When Syracuse’s defensive coaching staff finished grading the tape of the Rhode Island game, their collective reaction indicated the sample size.
“That’s all? Those are the only plays?” SU head coach Scott Shafer recalled the coaches saying.
In a 47-0 season-opening win over Rhode Island last Friday, Syracuse’s (1-0) defense gave up two first downs and was only on the field for 19:46. The unit rolled out nine new starters in Week 1 — junior defensive end Ron Thompson was limited to late-down packages — and will remain unproven until it faces a tougher test than the Division I-AA Rams.