1. Freshman linebackers

Two of Syracuse’s starting linebacker spots are seemingly nailed down – by Cam Lynch and Dyshawn Davis – and Marqez Hodge has the edge so far in the middle, but the group may be deeper than expected, with the additions of its freshmen. Zaire Franklin, wearing No. 45, was active and made some solid tackles. Two plays after making a stop at the line of scrimmage, Jonathan Thomas sacked Mitch Kimble and celebrated with defensive graduate assistant Siriki Diabate. On the same series, Colton Moskal took charge in the middle, barking out orders before the snap, and nearly picked off a Kimble pass, punishing himself with a few push-ups before getting back on his feet and making a tackle shortly thereafter.

2. Missed tackles

Though the players have been in full pads for only a few days, Syracuse’s ability to wrap up on tackles could’ve been sharper. The younger cornerbacks particularly struggled to bring down ball carriers early on in Saturday’s scrimmage and a few open-field tackles were missed near the line of scrimmage, allowing the offense additional yardage after contact. But expect the SU defense to refine its tackling as it gets more time back in pads.

3. Micah Robinson

The 6-foot-4 senior had few problems getting to the quarterback. Squaring off with offensive tackle Jamar McGloster, Robinson “sacked” freshman A.J. Long — the quarterbacks couldn’t be tackled and plays were whistled dead when defensive players drew close enough to them — to force a third-and-11 situation. On the very next play, Robinson nearly had another sack, but linebacker Cameron Lynch narrowly beat him to Long.

4. Stopping the run between the tackles

During Saturday’s scrimmage, the running backs often took advantage of gaps off tackle, but weren’t nearly as successful running between the tackles, where the defensive linemen clogged up the gaps more often than not. Nose tackle Wayne Williams, even with a banged-up elbow, effectively shed a few blocks and brought down ball carriers at the line, allowing only minimal gain. As the younger players saw the field later on, freshmen Jalen Harvey and Kayton Samuels also fought through traffic to make stops in the trenches.

•Head coach Scott Shafer was also pleased with the performance of defensive end Ron Thompson, a converted tight end, who helped the defensive line make up for the absences of tackles Ryan Sloan and Eric Crume on Saturday. Thompson, in addition to Robinson and defensive tackle Isaiah Johnson, were also part of the offensive line during field-goal attempts.

5. Rodney Williams rising

The freshman, listed on the preseason depth chart as the third-string free safety, saw time with the first unit during Saturday’s scrimmage. Though receiver Ben Lewis beat Williams on a post for a touchdown in the first series, Williams got him back by tripping up Lewis on a screen for an impressive shoestring tackle in the open field and a loss of yards. Later in the scrimmage, Williams shot through a gap in the line right off the snap and sacked Kimble.

Published on August 9, 2014 at 7:25 pm

Contact Phil: pmdabbra@syr.edu | @PhilDAbb