UPDATED: Sept. 27, 2017 at 12:50 p.m.

One of the most effective ways to slow down Syracuse’s high-powered offense is by pressuring the quarterback. Eric Dungey and the Orange saw this in Week 2 against Middle Tennessee State.

The Blue Raiders brought pressure early and often, and it led to serious first quarter struggles for the Orange. Dungey was sacked three times as the team lost yards on each of its five possessions.

Syracuse (2-2) will face one of its toughest pass-rushing threats so far this season when it takes on North Carolina State (3-1, 1-0 Atlantic Coast) in its ACC opener. The Wolfpack is coming off an upset road victory against then-No. 12 Florida State, when it got four total sacks. The defense is led by defensive end Bradley Chubb, a preseason first-team All-ACC selection who had two sacks and eight quarterback pressures last week, according to Pro Football Focus.

“Start with him,” SU head coach Dino Babers said when asked how to slow down the N.C. State pass rush. “He’s really, really good. He’s (a) fantastic player, fantastic pass rusher.”

Chubb had eight tackles in last year’s matchup between the teams, as well as two of N.C. State’s three sacks. As of Tuesday night, it’s unclear who’ll be matched up with the defensive end.

N.C. State lines Chubb at different spots throughout the game. Last year, one of his sacks came while he was on the left side of the defensive line. Another came while he was standing up, hovering right behind the defensive tackle before crashing in. He also stuffed a few running plays while lined up on the right side of the line.

It’s likely that redshirt-senior Jamar McGloster will have to face Chubb in some capacity. McGloster is the SU’s starting right tackle. The Orange’s starting left tackle, Cody Conway, left Saturday’s matchup with LSU with an injury toward the end of the game, and it’s unclear if he’ll play in the upcoming matchup. When Conway left, McGloster shifted over to left tackle.

Preparation for this week hasn’t been different, McGloster said, and that the Wolfpack front seven is one of the best Syracuse will go up against. McGloster pointed out that Chubb’s versatility makes him tough to guard, although he said defensive linemen don’t power off the ball like they do when standing straight up.

“He’s strong and fast,” McGloster said. “Some kids are just fast, some kids are strong … he can do both.”

Another option to try and slow down Chubb and the pass rush is to keep extra blockers in the formation. The Orange has run a lot of sets with tight end Ravian Pierce serving as the extra blocker. The other option is keeping the running back in the backfield to block.

Babers has heaped praise on starting running back Dontae Strickland before for his ability as a pass blocker. Strickland attributed his success in that area, particularly in knowing how to pick up a blitz, from watching extra film in the offseason and from natural instinct. Strickland, who is used in the passing game, can also chip a defensive end while running out into the flat.

“They’re harping on us to do that this weekend a lot more than others,” Strickland said. “I’ll probably get a few chips this weekend.”

Dungey didn’t play in last year’s matchup against N.C. State, sitting the game out with an injury. He doesn’t expect a change in the offensive game plan to try and slow down the pass rush. Mostly, Dungey has been looking at tape from last year. He hasn’t talked with backup Zack Mahoney about the game, but is watching tape of how Mahoney handled it.

The Wolfpack pass rush helped limit the Orange to less than 20 minutes of possession. SU will need an answer to that to get a win on Saturday.

“Their front seven is exceptional,” Babers said. “The more you try to do things into that front seven, you better be exactly right. Because if you’re not, your success is going to be very, very limited.”

CORRECTION: In a previous version of this post, Bradley Chubb was misnamed in a photo caption. The Daily Orange regrets this error.

Published on September 26, 2017 at 11:08 pm

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