Dominant Second Half Pushes Syracuse Past Army
Army controlled the action through the first half, but Syracuse dominated the second on its way to a 29-16 victory to improve to 4-0 on the season. While the Orange was tested through the first two quarters, some would say this battle with Black Knights was exactly what they would need for the upcoming war.
“Army is really disciplined. Playing a team like that, we knew we couldn’t just beat physically, but we had to beat mentally as well," said safety Alijah Clark. “This game will help us play Clemson and the other teams on how to beat them physically and mentally.”
Clark was part of the defense who held things together when Syracuse’s offense needed it most. Despite the nine minute and 17-play drive to open the game for Army with a touchdown, the defense remained relentless. Which is not an easy task when Army’s offense runs the ball around twice as much compared to most teams.
Babers knew what type of team Army was and had been preparing the defense all week. In practice the defense would typically go three and out, but this week they practiced going four and out with the anticipation for Army going for it on fourth down. The preparation was spot on for what transpired in the game.
With the defense keeping the game close in the first half, Shrader was able to reset at half time after only scoring three points. When he stepped back onto the field, the connection between him and the receivers was the best we have seen since Oronde Gadsden was out of the mix.
“I tell the receivers that someone should have one hundred yards every game, it's just a matter of who each week,” said Garrett Shrader.
This week it was Damien Alford’s time to shine as he had a career high of 135 yards. Alford said he was going to take the night to enjoy the day’s work but once tomorrow hit, it would be back to work preparing for Clemson. However, if tonight this game taught him anything, he said it taught him one thing.
“Sky is the limit,” said Alford.
There are no truer words said as Syracuse will enter another game versus Clemson and go into conference play undefeated.
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