Football

Stock up/Stock down: Jordan Fredericks impresses against Rhode Island

David Salanitri | Staff Photographer

Jordan Fredericks impressed in his first game with Syracuse, running for 103 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries in SU's 47-0 win over Rhode Island on Friday.

By Paul SchwedelsonSenior Staff Writer

Judging by the scoreboard, Syracuse’s 47-0 season-opening win over Rhode Island couldn’t have gone any better. But as SU’s rotation of players continues to be sorted out in the early part of the season, two key developments occurred on Friday night.

Stock Up

Jordan Fredericks, freshman running back

With Devante McFarlane on the sideline and the Orange opening up an early lead, Fredericks received significant playing time behind junior George Morris. Two-thirds of the way through the first quarter, Fredericks took his first collegiate handoff for 31 yards, SU’s longest run of the game, immediately putting Syracuse in field-goal range. With a 14-0 lead to start the second quarter, Fredericks racked up 32 yards on five runs during a 13-play, 76-yard drive that ended with a field goal.

On Wednesday, head coach Scott Shafer said Fredericks was ready to play and the freshman proved Shafer right with 103 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.

“(Fredericks) knows the offense inside out,” Shafer said on Wednesday. “He’s got good football IQ. Like a lot of our freshmen, we have a lot of smart kids on this team that pick things up quicker than a lot of freshmen do and Jordan’s one of those guys.”



Stock Down

Austin Wilson, sophomore quarterback

With starting quarterback Terrel Hunt sustaining a season-ending injury just seven minutes into the game, the Orange had to turn to backup freshman quarterback Eric Dungey. Third-string sophomore quarterback Austin Wilson got in during the fourth quarter and perhaps the quarterback battle could have heated up with a strong performance, but Wilson didn’t complete his only pass attempt. Meanwhile, Dungey went 10-for-17 for 114 yards and two touchdowns.

Immediately after the game, a reporter asked SU offensive coordinator Tim Lester if Dungey would “definitely” be the starter if Hunt is out for more games. Lester said yes, which bodes poorly for Wilson after losing the backup spot to a true freshman.

“I mean, (Dungey) played well and he showed it in camp,” Lester said. “He had the second best numbers and the guy with the second best numbers is the guy you’re playing. So, unless something crazy happens, he’ll be the guy, if Terrel is out any more.”





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