Syracuse QB Terrel Hunt denied sixth year of eligibility

Syracuse Orange quarterback Terrel Hunt was denied a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA.

A sixth season for Syracuse quarterback Terrel Hunt is not in the cards after Friday it was announced the NCAA denied his waiver per a report from Andrea Adelson of ESPN.

He was hoping to get a medical hardship waiver as it has been a rocky road for him. His past two seasons have been cut short by a broken leg, which caused him to miss the last seven games of last season and a torn Achilles’ tendon in this year’s season opener, where he played only the first quarter and has not seen the field since that point.

“Obviously, it’s very disappointing but I want to thank my teammates, coaches and all the Syracuse fans who have supported me through this process and during my time here,” Hunt said in a statement. “Even though my career didn’t turn how I thought it would, I still have a lot of great memories that I’ll take with me for the rest of my life.

“Right now I’m focused on my rehab and on finishing graduate school. I’m getting better every day and hopefully I’ll have the opportunity to continue my career at the professional level.”

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Hunt has been a key part of the Syracuse offense, posting his best numbers during 2013, his sophomore campaign. Throwing for 1,638 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions, including a 265-yard, three touchdown performance against Wagner that year in a game Syracuse won 54-0, he was a playmaker that year for the Orange.

There is no underestimating what he has brought to the program, and it is safe to say that he has been a key weapon in their offensive attack during his time with the program.

Now freshman Eric Dungey, who took over the starting job for the rest of this season after Hunt was injured will have the spotlight to himself moving forward.

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Whoever Syracuse hires in the offseason to replace the fired Scott Shafer will need to get better play from the game’s most important position if the Orange are to compete for a bowl bid next season.