Quick Hits: After initial miscues, Syracuse shuts down Western Michigan

Syracuse routed Western Michigan, 48-7, on Saturday afternoon. Here are some quick hits from the win, which improved the Orange to 2-0.

It would have been difficult for Syracuse to get off to a worse start. Western Michigan’s Jalen Buckley ripped off a 75-yard rushing touchdown on the second play from scrimmage. Following SU’s second play from scrimmage, Oronde Gadsden II limped off with an apparent leg injury, then headed to the locker room.

Later in the drive, Damien Alford dropped what would have been a wide open 18-yard touchdown pass and the Orange settled for a 36-yard field goal by Brady Denaburg. Shortly after, Gadsden returned to the field midway through the first quarter on crutches with his right foot in a walking boot.

On the field, things turned around with the Denaburg field goal and SU never looked back. Syracuse scored touchdowns on their next five drives, then tacked on Jason Simmons’ 83-yard interception return on the final play of the first half.

Juwaun Price was a workhorse for the Orange from the five-minute mark of the second quarter through the first play of the fourth. Price surpassed his previous career totals at Syracuse against the Broncos in that time, finishing with 16 carries for 68 yards. Prior to that, Price had tallied 57 yards on 14 carries for SU.

Aside from the 75-yard touchdown burst, the Orange run defense proved to be very stingy, giving up 55 yards on 21 rushing attempts (sacks removed). All told, SU allowed 4.36 yards per play and permitted the Broncos to convert 5-of-17 third downs in the game. Western Michigan was even worse before the final quarter, going just 2-of-12 on third down through three periods.

D’Marcus Adams gave more reason to hope for an accelerated return to action for Trebor Pena, muffing one punt and fumbling while returning another. While he is averaging 9.1 yards per return on the season, ball security is an obvious concern for Adams and may also cut into his playing time at wide receiver.

Gadsden’s injury was not the only one of concern that befell the Orange. Right tackle David Wohlabaugh Jr. left the game late in the second quarter with a left leg injury and was unable to put any weight on that leg when leaving the field. He went to the locker room on crutches and was replaced on the field by Mark Petry.

While coach Dino Babers said after the game that there is concern that Wohlabuagh’s injury may cost him some extended time, Garrett Shrader said offensive line reinforcements Joe More and Kalan Ellis should be returning next week.

After seven penalties in the opener, SU committed nine infractions for 72 yards in the game, four coming in the third quarter. Looks like this issue will once again last the full season.

Purdue (1-1) bounced back from their season-opening 39-35 loss at home against Fresno State by slogging through multiple weather delays to beat Virginia Tech on the road, 24-17. The Boilermakers kicked off at noon Eastern and the final gun did not come for nine hours.

While Purdue got a handful of dynamic plays in their opener, their offense was much more a machine of efficiency against the Hokies. After getting scores of 84 (reception) and 98 yards (kickoff return) in their opener, the Boilermakers had three completions of more than 20 yards (with a long of 36) and a run of 22.

Purdue’s defense performed well against Virginia Tech, giving up 44 rushing yards (sacks removed), but struggled to stop the air attack for the second straight game. For the second straight week, the Boilermakers gave up eight completions of at least 15 yards.

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