Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse football played without one of its best offensive players in a 35-20 loss against North Carolina State.
And I'm not talking about Eric Dungey.
Junior wide receiver Steve Ishmael was a surprise absence Saturday afternoon at the Carrier Dome.
He stood on the sideline dressed in his full uniform, but he never stepped onto the field.
Why?
Coach Dino Babers said Ishmael was still recovering from an injury suffered last week at Clemson.
"He was still a little banged up from the Clemson game," Babers said.