Syracuse’s 66-3 rout of New Hampshire was the kind of opener that left plenty of people talking. Steve Angeli’s return, Shavane Anderson Jr.’s history-making night, and the debut of Vince Kehres’ defense all drew deserved attention.
But there was another piece of the blowout that deserves a closer look: the Orange’s return game.
Demetres Samuel Jr. was a major part of it. The defensive back, who also flashes on offense from time to time because of what he can do with the ball, handled four punt returns for 83 yards, good for better than 20 yards per return. He kept giving Syracuse the kind of field position that makes life easier for everybody else on the field.
Samuel also had one kickoff return, and he brought that back 42 yards.
Davien Kerr added to the damage on punt returns, finishing with three for 50 yards, an average of nearly 17 yards each time he touched it. Whether it was Samuel or Kerr back there, Syracuse kept finding ways to start drives in better spots.
That’s not something the Orange should expect to duplicate every week, but it was a clear reminder that special teams can tilt a game just as much as offense or defense.
On Monday, Fran Brown also said freshman wide receiver Calvin Russell III and defensive back Tedarius Hughes are trending in a positive direction injury-wise. Brown noted that both high school teammates could have major roles for Syracuse, and that impact may come sooner rather than later.
Next up, Syracuse opens Atlantic Coast Conference play Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET against Cal.
The Golden Bears fell to UCLA, 45-24, in their opener and figure to be a much tougher test than New Hampshire. SyracuseRoundtable will have live coverage from the JMA Wireless Dome all day long.
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Carter-Williams brings a familiar blend of experience to the job after a nine-year NBA career and time as a television studio analyst for ESPNs ACC Network. For Syracuse fans, it is another reminder that one of the programs most recognizable alumni is still close to the game, and now has a hand in helping guide players through the same professional path he once followed himself. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Is Building Momentum With A Young EDGE To Watch
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Powers has come away impressed by what he has seen from Syracuse and the coaching staff, and the Orange clearly have a head start with a player who is still early in his recruitment. He describes himself as a versatile, physical EDGE who wants to keep developing, which makes him the kind of long-term target Syracuse will want to keep close as the process unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Has A New Backfield Question After Shavane Anderson Jr. Breakout
Syracuse got a welcome glimpse of its backfield future in Saturdays rout of New Hampshire, when Shavane Anderson Jr. burst onto the scene with 102 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The freshmans performance earned him Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Week honors and put him in a rare class, becoming the first ACC freshman running back in more than 20 years to open with 100 yards and three scores on the ground.
The timing matters as much as the production. Andersons opportunity came with projected starters JuJuan Johnson and Ahmad Miller sidelined by injuries, and both are expected back soon, which leaves Syracuse with a good problem to sort through. The Orange now have to figure out how much of Andersons breakout was a one-game emergence and how much of it has changed the shape of their backfield going forward. [Read more 🡒]