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Syracuse football eyes bounce back weekend

Head Coach Fran Brown talks with running back Malachi James (36, blue).
cuse.com
Head Coach Fran Brown talks with running back Malachi James (36, blue).

With the seconds trickling away, Stanford kicker Emmet Kenny booted a 39-yard field goal through the uprights to seal the victory over Syracuse. Fast-forward a week, and Cuse head coach Fran Brown is tired of hearing about his team's first defeat of the year.

"We can't change what happened when coach Fran lost the game. I kind of said that, and we keep wanting to bring that same thing back up, so that's completely me, and we'll fix everything else up," Brown said early in the week.

With Syracuse (2–1, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) turning its attention to FCS side Holy Cross (1–3, 0-0 Patriot League Conference), coach Brown does not want his team to underestimate the Crusaders. "I think they (Holy Cross) have a really good quarterback and a couple of good receivers," Brown said.

Even with Holy Cross possessing some talented offensive weapons, Syracuse's last defeat against the Massachusetts side was in 1958. The most recent meeting was four years ago when the Orange pummeled the Crusaders 41-3. With another comfortable SU win expected, reserves may get increased game time on Saturday.

Freshman running back Yasin Willis has just eight carries on the year. However, the New Jersey native was listed as the number one recruit in the state by Rivals.

Wideout Jackson Meeks can build off his best performance of the year against Stanford, where the Georgia transfer had three receptions for 40 yards and one score.

Coach Brown said the senior is embracing the expanded role. "He (Meeks) is becoming a leader. That was his first time scoring a collegiate touchdown, so that was good for him," Brown said.

Another new receiver who is yet to make any impact is Justus Ross-Simmons. The junior came to Central New York from Colorado State, although he missed the first two games with an injury. The Rochester native was on the field against Stanford but did not tally a reception.

Perhaps the biggest question if the game gets out of hand is who steps in at quarterback.

Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (16, Orange) getting tackled last season against Boston College
cuse.com
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (16, Orange) getting tackled last season against Boston College

Carlos Del Rio-Wilson remains on the SU roster. However, the redshirt juniors' last game did not go particularly well. The Atlanta native completed just seven passes and threw four interceptions.

Coach Brown could look the way of Michael Johnson Jr. The redshirt senior comes over from Florida Atlantic.

No matter who is on the field for Syracuse against Holy Cross, the Dome is announced as sold out, as it is a family weekend. Kickoff on Saturday is at noon; join us on WAER at 11:30 for the countdown to kick off.

Carlos Del Rio-Wilson remains on the SU roster. However, the redshirt juniors' last game did not go particularly well. The Atlanta native completed just seven passes and threw four interceptions.

Coach Brown could look the way of Michael Johnson Junior. The redshirt senior comes over from Florida Atlantic.

No matter who is on the field for Syracuse vs. Holy Cross, the Dome is expected to be sold out, as it is a family weekend. Kickoff on Saturday is at Noon; join us on WAER at 11:30 for the countdown to kick off.