The last time anyone rushed for 1,000 yards for Syracuse was 2012, when Jerome Smith gained 1,171 yards on 5.2 yards per carry. Smith netted 914 yards the following year. No one has reached 607 yards since.

While SU made some of the top wideout production in the country in the past two years with Amba Etta-Tawo and Steve Ishmael, the Orange are without an emerging threat through the 2018 preseason. The backfield may need to emerge as a reliable threat, something it has struggled to do since Smith’s production in 2012.

“Guys want to change the culture around here,” junior Moe Neal said. “We’re trying to be great each and every day.”

Last year, the Orange ranked 84th in the nation on the ground (4.0 yards per carry). To take a leap forward to bowl eligibility, a surge in backfield production may help.

Last season, Neal and senior Dontae Strickland rushed for a combined 970 yards, averaging 5.3 and 3.8 yards per carry, respectively. Quarterback, and now senior, Eric Dungey led the team in rushing with 595 yards on a team-leading 143 carries.

The rushing attack took a leap of more than 500 yards from SU head coach Dino Babers’ first year in 2016 to his second in 2017 — but much of that had to do with Dungey’s 302 yard increase from his sophomore to junior season.

It starts at the line of scrimmage for the Orange this season, several players have said. Last year, the Orange offense played behind a young and inexperienced offensive line. Airon Servais and Sam Heckel were both thrust into starting roles after redshirting in 2016. Combined with Aaron Roberts’ season-ending injury before the season, that caused an adjustment period for the SU offense.

“Our first game reps came with guys that already had some experience out there,” Servais said. “It’s just game-by-game we learn a little bit about each other, and we know how each other plays. And by the end we’re one unit rather than five separate guys blocking out there.”

Strickland and Neal call themselves the “thunder and lightning,” respectively, of the team. They’re both working to add the other element to their game.

Strickland spent much of fall camp working on his agility in the open field, something which comes naturally to Neal. Neal has tried to match Strickland’s power, working on converting in goal-line situations and digging into the trenches.

“(Strickland) gets that tough yardage, and that’s something that I want to work on as well,” Neal said, “being able to get those tough inside yards.”

But as much as the unit is looking to improve its ability on the ground, it’s also working to protect Dungey. In addition to that improved and more experienced offensive line, the running back unit has constantly been working on keeping Dungey upright, Neal said.

“Just trying to get more knowledgeable in the game,” Neal said. “Understanding defenses, where the blitz is coming from, being able to pass protect better.”

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That will be crucial to the team’s success as the Orange’s record without Dungey is just 1-9 since 2015.

Neal and Strickland have also been working to improve on their pass catching out of the backfield to give Dungey quick-hit options. Last season Neal averaged 14.2 yards per catch and Strickland added 7.9. Both backs expect their workload as receivers out of the backfield to increase in 2018.

When they receive the ball, both have proven the ability to gain chunk yardage, and receiving out of the backfield could be another way to keep Dungey intact.

“I think that really takes some pressure off of Eric,” Servais said. “He can be at ease. He can sit back, hand the ball off and watch us ride.”

Published on August 29, 2018 at 12:16 am

Contact Matt: mdliberm@syr.edu