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Dino Babers has used the phrase “going 1-0” nearly every week since Syracuse has started its five-game losing streak. It’s a phrase he used before the streak and will continue to use after the streak.

But during Babers’ weekly press conference Monday ahead of SU’s matchup with Pittsburgh at Yankee Stadium, he used the phrase to deflect from questions about his job status and whether or not he is telling recruits he will be at Syracuse next year.

Babers’ job status has come under fire as yet another Orange football season is on a complete downward trajectory. But Babers said he is thinking about the game, not whether or not he will be around at SU. The focus remains on the Panthers, a team Babers has not beaten since 2017 but is 2-7 on the season.

“My big thing is this right here, I believe in God, family and football,” Babers said. “My football is my Ohana, which is the young men at Syracuse University.”

Here are some more takeaways from Babers’ weekly press conference:

No updates on the QBs

After the 17-10 loss to Boston College last Friday, Babers said he’s not sure if Garrett Shrader will play the rest of the season, opening the door for backup Carlos Del Rio-Wilson to start. But Babers also didn’t provide an update on Del Rio-Wilson either since the quarterback seemed a little dinged up at the end of the Eagles game. On Friday, the head coach said Del Rio-Wilson felt he could go and play, adding that the trainers gave him the OK.

Before he opened up the press conference for questions, Babers said he does not have any updates for either Shrader or Del Rio-Wilson. He mentioned it was “standard stuff” that both quarterbacks will see the doctors later today.

The Orange released their depth chart for the game in The Bronx and there was an “OR” next to Shrader and Del Rio-Wilson. If neither quarterback is available, Babers alluded to the Orange having backups in Braden Davis and Luke MacPhail, who both only got reps in the season-opener against Colgate. Babers shut down the idea of tight end Dan Villari, who transferred from Michigan as a quarterback, possibly coming back to his old position.

“We have backup quarterbacks and we feel that Dan is doing a really nice job where he’s at,” Babers said.

More on Del Rio-Wilson

Del Rio-Wilson’s first-ever collegiate start came on the road against Pitt last season where he went 8-of-23 for 120 yards along with seven rushing yards. The Panthers sacked him six times and he struggled to push the ball downfield aside from a 45-yard pass to D’Marcus Adams in the fourth quarter.

Babers said Del Rio-Wilson’s performance last year doesn’t apply to the upcoming one Saturday. According to the head coach, this is because of the ever-changing personnel and offensive line. Babers noted that while the Panthers have tape on Del Rio-Wilson, he doesn’t seem concerned about last season.

“The matchups are going to dictate where we’re going to attack and the matchups are going to dictate where they’re going to attack,” Babers said.

As for how to help Del Rio-Wilson now, Babers said the team needs to take the “pressure” off of the quarterback. He mentioned there were passes that needed to be caught from the wide receivers. While he said he doesn’t see the intermediate passing game as a struggle, Babers emphasized the passing game needs to attack all zones of the field.

Del Rio-Wilson didn’t do much of that against the Eagles, though. He scored a rushing touchdown, but also went 7-of-17 for 37 yards and threw four interceptions. Babers didn’t get into specifics, but he said there were things out of Carlos’ control and is still hopeful.

“And I just feel bad because I thought if we made some of those plays, everyone may have a different opinion,” Babers said. “Don’t judge him on one outing.”

Babers’ message to recruits

Along with Babers receiving questions about telling recruits about his job status, the head coach acknowledged that he is still in frequent communication with them. Babers didn’t name any of the specific recruits, but noted the ones who are committed are still coming to SU. According to 247Sports, the Orange have 18 three-star recruits and their 2024 class ranks 13th in the ACC and 54th in the nation.

Babers said the recruits love the “culture” Syracuse has and it helps them stay committed to the program.

“They read the newspapers that people write about Syracuse,” Babers said. “But they also speak to me. I speak to their moms, I speak to their dads.”

Other injury updates

Besides the news about Del Rio-Wilson and Shrader, Babers offered two injury updates. The first was on cornerback Jayden Bellamy, who went to a local Blacksburg hospital for X-rays during the Virginia Tech game. Bellamy did not play against BC but is still listed as the starting corner for the Orange after Jeremiah Wilson moved to safety.

“I hope he’s available this week, I really do,” Babers said of Bellamy’s status.

The second update was on right guard Jakob Bradford, who has started in place of the injured Joe More. Bradford got hurt during the Boston College game and was helped to the locker room by two trainers. Babers said he has no update on Bradford.

Published on November 6, 2023 at 1:57 pm

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