The 2015 defense will be missing many key starters and members of their two-deep as well. Syracuse lost four of their five best linemen, three of their five top linebackers, and four of their best defensive backs.
\nLast year\u2019s defense included six players who racked up at least six tackles for loss, and the 2015 season will only return one of those athletes.
\nThe only player left who has significant game experience from last season is previous four-star recruit Ron Thompson. The former tight end will take over on the defensive line.
\nShafer mentioned he was pleased with what he saw from redshirt freshman Klayton Samuels at the tackle position throughout the spring, so it is likely he will be competing for starting time with senior Wayne Williams.
\n\u201cWe have a nice mix of older guys and some fresh, young guys that are just going really hard. I was pleased with the competition in there,\u201d the head coach said. \u201cIt\u2019s been fun watching them compete. When those jobs are open and it\u2019s an open season to compete to try to get in that lineup and figure out a way to fight for playing time, you know, there\u2019s great intensity with those kids.\u201d
\nDefensive coordinator Chuck Bullough has his work cut out for him with an inexperienced defensive line and secondary. Syracuse will miss having safety Durell Eskridge, who signed with the New York Jets as a free agent. Safeties Darius Kelly and Ritchy Desir, as well cornerback Brandon Reddish, will not return either.
\nTaking over the safety positions will be sophomores Antwan Cordy and Chauncey Scissum. At Cornerback, the Orange has a bit more experience with seniors Julian Whigham and Wayne Morgan.
\nSyracuse also lost two linebackers to the NFL as Cameron Lynch signed a free agent deal with the St. Louis Rams and Dyshawn Davis signed a free agent deal with the Redskins.
\nSophomore Zaire Franklin was moved inside to fill in at middle linebacker, and junior Marquez Hodge was moved to the weakside position.
\nSyracuse has a lot of uncertainty to figure out going into the 2015 season, and not a lot of time to figure it out with early games against Wake Forest and LSU. Luckily for the Orange, they will not have to leave the Carrier Dome until Oct. 10. Clemson\u2019s matchup against Syracuse will take place in the Orange\u2019s home field on Nov. 14.<\/p>\n
Clemson, Head coach Scott Shafer, Syracuse, Football\u00a0<\/p>\n
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