Scott Shafer hopes to get freshman quarterback Eric Dungey back in the beginning or middle of the upcoming week, the head coach said following Syracuse’s 34-24 loss to No. 8 LSU (3-0, 2-0 Southeastern) on Saturday.

In Dungey’s place, sophomore walk-on Zack Mahoney went 16-of-38 for 154 yards passing and three touchdowns. He did throw an interception and fumbled on the first drive after being sacked, but his second-half performance allowed SU (3-1, 1-0 Atlantic Coast) to stay within striking distance until late in the fourth.

The freshman, who suffered an upper-body injury after a helmet-to-helmet hit from Central Michigan defensive lineman Mitch Stanitzek, will be evaluated again tomorrow.

“I can tell you he’s doing well,” Shafer said. “Hopefully we get Eric back here pretty quick, we’ll follow the whole protocol and make sure he’s in good shape.”

Shafer added it’s going to take a few days to be sure Dungey is ready to return, but Syracuse’s bye week certainly doesn’t hurt. The Orange returns to action against South Florida on Oct. 10 in Tampa, Florida.