⚡ CFB Dashboard

Syracuse football got off to a hot start last week in a dominant performance against New Hampshire, shutting down any potential upset bid early by starting the game with 43 unanswered points. They won to the tune of a 66-3 final score in large part to two major performances by vastly different players. ACC Rookie of the Week Shavane Anderson Jr. shined bright in his collegiate debut, finishing the game with 102 yards and 3 touchdowns on only ten carries. On the other end of the spectrum, sixth year wide receiver Umari Hatcher showed out with 8 catches, 147 yards and two touchdowns.  But that was last week. This week is where it becomes real, where rubber meets the road. With ACC play starting this week against Cal, Hatcher made it clear last week was merely just the beginning. "I was just getting my feet wet, I still have a lot more to prove," Hatcher said. "Not just to everybody, but just to myself too." Hatcher is not the only one hoping to ride the hot start into conference play. Two-Way player and Returner Demetres Samuel Jr. voiced a similar excitement to get back out there this week. Samuel Jr. was electric in the return game last week, averaging over 20 yards per punt return and ripped off a 42-yard kick return to top it all off. But he too said this was just the beginning, saying, "I still haven't hit it full speed quite yet, but when I do, I'm not going to get touched." It's becoming evident that this team is not content with merely just winning last week's game. The Orange seem to be looking to improve by any means necessary before Saturday's game, but that doesn't mean they're not having fun while doing it. Samuel Jr. talked this week about a bet he has with the other special teamers, saying they get some bonus cash every time they take a return back for a touchdown. He also beamed a huge smile as he talked about cooking for his teammates this last week for Labor Day weekend, saying he cooked them steak, shrimp and fries to celebrate the holiday. The energy is in the air. The team seems to truly be having fun both on and off the field. But there's also an attentive focus to it. Nobody seems satisfied with just one win, and rightfully so. And as ACC play begins this week, it's safe to say the fun's just beginning.