Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Orange Release Depth Chart



With the season opener just four days away, the Orange has released its two-deep for the Villanova game.

The 'Cuse depth chart features a number of returning student-athletes who've seen significant playing time and plenty of seniors.

"We have a team with some experience," said head coach Scott Shafer. "There will be some guys at key positions that are younger guys who we're counting on, but the bulk of the unit is back. That's really a good thing going into the first game against a good opponent. Having some of that 'been there, done that' mindset is going to go a long way on Friday night."

The Orange offense features nine seniors in starting roles, with seven seniors listed as starters on defense.

Shafer hopes the experience will help the Orange against an experienced opponent in Villanova, that is led by quarterback John Robertson.

"He's a very good football player," Shafer said. "He's a bright kid with great feet. He's quick and throws the ball well but runs the ball really well. They're schemed such that we're going to see all different formations, jet sweeps, quarterback reads and quarterback inside-outside takes, so it'll be real interesting when we get into this thing because they like to push the pace.

"They like to up the tempo, especially against the BCS opponents. We're prepared to go against that, but I'm sure we're going to have some hills and valleys throughout the course of the game."

Monday, August 25, 2014

Three Walk-Ons Granted Scholarships



A trio of Syracuse student-athletes were surprised with scholarships for the year by head coach Scott Shafer this week.

For the second year in a row, senior walk-ons Clay Cleveland and Joe Nassib were awarded scholarships by Shafer and this season they were joined by senior running back Greg Tobias.

"They're three young men who really epitomize what a student-athlete should be at Syracuse," Shafer said. "They're excellent students, unselfish, diligent young men with high GPAs. They go to practice every day knowing that they're going to get pummeled and they keep coming back. They're tough, hard-nosed kids who go to class and do a great job and I'm really pleased that we were able to put them on scholarship."

Cleveland has played in 29 games as a member of the Orange. He caught a pair of touchdown passes against Tulane last season as part of his six receptions on the year.

Nassib, a three-time letterwinner, has seen time in 35 games at 'Cuse primarily on special teams. The Newton Square, Pennsylvania native was a member of the Big East All-Academic Team in 2012.

Tobias, who had two rushes for 16 yards against Wagner last season, has seen action in four games at Syracuse.

"I'll never let money sit around when I can give it to a young man that deserves it," Shafer said.

Cleveland, Nassib, Tobias and the rest of the Orange are now looking ahead to Villanova.

Syracuse is now inside of one week before the season opener and Shafer is looking forward to taking on the Wildcats.

"Andy Talley is one of the best football coaches in the NCAA and his teams are fun to watch," Shafer said. "We're going to have our hands full. Their offense is fast-paced, especially when they play BCS schools. We'll have a great challenge, a great opportunity and I'm looking forward to getting to Friday night."

Top Links from Aug. 23 and 24 on the Orange:
Cuse Nation: Eskridge Ready to Dominate
Daily Orange: Solidified Quarterback Position Puts Orange in Better Situation
Daily Orange: Syracuse Plans to Spread Carries Through Deep RB Unit

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Shafer Welcomes Back Students

Orange Move into Game Prep



The countdown to Villanova has reached single digits.

The Orange will welcome the Villanova to the Carrier Dome in just nine days and the team has shifted from the daily activities from training camp fully to game preparation.

"As we look forward here, we kind of have a break in camp after tonight's meetings," Shafer said. "We'll come back and start to have practices that are a little shorter because we have time to prepare for Villanova. So rather than have practices that are 110 or 120 minutes, we'll have 90-minute type situations once we start the practice itself and we'll go through all the situational things that we've already started to work on with the kids out on the practice field for Villanova."

'Cuse went through a situational scrimmage on Wednesday inside the Carrier Dome, with head coach Scott Shafer putting the team through a number of game-like situations to prepare them for what they might face against the Wildcats.

"We had a good day of work," Shafer said. "We went out and had a mock up scrimmage with no pads on so it was really a mock scrimmage. But it was good we got through a lot of special teams and a lot of transitional stuff that will come up on Friday against Villanova. All-in-all I thought the kids did well. We ran 74 plays and I think I only saw two foul ups so hopefully I can say the same after the Villanova game."

With the majority of preseason behind the Orange, Shafer feels good about the mentality that his group has developed in their time together this summer.

"I like this team," Shafer said. "I think they're an unselfish team. They work hard to take care of one another. I was actually really impressed with the maturity of the captains vote. For our kids to vote a long snapper as one of the captains says a lot about the way they look at each other. Sam Rodgers just snaps the ball – I say just, but he's a very important player for any game we're in – but his level of maturity and his unselfishness, he serves the community probably more than anyone on the team, not just here in town but he's also done missions in Haiti and headed up our Lift-for-Life event. For me, that's the one thing I started to learn about this team is that I think it's a mature team that has a sense of brotherhood for one another."

Top Links from Aug. 20 on the Orange:
Cuse Nation: Getting Up To Speed
Cuse Confidential: Offense Ready to Move

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

'Syracuse Football Preview' to Premiere Wednesday


In advance of next week's season opener, Time Warner Cable Sports Channel will premiere the "Orange Football Preview" show on Wednesday Aug. 20 at 11 p.m. across New York.

Viewers will see exclusive interviews with head coach Scott Shafer as well as one-on-one interviews with defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough, offensive coordinator George McDonald and defensive line coach Tim Daoust.

The hour-long program will give fans a comprehensive look at the 'Cuse football team as well as look at the ACC as a whole. The Show will be hosted by Matt Park and Brian Higgins and feature analysis from former Orange running back Robert Drummond.

Fans who miss Wednesday's showing will have plenty of other opportunities to catch up on the Orange ahead of next Friday's season-opener as it will air 12 times before the game.

Show Times:
Aug. 20: 11 p.m.
Aug. 21: 6 p.m.
Aug. 24: 5 p.m.
Aug. 25: 2 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Aug, 26: 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Aug. 27: 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Aug. 28: 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Inside the Meeting Room: Linebackers and Defensive Backs



Ever wonder what it's like during training camp meetings? Linebackers coach Clark Lea and defensive backs coach Fred Reed take you inside what it's like inside the walls of the Orange meeting rooms.

More from Day 18 of Training Camp:



Top Stories from Aug. 19 on the Orange: