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Syracuse’s defense has major problems entering Durham to face Duke

By Kevin Connelly

SYRACUSE, NY - SEPTEMBER 28: Syracuse Orange players and head coach Dino Babers stand amidst special effects before the game against the Holy Cross Crusaders at the Carrier Dome on September 28, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - SEPTEMBER 28: Syracuse Orange players and head coach Dino Babers stand amidst special effects before the game against the Holy Cross Crusaders at the Carrier Dome on September 28, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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The Duke Football team can exploit a weak Syracuse Orange defense on Saturday afternoon when the Orange face the Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium.

It’ll be a matchup of desperate teams on Saturday afternoon when the Syracuse Orange (3-6) enter Wallace Wade Stadium to face the Duke Blue Devils (4-5).

Syracuse had very high expectations coming into the season after a 10-3 season a year ago but have fell extremely short in 2019.

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The Orange opened the season with a 24-0 win over Liberty, but then surrendered 104 points two games after, both losses to Maryland on the road and then No. 1 Clemson at home.

After trying to get back on track with wins over Western Michigan and Holy Cross, Syracuse has yet to leave the field victorious, losing its last four games, all in conference play.

North Carolina State, Pittsburgh, Florida State, and Boston College all have gotten the best of the Orange as most recently Syracuse had a week off to sit on its 58-27 loss to Boston College in the Carrier Dome.

Starting quarterback Tommy Devito is completing 64.1% of his passes, totaling 2,075 yards this season with 15 touchdowns and just five interceptions.

Devito also has accumulated 119 rushing yards and one touchdown on the season.

Trishton Jackson has emerged as one of DeVito’s favorite targets with a team highs across the board with 51 receptions and 780 yards in addition to his eight touchdowns.

Tight end Aaron Hackett is a major red zone target for Devito as he is second on the team with five touchdowns this season but only has 19 receptions for 171 yards.

In the backfield the Orange rely on running back Moe Neal as he has 470 yards on 113 carries and four touchdowns.

Abdul Adams also has three touchdowns on 73 attempts with 294 yards.

While the Syracuse offense can be potent, the defense is like swiss-cheese, allowing over 30 points per game and with a Duke offense that is struggling, the Orange defense might be just what the Blue Devils need to win this game.

The Duke Blue Devils and the Syracuse Orange will kickoff at 4:00pm EST on Saturday, November 16 at Wallace Wade Stadium and the game can be seen on the ACC Network.

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