Scott Shafer echoed the same words Jay Bromley proclaimed after Syracuse’s 56-0 loss to Georgia Tech two Saturdays ago.

The Orange defense needs to “nut up,” Shafer said Tuesday.

For six weeks, the Syracuse front seven was the team’s undoubted strength, its backbone on defense. But following its worst performance of the season against the Yellow Jackets, the group’s durability is in question heading into the Orange’s (3-4, 2-3 Atlantic Coast) matchup with Wake Forest (4-4, 2-3) on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. in the Carrier Dome.

Backup defensive tackle John Raymon is out for the year with a season-ending knee injury. Starting defensive tackle Eric Crume is questionable with a lower-body injury, according to an SU Athletics injury report released on Thursday. And starting outside linebacker Dyshawn Davis is just getting back from a high ankle sprain.

He’s listed as probable on the report, but Shafer said on Thursday he would play.

“The rest of the group just has to nut up and get it done,” Shafer said. “They have to embrace it, which they have, and look forward to the opportunity of getting more plays.”

So who else will step up? Or better yet, will someone step up?

Marquis Spruill pondered those very questions on Tuesday afternoon when asked about the defensive tackles.

He paused to think, and for 10 seconds, he pondered. He knew that Zian Jones was seeing increased reps and that Ryan Sloan and Marcus Coleman were preparing for bigger roles.

But none of them stood out as primary supporters for Jay Bromley, who leads the Orange with six sacks, nine tackles for loss and three fumbles. “A little more time,” Spruill said they needed.

But with Crume hobbled, there might not be any time.

Bromley said the group is working toward filling the big shoes left by the 6-foot-5, 323-pound Raymon. And while the unit hurts for Raymon, Jones is trying to make the most of his opportunity.

“My senior year, it’s like a gift for me,” Jones said. “I don’t really want to say that. It’s a crucial loss for John, but it’s a plus for me to show what I’ve got on the field.”

Shafer said he plans on countering Wake Forest’s spread offense by using more of the Okie package — Syracuse’s unit with three down linemen and five defensive backs.

That will also help keep Bromley fresh, as the front features two defensive ends.

“Without playing a team with two tight ends and that sort of thing, I think it comes at a good time as we’re rotating these guys through,” Shafer said.

In the linebacking corps, Josh Kirkland and Marqez Hodge have proven capable as rotational linebackers. Both started against Georgia Tech when the Orange switched to a 3-4 in an attempt to halt the Yellow Jackets’ triple-option offense.

With Davis back, their roles will be more limited, but it seems like the coaching staff has more confidence in the depth at linebacker than defensive tackle.

Hodge, especially, has impressed. He notched a career-high 12 tackles against GT and has gone from a preseason afterthought to legitimate contributor, said linebackers coach Clark Lea.

“He really was not a part of the equation,” Lea said. “We were thinking maybe special teams until we had a scrimmage at Fort Drum and he — just kind of like Georgia Tech — he flashed.

“You’ll hear him before you see him because he’s physical.”

The resentment after SU’s embarrassing loss two weeks ago still resonated with players on Tuesday.

Many said they wished they could have gotten back out on the field last Saturday, rather than go through what Bromley described as a long second bye week.

Saturday, the Orange has its chance to nut up.

If it does, a 6-6 regular-season finish and bowl qualification seems attainable. If not, the Orange will have to win three of four against Maryland, No. 3 Florida State, Pittsburgh and Boston College.

“We’re going to try to do the best we can to wipe the slate,” Lea said, “but it never quite works the way you want to.”

Published on November 1, 2013 at 3:15 am

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