Syracuse (2-3, 0-1) is still in search of its first ACC win after the orange was blown out by Clemson 49-14 in the Carrier Dome last Saturday. Now SU turns its attention towards an N.C State (3-2, 0-2) team who is also looking for its first conference win after to losing to Wake Forest 28-13.
The Wolfpack will host the orange in Raleigh at 3:30 on Saturday. Coach Shafer knows that it will be a hostile environment. "I coached at NC State in the late 90s, and it gets loud there. They have a great fan base,” said Shafer.
The Syracuse defense was dealt a massive blow to its already weak secondary this week as senior Keon Lyn was ruled out for the rest of the season with a lower body injury.
The orange secondary gave up 468 yards to Clemson last week, but luckily N.C State’s passing offense has been struggling as well. Wolfpack quarterback, Pete Thomas, has only thrown for 1,163 yards for two touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Meanwhile, SU quarterback, Terrel Hunt is recovering from a brutal game. The sophomore was 8/24 with only 52 yards passing and three interceptions. Even with the bad game, Hunt still has the confidence of his head coach, "I'm not worried about Terrel (Hunt). He's gone through much worse things than losing a football game,” Coach Shafer said.
The Syracuse run game had its best game of the season compiling 323 yards on the ground. Captain Jerome Smith led the orange with 125 yards including a huge 66-yard touchdown run. Smith actually leads the ACC in rushing touchdowns with seven on the season.
SU football tries to get back to .500 with a victory in Raleigh this Saturday. WAER has all your coverage starting at 3pm with Countdown to Kickoff on 88.3 FM or www.waer.org.