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West Virginia vs Syracuse Camping Bowl Preview

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on

West Virginia

vs

Syracuse

Kickoff: 5:15

Location: Orlando, Fl (Camping World Stadium)

TV: ESPN

Announcers:  Dave Flemming (play-by-play),
Rod Gilmore (analyst) and Quint Kessenich (sideline reporter)

 

Team Stats

Points Per Game42.340.8
Points Allowed Per Game26.527.8
Total Yards520.4467.9
Yards Passing358.1261.5
Yards Rushing162.3206.4
Yards Allowed405.5426.8
Pass Yards Allowed254.6263.0
Rush Yards Allowed150.8163.8

 

 

Syracuse 2018 Schedule and Results

 

DateOpponentResult
Fri, 8/31W55-42
Sat, 9/8W62-10
Sat, 9/15W30-7
Sat, 9/22W51-21
Sat, 9/29L27-23
Sat, 10/6L44-37 OT
Sat, 10/20W40-37 2OT
Sat, 10/27W51-41
Sat, 11/3W41-24
Fri, 11/9W54-23
Sat, 11/17L36-3
Sat, 11/24W42-21

 

 

Syracuse Current Injuries 
PlayerStatusTypeComment
Gabe HoranOutUndisclosedHoran has been sidelined for undisclosed reasons and it is unclear when he will return to action.
Ed HendrixOutKneeHendrix is recovering from knee surgery and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2018 season.
Matt KellerOutAnkleKeller sustained a season-ending ankle injury.
Devon ClarkeOutUndisclosedClarke has been sidelined with an unspecified injury and it is unknown when he will be back in the lineup.
Zach MortonOutKneeMorton is nursing a knee injury and will miss an unknown length of time.
Cooper LutzOutUndisclosedLutz has been sidelined by an unspecified injury and it is unknown when he will return to the lineup.
Jesse ConnersOutWristConners has been sidelined with a wrist injury and it is unclear when he will make his season debut.
Jake PickardOutKneePickard has been sidelined by a knee injury and it is unclear when he will return to the field.
Ifeatu MelifonwuQuestionableHamstringMelifonwu has missed the last four games with a hamstring injury and his availability is unclear for the Camping World Bowl against West Virginia.
Ravian PierceQuestionableUndisclosedPierce is dealing with an unspecified ailment, leaving his status unclear for the Camping World Bowl against West Virginia.
Josh BlackQuestionableLower BodyBlack is dealing with a lower-body injury, leaving his availability clouded for the Camping World Bowl against West Virginia.
Tyrone PerkinsQuestionableLegPerkins missed the last three games nursing a leg injury and his status is uncertain for the Camping World Bowl against West Virginia.
Antwan CordyQuestionablePersonalCordy is tending to a personal situation and it is uncertain if he will play in the Camping World Bowl against West Virginia.
Sean RileyProbableUndisclosedRiley is expected to play in the Camping World Bowl against West Virginia despite an unspecified injury.
Trishton JacksonProbableEligibilityJackson will likely suit up for the Camping World Bowl against West Virginia.
Abdul AdamsProbableEligibilityAdams is likely to play in the Camping World Bowl against West Virginia.

 

 

Syracuse Depth Chart

 

OFFENSE

QB 2 Eric Dungey (6-4, 226, Sr.) 13 Tommy DeVito (6-2, 211, R-Fr.)

RB 21 Moe Neal (5-11, 191, Jr.) OR 4 Dontae Strickland (5-11, 204, Sr.)

WR 80 Taj Harris (6-3, 175, Fr.) 19 Sharod Johnson (5-11 174, R-Rr.)

WR 10 Sean Riley (5-8, 170, Jr.) 82 Nykeim Johnson (5-8, 167, So.)

WR 17 Jamal Custis (6-5, 213, R-Sr.) 81 Cameron Jordan (6-3, 202, R-Fr.)

TE 6 Ravian Pierce (6-3, 244, Sr.) 36 Chris Elmore (6-0, 282, So.)

