Defense on Display as No. 18 Syracuse Hosts No. 15 NC State

Football
October 11, 2022

The two best defenses in the Atlantic Coast Conference will be on display Saturday when No. 18 Syracuse hosts No. 15 North Carolina State.

The surprising Orange (5-0, 2-0) have the top-ranked defense in the conference, allowing 271.6 yards per game. The Wolfpack (5-1, 1-1) aren’t far behind at 297.8 yards per game, setting up an intriguing matchup between two tough squads.

They also rank 1-2 in scoring defense.

“This is 15 rounds. Heavyweight,” said Syracuse coach Dino Babers. “There’s going to be some slugging. There’ll be some shots. You’re going to get hit hard and how you handle that is going to affect the game. That’s for everyone that’s out there on the football field. It’ll be a physical contest.”

Both teams have been impressive on offense, as well. Syracuse is averaging 38.4 points, punctuated by a 59-0 rout of FCS foe Wagner in their last contest. The Orange were so dominant that the teams agreed to go to 10-minute quarters in the second half with Syracuse up 49-0 at intermission.

NC State, meanwhile, is averaging 30.5 points on the season. The Wolfpack are coming off their lowest offensive total in a 19-17 home win over Florida State, although the team lost quarterback Devin Leary to an arm injury in the third quarter and had to rely on backup Jack Chambers to pull out the close victory.

Chambers threw only one pass in relief of Leary but guided three drives that resulted in field goals as the Wolfpack rallied from a 17-3 deficit. They trailed 17-10 when Chambers entered the game and the three field goals proved to be enough.

“How about Jack Chambers?” NC State coach Dave Doeren said. “I mean,…