LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Scott Shafer had “no idea” Kyle Bolin would start at quarterback for Louisville on Saturday.

The sophomore quarterback played only three games this year, but saw significant time against Clemson on Sept. 17. After Reggie Bonnafon was listed as out on Louisville’s (5-4, 4-2 Atlantic Coast) injury report on Thursday, Syracuse began honing in its preparation on Bolin and freshman Lamar Jackson.

Eventually it was Bolin who got his third career start in a 41-17 win over Syracuse (3-6, 1-4) on Saturday at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. He went 24-of-35 for three touchdowns and 362 yards, the third most passing yards SU has allowed this season.

“We weren’t sure, but we were thinking it could happen,” Shafer said of Jackson missing the game after suffering an ankle injury last week. “So, got to try and prepare for both of them but we didn’t do a good enough job of defending Louisville, period.”

Bolin is more of a traditional pocket passer while Jackson is also a threat with his legs. Jackson is not only Louisville’s leading passer but also its leading rusher with 484 yards on 112 carries this season.

Last week, when the Orange played Florida State, the Seminoles went to backup Sean Maguire while starter Everett Golson battled lingering concussion symptoms. Shafer said SU didn’t prepare for Maguire because the only time he’d seen all season was in mop-up duty.

This week, though, Syracuse prepared two different game plans for the two different styles it might face not knowing whether it would be Jackson or Bolin.

“We just went to our base rules to handle him,” linebacker Zaire Franklin said, “but it’s tough when a team just keeps switching quarterbacks and we came in preparing to play (Jackson). I don’t even think (Jackson) touched the field at all.”

Bolin had success against a secondary that has struggled all season and was especially limited since starting cornerback Corey Winfield was out with a lower-body injury.

For the second straight week, the Orange allowed more than 340 passing yards to a backup quarterback. Whether it was finding soft spots in SU’s zone or lobbing perfect touch passes into the end zone, Bolin took advantage of his opportunity.

“I would anticipate Kyle being the starter next week,” Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino said. “He earned that with his performance today.”

Published on November 8, 2015 at 7:02 pm

Contact Paul: pmschwed@syr.edu | @pschweds