LT 60 Cody Conway (6-6, 296, Sr.) 52 Carlos VeƩ orello (6-4, 283, Fr.)

LG 59 Aaron Roberts (6-4, 292, R-Sr.) 57 Dakota Davis (6-5, 327, R-Fr.)

C 68 Airon Servais (6-6, 293, R-So.) 75 Sam Heckel (6-4, 294, R-So.)

RG 63 Evan Adams (6-6, 326, R-Jr.) 72 Andrejas Duerig (6-3, 308, R-Jr.)

RT 78 Koda Maron (6-6, 304, R-Sr.) 69 Patrick Davis (6-5, 318, So.)

DEFENSE

DE 94 Alton Robinson (6-4, 249, Jr.) 57 Kingsley Jonathan (6-3, 256, So.)

NT 98 McKinley Williams (6-4, 295, Jr.) OR 85 Josh Black (6-3, 272, R-So.)

DT 95 Chris Slayton (6-4, 309, R-Sr.) 45 Kenneth Ruff (6-1, 296, Jr.)

DE 55 Kendall Coleman (6-3, 266, Jr.) 97 Brandon Berry (6-4, 251, R-Jr.)

WLB 25 Kielan Whitner (6-0, 215, Sr.) 24 Shyheim Cullen (6-0, 224, R-Jr.)

MLB 41 Ryan Guthrie (6-2, 224, Sr.) 12 Andrew Armstrong (6-2, 228, Jr.) OR 24 Shyheim Cullen (6-0, 224, R-Jr.)

SLB 24 Shyheim Cullen (6-0, 224, R-Jr.) 12 Andrew Armstrong (6-2, 228, Jr.)

CB 21 Trill Williams (6-2, 202, Fr.) 18 Scoop Bradshaw (5-11, 181, Jr.)

FS 19 Andre Cisco (6-0, 199, Fr.) 8 Antwan Cordy (5-8, 177, R-Sr.)

SS 14 Evan Foster (6-0, 223, Jr.) 34 Eric Coley (6-2, 183, R-Fr.)

CB 3 Christopher Fredrick (5-11, 194, R-Jr.) 23 Ifeatu Melifonwu (6-3, 200, R-Fr.)

 

Syracuse Season Player Stats

 

Passing
Name
E. Dungey QB
T. DeVito QB
D. Strickland RB
T. Harris WR
N. Johnson WR
Total
CMPATTYDSCMP%AVGLNGTDINTSACKSYLRTG
2053412,56560.17.58217720-132135.6
448752550.66.0504311-75109.5
1148100.048.0480000503.2
0100.00.0000000.0
0100.00.00001-60.0
2504313,13858.07.382211032-213130.6

 

Rushing
Name
M. Neal RB
E. Dungey QB
D. Strickland RB
J. Howard RB
S. Riley WR
M. Pierre RB
O. Zaccardo RB
N. Johnson WR
C. Elmore DL
J. Custis WR
T. DeVito QB
Total
ATTYDSAVGLNGTD
1478275.6685
1677324.44915
1125605.0516
673114.6536
5377.4190
8354.4120
8253.1150
492.380
372.352
1-5-5.000
23-17-0.7131
12-44-3.700
5572,4774.46835

 

Receiving
Name
J. Custis WR
S. Riley WR
N. Johnson WR
T. Harris WR
Devin C. Butler WR
R. Pierce TE
D. Strickland RB
M. Neal RB
S. Johnson WR
J. Howard RB
G. Horan TE
A. Hackett TE
Total
RECYDSAVGLNGTD
4682618.0686
6373311.6753
3955514.2824
3651014.2513
141269.0170
161056.6223
15946.3290
12867.2180
67913.2340
11616.0160
177.071
111.011
2503,13812.68221

 

Kicking
Name
A. Szmyt PK
Total
XPMXPAXP%FGMFGAPCT1-1920-2930-3940-4950+LNGPTS
5757100.0283287.51-110-1110-104-73-354141
5757100.0283287.51-110-1110-104-73-354141

 

