Role players shine as key starters sit-out Syracuse’s Orange and Blue football scrimmage

All eyes are on the Syracuse Orange football team after last season’s 5-7 record. The Orange held its spring football game Friday evening inside the Carrier Dome, televised for the first time on ACC Network.

This game was fans’ first look at some of the new faces on and off the field for this upcoming season. Along with the new faces comes a new goal.

This upcoming season will be head coach Dino Babers’ seventh season with the SU. With only one winning season to his name at Syracuse, this year will be important.

Last season the orange were only one win away from bowl eligibility. Friday night’s game was a look to see if the Orange will be able to get that done this year.

Key starters missing:

Syracuse sat four offensive starters: quarterback Garrett Shrader, running back Sean Tucker, fullback Chris Elmore and offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron.

Shrader sat out of Friday night’s scrimmage with what Babers called a tweaked hamstring.

Another quarteback put on a show:

The quarterback that took most of the spotlight was redshirt freshman Justin Lamson. Lamson showed off his strengths – his ability to pass and what his legs were capable of.

After throwing mostly shorter passes throughout the night, a 75-yard touchdown pass to Damien Alford proved deep passes are in his playbook, too. Lamson finished the game seven of 10 passing for 151 yards.

The Orange return last season’s receiving core:

The wide receivers might have been the most important players to watch throughout the evening, though. Last season Syracuse had the worst passing offense in the ACC. Friday’s scrimmage gave fans a sneak peek at what to expect this fall.

With a wide receiver room that consists of returning players like Courtney Jackson, Devaughn Cooper, Anthony Queeley and Alford, second-year players that only got a taste of playing for the Orange last season got to shine some on Friday.

Redshirt freshman Umari Hatcher caught a 35-yard pass for one of Lamson’s two touchdown passes of the evening.

The backfield looks solid, even without Tucker:

Although Tucker did not play, Syracuse fans saw two solid options for who could be the primary backup.

Juwaun Price, a transfer from New Mexico State, was the games leading rusher with 64 yards on six carries. Freshman LeQuint Allen got in on the action, too, He left a mark on Orange fans with his 41-yard touchdown run.

The next time Orange fans watch their football team in the Carrier Dome, it’ll be at Syracuse’s home opener against Louisville on September 1.