While Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer and offensive coordinator Tim Lester have repeatedly said they aren’t dumbing down the playbook for their backup quarterbacks, Lester has mentioned the importance of using the run to set up a passing game.

With No. 8 Louisiana State (2-0, 2-0 Southeastern) coming to the Carrier Dome on Saturday at noon, SU’s (3-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast) offense may be its best defense against running back Leonard Fournette, a Heisman Trophy hopeful.

“Teams who can keep the ball do best,” Tigers head coach Les Miles said on the SEC coaches’ teleconference on Wednesday.

But the Orange had the ball for just 20:54 against Central Michigan and ran 47 plays compared to the Chippewas’ 91. Of those 47, though, 30 were runs. So let’s take a look at how Syracuse preceded a few of its key passing plays from Saturday.

Steve Ishmael 62-yard reception from Eric Dungey

Dungey’s strike on the first play of SU’s third drive was the Orange’s longest play of the game. He faked a handoff and found Ishmael alone about 25 yards downfield, which set up a touchdown on the next play.

On Syracuse’s previous drive, SU ran the ball on six of eight plays, accounting for 72 of 78 yards. When Dungey faked the handoff, CMU’s three linebackers all initially broke toward the line of scrimmage.

Dontae Strickland 25-yard touchdown from Dungey

Syracuse’s next possession started with a 31-yard scramble from Dungey and consecutive 9- and 10-yard rushes by Jordan Fredericks.

On SU’s next play, Dungey faked a handoff to Fredericks and rolled to his right. Central Michigan’s Mitch Stanitzek, who was originally defending Strickland, ran to Dungey when he began to leave the pocket. Dungey, who eventually finished as SU’s second-leading rusher, threw across the line of scrimmage to Strickland, who ran 25 yards for the score.

Jamal Custis 7-yard touchdown from Austin Wilson

Late in the second quarter, Syracuse began its possession on the Chippewas’ 41-yard line. Wilson completed a 22-yard play action pass to Brisly Estime. But then the Orange ran the ball three times in a row. Fredericks lost a yard on first down and then quarterback Zack Mahoney ran an option play for 12 yards on second down. On first and goal, Fredericks ran for just 1 yard.

On second and goal, SU used three tight ends, a running back and two receivers. CMU lined up eight defenders near the line of scrimmage and Custis had single coverage on the outside. Wilson lofted the ball to the back corner and the former high school basketball standout snatched it out of the air.

Kendall Moore 13-yard first down from Mahoney in overtime

Central Michigan kicked a field goal in the first overtime, meaning SU would have to match that to keep the game alive or score a touchdown to win it. On first down, Fredericks ran up the middle for 8 yards. On second down, he was tackled for a loss of 3 yards, setting up a crucial third and 5.

Tight end Moore ran an out route 5 yards downfield and split two CMU linebackers to pick up 8 yards after the catch. Two plays later, Fredericks scored the game-winning touchdown.

Published on September 23, 2015 at 5:27 pm

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