Observations from SU’s blowout loss to VT: Offense falls flat, penalties return
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BLACKSBURG, VA – Coming off three-straight conference losses where the Orange were outscored 112-24, the bye week couldn’t have come at a better time. However, Virginia Tech also had a bye last week, meaning the conference foes entered this Thursday night matchup with equal rest.
Head coach Dino Babers said this gave his players the opportunity to heal, go home and see their families for the only time during the season. He said he had to fight his initial instinct, which was to use that time to prepare for the Hokies. That didn’t yield the results Babers expected, as the Orange were blown out 38-10 on Thursday night.
Here’s some observations from Syracuse (4-3, 0-3 ACC) at Virginia Tech (3-4, 2-1 ACC):
A complete offensive failure (especially up front)
On Monday, Babers said he expected the SU offense to return to 4-0 form because the defenses weren’t as strong as their last three opponents. Yet, Virginia Tech’s pass rush is, statistically, the best SU has faced this season, and it showed in Syracuse’s offensive production.
In the first half alone, Garrett Shrader was sacked three times and went 0-for-6 on third down, while SU was held to -3 net rushing yards. The offense picked up one first down and surrendered five three-and-outs behind a complete failure up front.
The issues that plagued SU during a brutal three-game conference stretch didn’t dissipate. Shrader had no time to throw, room to run or open receivers. Against FSU, LeQuint Allen Jr. got going, rushing for a 100-yard game, but the Hokies held him to 1.2 yards per carry in half one.
SU’s final first-half line was: 3 points, 59 yards of offense, 2.3 yards per play, -0.2 yards per rush, 0-7 on third down with six penalties. It was ugly for Syracuse’s offense, and protection was the worst of it. Shrader was sacked eight times by the end of the game.
Penalties return in full force
Syracuse had two penalties in its first two plays, the same number of penalties it had versus Florida State.
On the opening play, Shrader spun out of the pocket, pursued closely by Antwaun Powell-Ryland. When he felt hands clamp around his ankles, Shrader tried to flip it to a nearby receiver, but didn’t get it far enough. The intentional grounding penalty put them back 11 yards, forcing a 2nd-and-21. Then, a holding call pushed the Orange back even further, and couldn’t overcome the long field.
The SU punt set VT up at their own 49-yard line, where they eventually got into field goal range to start the scoring. Predictably, Syracuse’s third possession also started with a penalty, leading to another three-and-out. The Hokies answered both of those empty drives with scoring ones of their own, capturing the momentum early.
The violations didn’t slow down as the game progressed, either. By the end, Syracuse racked up 7 penalties for 42 yards. It ranked 99th in penalties entering today (7.0 per game), matching the season average.
Outside runs burn the Orange
The Hokies, who entered the contest 12th in the ACC in rush yards per game, dominated the ground game. Virginia Tech surpassed its average rushing yards per game (140.3) in the first half with 166 yards. It averaged 6.4 yards per carry in the half behind three players who had at least 7 carries.
The Hokies’ scheme froze Syracuse’s linebackers with pre-snap motion and repeated fakes. Using primarily outside zone runs, Syracuse couldn’t contain the edge. And when it did, cutback lanes opened in the middle of the defense. Dual-threat quarterback Kyron Drones led the charge with seven carries for 62 yards, including a back-breaking 38-yard read option that got the Hokies into the red zone.
Jaylin Lane started the play in motion, as he did on so many others. Drones faked a handoff and exploded through the gaping hole in the line. After juking a would-be tackler, Drones exploded into the SU secondary before he was taken down in the red zone.
The Hokies finished with 329 rushing yards, and starting running back Bhayshul Tuten accounted for 118 of that.
Injuries plague both sides
An exorbitant number of players went down with injuries. First, it was Syracuse punter Jack Stonehouse, followed by Justin Barron and Alijah Clark. All three returned to the game, but missed significant periods where the Hokies added to their lead.
In addition, Jayden Bellamy was taken to the hospital. The freshman was listed as the co-starter at cornerback this week next to Jeremiah Wilson, but exited early. His current status is unknown, but his parents were notified and pulled from the stands. That put the Orange down three defensive backs at one point.
Meanwhile, Virginia Tech’s health didn’t fare much better. They had players on both sides of the ball ruled out, including receiver Dae’Quan Wright, who was carted off the field. They also had a defender thrown out for an illegal hit on Umari Hatcher, putting the Hokies down even more personnel. Yet, the margin was so large by then that it didn’t matter.
