When Prince-Tyson Gulley was listed as out for Saturday, Devante McFarlane knew he and his roommate, George Morris II, would see more of a workload in Syracuse’s most important game of the season.

“Coach (Scott Shafer) always talks about this,” McFarlane said. “Step up. Next guy in. Everybody step up kind of thing.

“We just used that and we did what we had to do.”

McFarlane finished with six carries for 34 yards while Morris added 10 for 40 and his first career touchdown. The duo, alongside workhorse Jerome Smith, helped Syracuse to the stunning come-from-behind win.

“They’re showing flashes of what they can do,” tackle Sean Hickey said.

In the second quarter with the score knotted at seven, Morris powered Syracuse down the field and eventually into the end zone. He took three straight carries in BC territory, and racked up five rushes for 23 yards on the possession.

His four-yard touchdown scamper with 6:12 to go in the half punctuated a 9-play, 50-yard drive for the Orange.

“George Morris got his first touchdown,” quarterback Terrel Hunt said with a smile.

McFarlane almost scored the second touchdown of his young career, but he was stuffed at the 1-yard line. On the next play, though, Hunt ran it into the end zone to boost Syracuse’s lead to 21-7.

In the third quarter, McFarlane helped bring SU into field goal range with a 12-yard rush to the right side. He juked a defender, bouncing outside and picking up extra yardage.

“I was in the flow,” McFarlane said. “I was pretty focused.”

Morris and McFarlane have emerged as two of the most consistent third- and fourth-string running backs in the ACC. They’ve combined for close to 600 yards and have become reliable options in Gulley’s absence.

“They’re studs,” Hickey said. “They’re young studs.”

Published on December 2, 2013 at 12:40 am

Contact Trevor: tbhass@syr.edu | @TrevorHass