Defense
Name
Guthrie
Whitner
Foster
Fredrick
Cisco
Armstrong
Robinson
Williams
Coleman
Cordy
S. Cullen
Bradshaw
Slayton
Williams
Jonathan
Ruff
Black
Melifonwu
Richards
Perkins
Stritzinger
Coley
Clarke
Berry
Custis
Kleinberg
Hofrichter
Williams
Bolinsky
Pierce
Roberts
Wallace
Sweetwood
Riley
Bennett
Grosvenor
Harper
Strickland
Johnson
Total
TacklesSacksInterceptionsFumbles
SOLOASTTOTSACKSCKYDSPDINTINTYDSLNGINTTDFFFRFTD
614010121410000000
5739961.563220200100
53257821041330000
3418520033-2-20000
411051009747390100
2122430011220000
31839105420000300
256310002330000
2092975100000000
225271830000100
14132711610000000
206260010000000
126183.51800000100
98170000000000
1071753700000100
106162800000000
104140000000000
140140060000000
641021501000000
4260000000000
4260000000000
3360000000000
3250010000000
2241300000000
3030000000000
3030000000000
3030000000100
2130000000000
2020000000000
2020000000100
1010000000000
0110000000000
1010000000000
1010000000000
0110000000000
1010000000000
1010000000000
1010000000000
1010000000000
508250758382403517733901000

 

 

West Virginia 2018 Schedule and Results

 

DateOpponentResult
Sat, 9/1W40-14
Sat, 9/8W52-17
Sat, 9/15Canceled
Sat, 9/22W35-6
Sat, 9/29W42-34
Sat, 10/6W38-22
Sat, 10/13L30-14
Thu, 10/25W58-14
Sat, 11/3W42-41
Sat, 11/10W47-10
Sat, 11/17L45-41
Fri, 11/23L59-56

 

 

West Virginia Current Injuries
PlayerStatusTypeComment
Mike O’LaughlinOutKneeO’Laughlin suffered a season-ending torn ACL.
Jake LongOutWristLong has a dislocated wrist and there is no timetable for his return.
Gary JenningsOutAnkleJennings Jr. has an ankle injury and will sit out the Camping World Bowl against Syracuse.
Dillon SpaldingOutAnkleSpalding is likely to sit out the entire 2018 season due to a severe ankle injury.
Will GrierOutPersonalGrier will not play in the Camping World Bowl against Syracuse as he will be preparing for the NFL draft.
Charlie BentonOutKneeBenton is sidelined with a knee injury and it is unclear when he will return to the lineup.
Dylan TonkeryQuestionableNeckTonkery sat out the previous four games due to a neck injury and it is unclear if he will be available for the Camping World Bowl against Syracuse.
Yodny CajusteQuestionableLegCajuste is nursing a leg injury and it is undetermined if he will partake in the Camping World Bowl against Syracuse.
Derrek PittsQuestionableKneePitts is dealing with a knee injury and his status for the Camping World Bowl against Syracuse is in question.

 

West Virginia Depth Chart

 

Offense
WR (X) 8 Marcus Simms (6-0 196 Jr.) 82 Dominique Maiden (6-5 206 Sr.)

TE (H) 88 Trevon Wesco (6-4 272 r-Sr.) 84 Jovani Haskins (6-4 245 r-So.)

LT 72 Kelby Wickline (6-4 301 r-Jr.) 76 Chase Behrndt (6-4 310 r-So.)

LG 73 Josh Sills (6-6 331 r-So.) 57 Michael Brown (6-3 353 r-Jr.)

C 79 Matt Jones (6-3 317 r-Jr.) 78 Jacob Buccigrossi (6-3 306 r-So.)

RG 65 Isaiah Hardy (6-6 335 Sr.) 58 Joe Brown (6-4 354 r-Jr.)

RT 53 Colton McKivitz (6-7 310 r-Jr.) 70 Tyler Thurmond (6-4 288 r-Fr.)

WR (Y) 1 T.J. Simmons (6-2 200 r-So.) 16 William Crest Jr. (6-1 214 r-Sr.)

