The Syracuse Orange (4-7, 2-5) likely has no chance of playing in a bowl game this year.
The team had a chance to keep their postseason hopes alive, but they were outmatched from the very start in a 56-10 loss at Louisville (7-4, 4-4).
The first two plays for the home team were a 29 yard run for quarterback Lamar Jackson, and a 46 yard touchdown run for running back Malik Williams. Those two big plays set the tone for the game.
The tandem of Jackson and Williams combined for 291 yards and four touchdowns on the ground in just three quarters of play. Louisville’s QB also threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions.
With starting QB Eric Dungey and starting RB Dontae Strickland both ruled out before the game, Syracuse had to rely on Zack Mahoney to take snaps and Moe Neal to carry the ball. Neal finished the game just short of 100 yards rushing.
Mahoney didn’t have the same success. The senior finished 5/15 with two interceptions before being replaced by freshman QB Rex Culpepper. In his third appearance of the season, Culpepper threw for 89 yards and two interceptions.
The Louisville offense warmed up after the first quarter. The Cardinals put up four touchdowns in the second quarter, two rushing and two passing.
Louisville’s shortest touchdown on the day was a nineteen yard run by Heisman contender Lamar Jackson. Every other touchdown they scored was longer than 25 yards.
The Cardinals clicked on defense as well as offense. Louisville held Syracuse receivers Steve Ishmael and Ervin Phillips to a combined four catches for 42 yards. The only Syracuse touchdown was an eight yard run by Phillips. By that time, the game was already in the fourth quarter, far out of reach.
This marks Syracuse’s fourth straight loss since upsetting Clemson. In those four losses, the Orange was outscored 174- 96.
Syracuse plays their season finale at home on Saturday against Boston College. The 25th will also be senior day.