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Following the worst loss under Fran Brown, Syracuse bounced back with a 38-31 overtime win over Virginia Tech. Looking to start a new winning streak and stay alive in the Atlantic Coast Conference’s regular season title race, the Orange traveled to face Boston College.

The Eagles quickly established their dominant running game, notching 122 first-quarter rushing yards en route to a 7-0 lead. SU’s scoreless opening quarter marked its third straight game not scoring a point in the first 15 minutes. The Orange then fell behind 14-0 in the second quarter, but they rallied 21 unanswered points to give them a 21-14 lead midway through the third.

However, BC regained a 30-21 lead entering the fourth quarter. While Syracuse chipped into its deficit with a touchdown, Boston College embarked on a 10-play, 78-yard drive ending with a fourth-and-1 touchdown conversion, all but sealing its 37-31 win. Now, the Orange will travel across the country looking to bounce back against California Saturday.

“It’s going to be a fun game. I’m excited to go against them, as you can see every game in the ACC is coming down to the end of the game, so I’m excited to go compete against (Cal),” Brown said.

Here are some takeaways from Brown’s weekly press conference before Syracuse (6-3, 3-3 ACC) faces Cal (5-4, 1-4 ACC):

Reflecting on 4th downs

In Brown’s eyes, two plays are the difference between the Orange being 8-1 and 6-3. Both have come on fourth down. The most recent was BC’s fourth-and-1 touchdown, where tight end Jeremiah Franklin slipped down the seam wide-open for an easy score.

When asked about the play, Brown says a “certain defender” wanted to do someone else’s job, resulting in Franklin becoming unguarded. Brown explained each person on the team has their own job to do before emphasizing the team flows better and everything becomes simpler the more everyone does their job. The first-year head coach then shouldered some of the blame on himself.

“I got (to) put them in a better situation,” he said.

That play wasn’t the first time SU crumbled on a critical fourth down. In its first loss against Stanford, Syracuse could’ve sealed a win with a fourth-and-9 stop in the fourth quarter’s final minute. Yet, Ashton Daniels connected with wide receiver Elic Ayomanor for 27 yards, setting up Emmet Kenney’s game-winning field goal.

“Two plays have changed our season, and that’s football,” Brown said.

After only losing one game as Georgia’s defensive backs coach from 2022-23, Brown says he’s learned a lot this year. When reflecting, he added he has to be ready to coach and give the best play call for his players to put them in the best possible position.

“You never know what play could be the play that changes the season, for good or for bad,” Brown said.

Defensive personnel

In SU’s loss to Boston College, it surrendered a season-high 313 rushing yards. Yet, the Orange continuously trotted out formations containing just three defensive linemen. When first asked about potentially displaying a four-man front, Brown said the Orange will try to display a mixture of everything.

He then explained he wants to do a better job giving his star defenders, Fadil Diggs and Marlowe Wax, chances to succeed. First, Brown said he wants to give Diggs the opportunity to do what he does best — blitz and get after the quarterback. Meanwhile, Brown added he wants to give Wax opportunities to use his vision in the middle of the field.

“You just want to put the players in the best position to maximize their abilities,” Brown said.

When later asked about stacking the box, Brown deflected toward praising Boston College’s coaching staff, specifically head coach Bill O’Brien.

“How do you want me to say it, in Spanish right now? What do you want me to tell you? He outcoached me, he put more in the box,” Brown said. “We (didn’t) have enough in the box. We weren’t able to defend power or counter. He ran it over and over.”

Other notes

Brown added notes on multiple other topics around the program. Jackson Kennedy has taken over as SU’s primary place-kicker, going 2-for-2 on field goals and 7-for-7 on extra points.

“There’s no more competition unless he makes it go wide right or wide left,” Brown said of Kennedy.

Brown called Cal’s Nohl Williams “probably” the best corner SU will face this year. He has seven interceptions and five passes defended this year.

Despite losing to veteran coaches Pat Narduzzi and O’Brien, Brown says he’s not afraid of facing veteran coaches.

“I’m not backing down from anybody, I think it’s the opposite in all reality,” Brown said.

Lastly, Brown revealed he doesn’t shower after losses because he “just be mad.” The first-year head coach said he doesn’t deserve soap and “all that.”

“You gotta earn the right to do certain things. So, winners get washed. I’m a loser. I just gotta wait a little bit,” Brown said.

Published on November 11, 2024 at 7:23 pm

Contact Justin: justingirshon@gmail.com | @JustinGirshon