Syracuse dominates Louisville in season-opener
Syracuse picked up a dominant 31-7 victory over Louisville on Saturday night.
The Orange limited Malik Cunningham and the Cardinals’ offense to just 1 touchdown. Cunningham was picked off twice — including once in the end zone — and threw for just 152 total yards.
Offensively, Syracuse looked comfortable under new offensive coordinator Robert Anae. Quarterback Garrett Shrader had arguably the best passing game of his career: 237 yards and 2 touchdowns with a 64% completion rate.
Shrader also rushed for 95 yards and Syracuse continued to be a run-heavy offense. Star running back Sean Tucker carried the ball 21 times for a game-high 98 yards and 1 touchdown.
He broke away for a 55-yard touchdown in the first quarter:
Sean Tucker's 55-yard touchdown had The Dome rocking 🍊 @CuseFootball pic.twitter.com/6zrlXzqnaU
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) September 4, 2022
This win relieves some of the pressure that’s been put on head coach Dino Babers. The Orange are trying to make it back to their first bowl game since 2018 — and their second with Babers at the helm.
With this win now secure, Syracuse could be in position to make a bowl game if it continues on this trajectory. Syracuse faces UConn in Week 2 and will finish up nonconference play with Purdue in Week 3 Wagner in Week 4. The Orange also still have ACC games remaining vs. Virginia, Boston College and Wake Forest.
Syracuse and UConn kick off at 7 p.m. ET next week.