WR (Z) 13 David Sills V (6-4 210 Sr.) 81 Sam James (6-0 165 Fr.)

QB 11 Jack Allison (6-6 210 r-So.) 10 Trey Lowe III (6-2 220 Fr.)

RB 6 Kennedy McKoy (6-0 205 Jr.) OR 32 Martell Pettaway (5-9 212 Jr.) OR 20 Alec Sinkfield (5-9 188 r-Fr.) OR 4 Leddie Brown (5-11 215 Fr.)

Defense

DE 46 Reese Donahue (6-4 280 Jr) OR 5 Ezekiel Rose 6-2 278 Sr

NT 40 Kenny Bigelow Jr. (6-4 304 r-Sr.) 56 Darius Stills (6-1 293 So.)

DE 12 Jabril Robinson (6-2 271 r-Sr.) 55 Dante Stills (6-4 294 Fr.)

SAM 9 JoVanni Stewart (5-8 195 Jr.) 33 Quondarius Qualls (6-1 229 Sr.)

MIKE 34 Shea Campbell (5-11 235 r-Jr.) 31 Zach Sandwisch (6-2 225 r-So.)

WILL 11 David Long Jr. (5-11 223 r-Jr.) 35 Josh Chandler (5-10 229 Fr.)

LCB 28 Keith Washington Jr. (6-0 178 r-Jr.) 24 Hakeem Bailey (6-0 193 r-Jr.)

FS 2 Kenny Robinson Jr. (6-2 198 So.) 29 Sean Mahone (5-11 198 r-So.)

SPUR 6 Dravon Askew-Henry (6-0 201 r-Sr.) 26 Deamonte Lindsay (6-1 212 r-Jr.)

BS 3 Toyous Avery Jr. (5-11 200 r-Sr.) 39 Dante Bonamico (5-8 185 r-So.)

RCB 4 Josh Norwood (5-10 180 r-Jr.) 1 Derrek Pitts Jr. (6-0 182 So.)

 

Season Player Stats

 

Passing
Name
W. Grier QB
J. Allison QB
Total
CMPATTYDSCMP%AVGLNGTDINTSACKSYLRTG
2663973,86467.09.78237824-165175.5
6107560.07.5361100136.0
2724073,93966.89.78238924-165174.5

 

Rushing
Name
K. McKoyRB
M. PettawayRB
L. BrownRB
T. BushRB
A. SinkfieldRB
M. SimmsWR
L. DorrRB
B. WatsonRB
J. AllisonQB
W. GrierQB
Total
ATTYDSAVGLNGTD
1287295.7387
945626.0556
874335.0474
58316.6790
17643.891
155.050
221.010
100.000
1-1-1.000
48-90-1.9153
3891,7854.67921

 

Receiving

Name
G. Jennings Jr. WR
D. Sills V WR
M. Simms WR
T. Wesco TE
T.J. Simmons WR
K. McKoy RB
T. Bush RB
J. Haskins TE
D. Maiden WR
M. Pettaway RB
A. Sinkfield RB
L. Brown RB
S. James WR
Total
RECYDSAVGLNGTD
5491717.07513
6189614.76515
4669915.2822
2435214.7431
2227712.6591
1622113.8411
1317513.5621
161489.3171
813016.3401
66110.2341
44411.0310
11515.0151
144.040
2723,93914.58238

 

Kicking
Name
E. Staley PK
Total
XPMXPAXP%FGMFGAPCT1-1920-2930-3940-4950+LNGPTS
5959100.0121675.00-02-23-37-90-24995
5959100.0121675.00-02-23-37-90-24995

 

