Syracuse (3-2, 1-0 Atlantic Coast) suffered a 45-24 loss at South Florida (2-3, 0-1 American Athletic) on Saturday. The Orange made a comeback attempt in the third quarter, but ultimately the Bulls pulled away. Here are some players that both looked impressive and overmatched in SU’s final nonconference game.

Stock Up

Sophomore hybrid Ervin Philips

After missing the last three-and-a-half games with a lower-body injury, Philips contributed in his first game back with five receptions for 75 yards, both team highs. He provided a reliable check down for freshman quarterback Eric Dungey, who was protected by an offensive line with two backups in at one point due to injuries. Philips also rushed three times for 21 yards, good for most on the Orange outside of Dungey.

Philips was involved in the third quarter when SU cut into USF’s lead. A 29-yard reception led to a touchdown two plays after. Later in the third quarter, Philips had back-to-back catches for 10 and 12 yards, respectively, on another eventual touchdown drive.

Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Chris Slayton

In a game that the Orange’s defense gave up 45 points, Slayton might be the only bright spot. After jumping senior John Raymon on the depth chart earlier this week, Slayton’s sack-fumble on Bulls quarterback Quinton Flowers was a key moment in the Orange’s comeback attempt. The play was sandwiched between two SU touchdown drives when Syracuse cut the game to 24-17. The Orange only recorded four tackles for loss and Slayton’s sack was one of them.

Stock Down

Freshman safety Kielan Whitner

Entering the season, Syracuse coaches knew one of its three freshmen safeties would have to contribute in the secondary rotation. Coming out of training camp, Whitner won the fourth safety spot. On Saturday, he was exposed.

In the second quarter, a USF punt bounced off Whitner’s back and the ball caromed into the hands of a Bulls player, giving South Florida possession on SU’s 25-yard line. On Marlon Mack’s 45-yard third-quarter touchdown, which gave USF a 31-17 lead, Whitner whiffed on a tackle along the sideline. On a key third-and-10 in the fourth, Whitner was flagged for a late hit after the ball fell incomplete out of bounds. He bumped the intended receiver, extending the Bulls’ drive, which resulted in a touchdown.

Defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough

Bullough was tasked with replacing eight starters when the season began and early on, SU was successful on defense. Albeit against weak competition, the Orange allowed just 140 rushing yards through the first three games.

After getting lit up by Heisman Trophy candidate Leonard Fournette and co. for 268 yards against Louisiana State, Syracuse had two weeks to prepare for the Bulls. Entering the game, USF had run on 64 percent of offensive plays. Still, SU gave up 282 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

The Bulls’ 45 points are the second most by a nonconference opponent since Bullough became the defensive coordinator after Scott Shafer was named head coach.

“We got outplayed, out-coached, everything,” Bullough said after the game. “When the score is like that there is nothing else you can say.”

Published on October 11, 2015 at 4:31 pm

Contact Paul: pmschwed@syr.edu | @pschweds