Ri’Shard Anderson had no idea that Keon Lyn’s knee injury was so serious.

He knew Lyn might have to miss some games, but he never expected his lifelong friend’s Syracuse career to come to such an abrupt conclusion.

Lyn’s brother, Keith Lyn, and Anderson were in Keith’s apartment when Lyn called to deliver the news. Anderson didn’t believe what he heard. They spoke for five minutes, and Anderson said he’d call Lyn again when he got home.

“It was shocking,” Anderson said.

Anderson and the rest of the Syracuse secondary will now try to fill the void left by the three-year starter Lyn when the Orange (2-3, 0-1 Atlantic Coast) travels to North Carolina State (3-2, 0-2) in its first-ever ACC road game in Raleigh, N.C. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Lyn recorded 14 solo tackles through five games and has three career interceptions. With his absence, Anderson and Brandon Reddish will assume even more responsibility while Julian Whigham and Wayne Morgan will see more time at cornerback.

“That was a big blow,” Morgan said, “because he’s been working hard all season long, all career long, and for this to be his last season that’s terrible. I feel bad for him.”

Lyn and Anderson have known each other since the age of 6 when they played together on the Miramar (Fla.) Packers in Pee Wee football. They went undefeated that year and tore up southeast Florida.

Lyn wore No. 21 and Anderson 22. They were inseparable. That bond has remained through the years as they’ve elevated through the ranks.

Now Lyn wears No. 8 and Anderson No. 9. When Anderson missed the 2010 season due to a shoulder injury, Lyn was there for support.

And when Anderson takes the field on Saturday, he’ll do so without a friend he considers his brother. Anderson told Lyn to never forget the dream he’s had since their Miramar days of playing in the NFL. It’s a dream they’ve shared together and one Anderson is sure Lyn won’t give up despite this setback.

They started playing football together, Anderson said, so they wanted to finish their college careers on the field together.

“Now I can’t end with him,” Anderson said, “so it hurt me.”

For Syracuse, though, Lyn’s injury leaves a gaping hole in the secondary. His experience, length and knack for tackling will be missed, Anderson said.

However, the loss of Lyn does coincide with the return of Reddish, who sat out Saturday’s game against No. 3 Clemson and will play against the Wolfpack, Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer said. Morgan said Reddish has looked sharp in practice this week and is at 100 percent.

Lyn’s injury means that Reddish will become a full-time starter, Whigham will move to the nickel and Wayne Morgan will take Whigham’s spot as SU’s No. 4 corner.

“One guy goes down,” linebacker Cameron Lynch said, “the next guy should be ready to go.”

Morgan is accustomed to playing corner. He began the season as a safety, but played cornerback both last season and in high school. The extra snaps he’s seen at corner recently due to Reddish’s absence have helped prepare him for the increased role, he said.

“I’ve been doing this my whole career, basically,” Morgan said.

Morgan first heard that the injury would end Lyn’s season on Monday when Shafer addressed the team. Morgan saw Lyn grimacing throughout the game and knew there was a problem. But like Anderson, Morgan had no idea the situation was so severe.

Morgan sent Lyn a text as soon as he heard the news. He wanted to make sure a player he has “so much respect for” knows his teammates have his back.

“I’m here for you if you need me,” Morgan told him via text, “I’m sorry about your injury.”

Lyn’s text back was all Morgan needed to know Lyn was in the right frame of mind.

“Keep your head up,” Lyn said. “Keep ballin’ and keep doing what you got to do. Don’t make this a downfall for the team.”

Published on October 10, 2013 at 1:02 am

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