Defense
Name
Long Jr.
Robinson Jr.
Norwood
Askew-Henry
Stewart
Avery Jr.
Bailey
Washington
Campbell
Pitts Jr.
Robinson
Donahue
Rose
Tonkery
Bigelow Jr.
Chandler
Stills
Sandwisch
Stills
Lindsay
Bonamico
Loe
Adams
Mahone
Cajuste
Hensley
Benton
Kamara
Staley
Pooler Jr.
Ferns
Brown
Wolfley
Hogan
Legg
Raines
Dorr
Grier
Thrift
Total
TacklesSacksInterceptionsFumbles
SOLOASTTOTSACKSCKYDSPDINTINTYDSLNGINTTDFFFRFTD
62238564340000200
522375004355550000
45145900100000100
3315480002330000
34144831200000000
271340001253420100
271138001117170100
315360.517352511100
1812300011220000
2052511540000100
1311240020000000
129211700000000
127191.5901220000
910191810000000
154192700000100
94130000000000
1121332400000200
94130000000000
74110000000000
8190010000000
7180000000000
5381600000100
5160000000000
3360010000000
3140000000000
2131500000000
0220000000000
2020000000000
2020000000000
2021900000000
1010000000000
0110000000000
1010000000000
0110000000000
1010000000000
0110000000000
1010000000000
1010000000000
1010000000000
4942167102415538131845111100

 

 

This will be the 61st meeting between the West Virginia Mountaineers (8-3) and the Syracuse Orange (9-3). Syracuse leads the all-times series 33-27 and have won three-straight over West Virginia. Prior to Syracuse winning the last three, the Mountaineers won eight straight against the Orange.

There’s been some heated moments between the two programs, but there arguably wasn’t bigger controversy than the bench clearing brawl in 1992.

It’s been six years since these two have met annually and the rivalry has simmered down. However, some debate whether a not the Ben Schwartzwalder Trophy should be up for grabs during the bowl game with Syracuse has surfaced after the Orange declined to take it to Orlando.

The Orange had a bit of a surprising season, finishing second in the Atlantic Division of the ACC, after being picked last in the preseason. Meanwhile, the Mountaineers fell a game short of making a trip to Arlington, Texas for the Big 12 Championship.

The Syracuse offense revolves around quarterback Eric Dungy. The Orange run a spread option system thats heavily involved in the run game, averaging over 200 yards a game on the ground. Don’t let their success on the ground fool you. Dungy may not be as efficient through the air as most of the QB’s the Mountaineers have seen this season, but they pull defenses in with the running game and can hit the big play behind the secondary.

The West Virginia defense has struggled to stop a dual-threat quarterback this season. The Mountaineer defense has seen some of the best receivers in the country along with a Heisman winner. . They should be able to win the match-ups on the outside, it will be a matter of if they can get pressure in the backfield, along with stopping the running game to try to stifle this potent Syracuse offense.

Syracuse doesn’t run anything WVU hasn’t seen thus far this season; nonetheless, the Mountaineer defense has given up over 1,300 yards and 100 points in the last two game.,

Syracuse runs a four-man front on the defensive side of the ball, anchored by defensive tackle Chris Slayton. The Orange have a great pair of linebackers in Ryan Guthrie and Kielan Whitner. They have combined for 197 tackles on the season. Free safety Andre Cisco has seven interceptions this season and will try to slow down the Mountaineer receivers.

Starting defensive end Alton Robinson and defensive tackle McKinley Williams will miss the bowl game due to personal reasons. Robinson led the Orange in sacks this season with 10 and contributed 17 tackles for losses, 11 QB hits, and three forced fumbles.

Missing several key contributors doesn’t bode well for the Orange, considering they ranked 10th in total defense in the ACC.

West Virginia is without starting quarterback Will Grier; however, sophomore Jack Allison has all the tools to run the Mountaineer offense.

Head Coach Dana Holgorsen is taking over play-calling duties for the bowl game, after the departure of offensive coordinator Jake Spavital departed to take the head coaching job at Texas State. Holgorsen was a little more run heavy in his final year as offensive coordinator in 2016 with Skyler Howard under center and he’s expected to lean on his stable of talented running back to take the pressure off an inexperienced Allison.

The Mountaineers will also be without leading receiver Gary Jenning, but the cupboard is not bare. They’ve featured tight end Trevon Wesco late in the season and still have David Sills and Marcus Simms to get behind the secondary.

This old bitter rivalry is setting up to be an instant classic with neither side of the ball having a clear advantage going into the game.

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