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TagsBY MIKE VORKUNOV
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
1. The score mirrored the play on the field. Rutgers came into this game 10 point favorites and the difference between the two teams seemed even larger. But Syracuse came out and confused and bewildered Rutgers on both sides of the ball from the outset. This was no fluke victory, the Orange dominated. On offense they ran the same plays over and over with much success. On defense, Rutgers could not handle the blitzing Orange. It wasn't hard to see who played like the 25th ranked team in the country: Syracuse.
2. Tom Savage missed home sweet home. Savage looked discombobulated from his first snap and Syracuse's non-stop blitzing did him no favor. And because of the nature of the game, he could not rely on his running game. Greg Schiano said his freshman quarterback never lost his composure, just fell prey to a defense without a stop button. After playing in a dead quiet Michie Stadium, it cannot be debated that in Savage's first true road game, he played like a different quarterback. He held the ball too long at times, and did not display a calm demeanor, evidenced by the time he had to be pulled out of post-play pile.
3. It's possible to lose a game despite blocking a punt, partially blocking another and constantly having starting field position past the 25. That happens when the other two facets of the game play as bad as the special teams played well. Devin McCourty said he had never seen a game where the specials teams did all that and still the game wasn't close.
RELATED:
Fired up Syracuse overwhelms No. 25 Rutgers, 31-13
BOXSCORE: Syracuse 31, Rutgers 13
4. The offensive line was as much the culprit as anyone else. They could not pick up the blitz or give Savage time to throw. It looked like the line that struggled in September. As always, credit starts with the offensive line and it goes both ways.
5. Rutgers did not look prepared and they said as much. From Schiano to the players, they all admitted there were faults in the preparation. This can sometimes be coachspeak but it looked true Saturday afternoon.