Syracuse (3-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast) will face No. 8 Louisiana State (2-0, 1-0 Southeastern) in Week 4 looking to continue its perfect start — in terms of won-loss record — to the season. The game will take place on Saturday at noon in the Carrier Dome and will be broadcast on ESPN. Here’s everything you need to know about SU’s third nonconference game of the season.

Searching for answers

It’s not 100 percent clear if Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey will be available on Saturday after suffering a hit to the head in the first half of Syraucse’s 30-27 overtime win over Central Michigan. Scott Shafer said the freshman will probably be doubtful when speaking in his weekly cuse.com video, but he’s still listed as the starter on the Week 4 depth chart.

Austin Wilson and Zack Mahoney split time in the second half, with the latter leading the game-winning drive in overtime.

Mahoney, referred to almost exclusively as “The Officer” by coaches and teammates, came into the season as the fifth-string quarterback behind Terrel Hunt, Dungey, Wilson and AJ Long. Now he might find himself as the starter in Week 4 against the No. 8 team in the country.

Unsung hero

Riley Dixon was one of the bright spots in what was an up-and-down game on Saturday. He had five punts for 252 yards. He won the Ray Guy Award for Player of the Week, awarded to the nation’s best punter each week. During a second half when Syracuse struggled to move the ball down the field, his powerful kicking helped bail the Orange’s offense out.

After the game, SU linebacker and captain Zaire Franklin said that Dixon was the most valuable player on the team. His longest punt of the day traveled 60 yards, while logging an average of 50.4 yards per kick.

Injury Report

• Dungey will “probably be doubtful,” according to Shafer.
• Wide receiver Steve Ishmael was held out of the second half on Saturday. His status for the LSU game is unclear.
• Tight end Josh Parris and center Rob Trudo were hurt in SU’s win over Wake Forest. Neither appeared in the game on Saturday, but Trudo was warming up pregame with Long and Parris was dressed on the sideline.
• Ervin Philips won’t be available for Syracuse’s game against LSU. But if he follows Scott Shafer’s 3-4 week timeline, he’d be available for Syracuse’s next game against South Florida on Oct. 10.

Game-week coverage

For all Syracuse-LSU updates leading up to and during the game, you can follow @DOSports on Twitter and keep up regularly with dailyorange.com.

Published on September 21, 2015 at 2:55 pm

Contact Sam: sblum@syr.edu | @SamBlum3