Syracuse (3-3, 1-1 Atlantic Coast) lost a triple-overtime heartbreaker to Virginia (2-4, 1-1), 44-38, after blowing a 10-point, fourth-quarter lead. The Orange’s Cole Murphy missed a 48-yard field goal in triple overtime, allowing the Cavaliers to win the game on the next possession. Here’s a look at how SU is trending after the contest.

Stock Up

Parris Bennett, sophomore linebacker

Bennett has emerged as one of the bright spots of Syracuse’s young defense and had another strong performance with 13 total tackles against UVA. In the past three games, Bennett has 23 total tackles. Entering the season it wasn’t clear who would win the strong-side linebacker spot alongside Marqez Hodge and Zaire Franklin. The sophomore linebacker earned the position just a few days into training camp and is now leading Syracuse in total tackles with 41.

Steve Ishmael, sophomore wide receiver

Ishmael scored his third touchdown of the season on Saturday, his second in as many games, and led the Orange in both catches (four) and yards (40). After hauling in just five passes in the first three games, he’s corralled 13 in the last three. For a player who entered the season as one of SU’s biggest offensive threats, Ishmael’s increased production has him beginning to live up to those expectations.

Stock Down

Eric Dungey’s body

The freshman quarterback finished with a team-high 18 rushes and 85 yards. Earlier this week SU head coach Scott Shafer said Dungey needs to throw the ball away more in order to avoid taking unnecessary hits. Consider UVA’s three sacks and other hits they made after he threw the ball and it adds up quickly, especially for a player who missed a game and a half after being popped in the head against Central Michigan.

“They want me sliding and not really taking shots,” Dungey said after the game. “It’s not really in my nature, it’s kind of hard for me. I try to get every yard I can, but I have to be smarter about that to protect my body.”

Ball security

Syracuse fumbled four times against Virginia — compared to five times in the previous five games — and while only losing possession twice, it played a key role in SU’s downfall. The Orange’s first possession ended on its second play after Dungey couldn’t secure the handoff, giving UVA the ball just 52 yards from the end zone. The Cavaliers didn’t score on the next possession but it foreshadowed a long day of fumbles.

Late in the first quarter, SU had first-and-goal from the Virginia 2-yard line, but a fumbled snap pushed it back 7 yards and the Orange never punched it in. Then on a third-and-6 from Syracuse’s 29-yard line, Dungey was sacked and the ball came loose. He appeared to be midway through a throwing motion but it was unclear whether or not his arm was moving forward. Virginia’s Wilfred Wahee picked it up and ran for a touchdown. After review, the referees announced the call stood — it wasn’t confirmed — meaning there wasn’t enough evidence to overturn it.

Published on October 18, 2015 at 5:24 pm

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