Both of Syracuse’s (5-2, 2-2 Atlantic Coast) starting cornerbacks, Christopher Fredrick and Scoop Bradshaw, left Saturday’s win over North Carolina with injuries.

Fredrick left the game with an apparent leg injury after defending a deep pass in the first quarter. After the game, SU head coach Dino Babers said that Fredrick has a sprained ankle. He did not return to the game Saturday but should be back, Babers said.

Early in the second overtime, Bradshaw left the game hurt, favoring his left arm. Trainers appeared to attend to his wrist. Babers did not provide a specific update on Bradshaw’s injury post game.

“I didn’t check with Scoop,” Babers said, “I’m not sure with Scoop.”

In replacement of Fredrick, Syracuse went to 6-foot-3-inch, 200-pound redshirt freshman Ifeatu Melifonwu at cornerback. Melifonwu, lined up against Anthony Ratliff-Williams, UNC’s No. 1 wide receiver, finished with four pass breakups, including one in single coverage on a post down the left sideline. He also had a five-yard tackle for loss.

“I just knew I was on the boundary, on No. 17, which is their main receiver,” Melifonwu said. “I just thought every time they’re going to try to get the ball to him.”

“I saw like three PBUs,” Babers said, “which is really good. He has long arms, he can stay close to people and I was really proud with the way he played.”

Syracuse hosts No. 16 North Carolina State in the Carrier Dome in one week.

Published on October 20, 2018 at 7:23 pm

Contact Andrew: aegraham@syr.edu | @A_E_Graham