Syracuse didn’t need any overtimes or trick plays to beat Central Michigan on Saturday. Just good defense.
Two weeks after narrowly beating Villanova, the Orange (2-0) easily defeated the Chippewas, 40-3, on Saturday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
"I really challenged the defense to play well in stopping the run," Scott Shafer said. "Coach (Chuck) Bullough, Coach (Tim) Daoust, Coach (Fred) Reed, and Coach (Clark) Lea did a heck of a job of getting those kids ready to play."
Syracuse’s defense surrendered a field goal on the opening drive, but shut out Central Michigan the rest of the way. After moving the ball 66 yards on that possession, the Chippewa offense was held to a mere 151 yards for the final 52 minutes and 17 seconds. Chuck Bullough’s defense didn’t play well against Villanova, but showed improvement Saturday with a more physical game and consistent pressure on CMU quarterback Cooper Rush.
“I think that was the biggest aspect of our game,” Eric Crume said. “We played physical and let our presence be known from the start.”
Marqez Hodge scored the game’s first touchdown for Syracuse with a 36-yard fumble return. That put the Orange up 10-3, a lead it would never give back. Terrel Hunt added to Syracuse’s advantage with a 13-play drive, capped off by a four-yard touchdown pass to Brisly Estime.
WAER'S COVERAGE OF SYRACUSE - MARYLAND STARTS WITH COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF AT 12:00 AND KICKOFF AT 12:30. DOUBLE-OVERTIME FOLLOWS END-OF-GAME.
Hunt completed 20 of 30 passes for one passing touchdown, and an additional three scores on the ground. Offensive coordinator George McDonald opened up the playbook, which paid dividends. Hunt made quick decisions and threw accurate passes, even on intermediate and longer routes he’s struggled with before.
Coming into the game, Hunt said he had two goals – stay in the game for four quarters and, of course, win. But by the start of the fourth quarter, Syracuse didn’t need him. Cameron Lynch forced a safety and Hunt added two rushing touchdowns in the third quarter, which put the game out of reach.
"It feels really good to be back out there," said Hunt, who was ejected from Syracuse's season opener for punching a Villanova linebacker. "I’m able to lead the team. They have my back. We wiped it clean and started all over."
Syracuse’s senior running back Adonis Ameem-Moore also added a game-high 106 yards, more than he had all of last season.
The Chippewas, however, managed only 34 rushing yards on 23 carries. The Orange capitalized on facing an opposing offense that was missing two of its biggest weapons – running back Thomas Rawls and wide receiver Titus Davis. CMU Athletics released a statement saying there is an investigation on Rawls about “an issue that came to our attention Friday”. Rawls rushed for at least 100 yards in both of the Chippewas’ first two games. Davis, meanwhile, misses his second consecutive game due to a knee injury. He led Central Michigan with 1109 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 2013.
Syracuse has now started 2-0 for only the second time in 15 seasons. The Orange returns to the Carrier Dome next week for a 12:30 p.m game against Maryland.