’Noles push to extend win streak vs. Orange
FSU aims to contain Dungey, jump-start lagging rushing attack
TALLAHASSEE — Florida State is looking to hand Syracuse its first loss of the season and keep its current 10-game win streak against the Orange alive.
The Carrier Dome’s hostile environment is the setting for FSU’s first road game of the season. The Seminoles (1-1, 0-1 ACC) are 10-1 all-time against the Orange (2-0, 0-0 ACC).
The key matchup kicks off at noon today and will air on ESPN.
“We haven’t beaten those guys in I don’t know how often,” Syracuse coach Dino Babers said. “[FSU] Coach [Willie] Taggart … beat us with the University of South Florida personnel two years ago, and Florida State’s personnel and talent is way, way above that.
“It’s going to be a very difficult task that we have on Saturday.”
For the third consecutive week, FSU will face a strong quarterback. Eric Dungey was the ACC player of the week after leading the Orange to a 55-42 win over Western Michigan during Week 1 of the season. Dungey has thrown for 467 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception so far this season.
Taggart lauded Dungey’s dual-threat skills.
“He’s a phenomenal athlete, great competitor and he causes you problems,” Taggart said of Dungey.
Syracuse does not rely on one or two players for offensive production. Six offensive players average at least 56 yards per game, including wide receiver Jamal Custis who averages 104.5 yards a game.
“As a defense, you’ve definitely got to stay focused, but you never know where the ball is going to go,” Taggart said. “… In their offense, they can get it to anybody. You’ve got to be sound in what you’re doing, disciplined.”
During the Orange’s upset of Clemson last year, Dungey accounted for three touchdowns and his receivers averaged 13.9 yards per reception against the Tigers’ powerful defense.
Syracuse’s up-tempo offense is similar to Taggart’s attack, so FSU’s practice has prepared the Seminoles for what they will see on game day.
“Coach T’s offense, playing against them all the time, I’m used to knowing what to do now,” FSU nose guard Fred Jones said. “It’s going to be fun.”
Cornerback Levonta Taylor added, “We know how the game is going to flow. We know they are going to try to go as fast as they can. Trick plays. Bubble screens. Stuff like that. All of that comes into play when we play Syracuse.”
FSU’s running game has struggled during the first two weeks, averaging 3.62 yards per rush.
“A lot of our problems are fundamental, technique,” Taggart said of the stalled run game. “It’s not physically getting whipped. It’s just blocking and doing things the right way.
“Then there’s times again where I felt like our backs are pressing too much and they’re not reading their reads and there are some holes they missed, some reads they missed, too.”
While the Seminoles are working to get back into elite shape, the Orange don’t see this as an easy opportunity.
“These guys are ready to explode on somebody, and I hope it’s not us,” Babers said.