Syracuse, N.Y. — De'Jon Wilson noticed a different Syracuse football team during practices last week.
Players weren't making mental mistakes. Techniques and schemes appeared more polished, a result of the chemistry that had gradually grown over the first six weeks of the season. Confidence was building.
And the late-week "Kumbaya" meetings that SU head coach Dino Babers referred to multiple times after the Orange's ensuing 31-17 win over then-No. 17 Virginia Tech? That helped bring it all together.
"We were just talking about family and bringing back a win for Syracuse," Wilson, a redshirt senior defensive end, said.