Led by second-year head coach Scott Shafer, the Orange return 15 starters from their 2013-14 squad that finished the year 7-6 and surprised quite a few people following the departure of former head coach Doug Marrone to the Buffalo Bills after the 2012 season. Syracuse beat Minnesota in thrilling fashion in the 2013 Texas Bowl, scoring with 1:14 left in the game to secure a 21-17 victory and second consecutive bowl win.
Syracuse had an interesting season last year, as it was able to dominate Tulane in a 52-17 victory, but turned around and got thrashed by Georgia Tech 56-0 four weeks later. This year, Shafer will look to establish some consistency on the defensive side of the field. Outside linebacker Cameron Lynch will contribute this following a 2013-14 campaign in which he posted eight tackles for loss in addition to four sacks and two interceptions.
Offensively, the Orange return senior quarterback Terrel Hunt, who threw for 10 touchdowns, rushed for seven more, in addition to running backs Prince-Tyson Gulley and George Morris II. The duo combined for 831 yards on the ground and will have to replace the 953 yards put up by Jerome Smith, who left early for the NFL.
The Orange will host Duke Nov. 8 in the first matchup between the two schools as conference opponents.
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