Another week in the book for Syracuse Football, looking ahead to 19th ranked SMU on Saturday. Head Coach Fran Brown took to the podium on Monday during his weekly presser. Here's the big speaking points from yesterday:
The kicking situation came up early in this one, Brown was asked if he was planning on switching kickers once again as Freshman Shay Barker's struggles continued. Brown said Tripp Woody is healthy and will be practicing this week, Woody was listed as questionable on the injury report leading up to the North Carolina game.
"We'll practice… going to do whatever best for our program, and just get the points that we need to get." Brown said to the current kicking situation.
Calvin Russell was named as the ACC Rookie of the Week early this week after his 8 receptions, 86 yards, touchdown, and the game-winning 2 point conversion. Brown spoke to his expectations of Russell and the impact he would have after suffering the torn achilles in the spring.
"I knew Calvin would work his butt off to have the opportunity to come back and play… I knew we would get leadership from him whether it was on or off the field."
When talking about Steve Angeli, Brown said his biggest takeaway from Saturday was Angeli's leadership. " He was a leader at all times… he took some shots… I was happy with his leadership and toughness." Brown talking about Angeli. When asked about Angeli's health being in a better place, Brown stated " Yeah, it seems to be."
What seemed like a decision that took time on Saturday to decide, was not the case according to Coach Brown.
" I knew we were going to go for two…you had a time out, what was the point of taking with him(referring to not taking the time out to the locker room) … I wanted to hear the right name to be honest, (there) were a couple different plays we had." Coach Brown told reporters about the two point decision on Saturday.
In terms of this Saturday's opponent, 19th Ranked SMU, Coach Brown mentioned multiple players on each side of the ball that will make plays, and stated that the Mustangs' quarterback. Kevin Jennings is a "Heisman candidate" in his opinion.
