Closing out games is a step forward
The Syracuse Orange dominated the UConn Huskies in every category but the final score. Fans were upset by the second straight game which came down to an onside kick recovery, but let’s take a step back.
Syracuse moved to 8-3 in a game where they lost Trebor Pena at halftime. A game they played without Marcellus Barnes, Jayden Bellamy and Alijah Clark in the secondary. A game where they had two touchdowns wiped out by penalties and two missed field goals. As they have all season, the Orange were their own biggest opponent, but they made enough plays to win for the eighth time this season.
This is the fifth season since 2000 where the Orange have won at least 8 games. No matter what you think about the strength of schedule, or the missed opportunities, Syracuse heads into next week’s final game against Miami with a chance to tie the highest-win total since 2000.
Back in spring we heard Fran Brown tell his team this message
“Entitlement will not live here!”
Listen to a fired up Fran Brown coach the O-Line group this morning:@NunesMagician pic.twitter.com/KWjpwSBDO5
— Mike Ostrowski (@MOstrowski_) April 18, 2024
Today we remind Syracuse fans. We’ve lived through the last 20+ seasons of disappointments, false hope and short-lived success. We should not get too bogged down in missed assignments, poor angles and a coaching staff who plays conservative with a two-score lead in the final five minutes.
Folks- enjoy it. Let’s not spend this week rehashing the Stanford 4th down play or worrying about the 2025 schedule or who replaces McCord. As Syracuse fans we know this success is far from guaranteed, so while the Orange players need to keep learning how to win, fans can do the same.
No matter what happens next Saturday, Syracuse has had a strong season under Brown and it would be a shame if we can’t appreciate that because we are too focused on the past and the future. Live in the now and Go Orange!