Syracuse Football: 3 takeaways from loss to Duke in Week 6

Syracuse football looked to even its record at 2-2 in a home matchup with winless Duke on Saturday, but struggled mightily in a 38-24 loss.

Following a bye week, Syracuse fell flat in a home matchup versus the Duke Blue Devils. Syracuse’s offense was wildly inconsistent, and save for a couple of big plays, struggled to move the ball.

3. Syracuse defense elite at causing turnovers, struggles with fundamentals

Despite allowing 38 points and 645 yards, Syracuse’s defense flashed some potential in this one, forcing four turnovers (three fumbles and an interception). Since 2015, Syracuse has ranked in the top 15 in turnover margin, although the offense has not always been able to capitalize on the takeaways.

Overshadowing the turnovers this afternoon was the glaring lack of fundamental skills. In the first half especially, Syracuse routinely missed tackles, and left receivers wide open down the field. As a result, Duke held the ball for nearly 40 minutes, churning out a startling 36 first downs, and gaining 363 yards on the ground. Both Duke running backs Deon Jackson and Mataeo Durant totaled over 160 yards each.

A key play in the game was the roughing the kicker penalty Syracuse committed toward the end of the first half. The penalty came with Syracuse leading 14-10, and set up Duke in the red zone. Two plays later, Durant ran virtually untouched for a 15-yard touchdown. Following a quick three-and-out, Duke closed out the half with another touchdown, putting Syracuse in a hole they could not climb out of.