Ok, so the 2019 season didn’t quite go as planned. It’s hard to believe the Orange won’t play another game in the Carrier Dome until mid-September of next year. Oh well.
As always, thanks for following along with us here at Orange Fizz. Even though the result wasn’t what we wanted, our staff enjoyed providing you insight all season long.
To put a bow on the year, here are some players that shined in an overall depressing season. Why not put a positive spin on things after Saturday’s dramatic overtime win?
Safety Andre Cisco
The All-American sophomore delivered for the second-straight season. Cisco ended the year with five interceptions, tied for sixth in the NCAA. That number could have been even higher had Cisco not missed three games (Western Michigan, Holy Cross and NC State). He helped lead the secondary this year and was consistently around the football. Cisco has become one of the best safeties in the ACC.
Wide Receiver Trishton Jackson
Ok, Trishton, you got our attention. How good was he this year? Jackson reached 1,000 yards in his first year with the program. The Michigan State transfer exceeded all expectations. Imagine how inept the Orange offense would have been without him. Well, it was still pretty inept at times with him. Syracuse is lucky to have a talented wideout that is likely destined for the NFL. He’ll be back next year and Orange fans can expect him to be among the nation’s best again.
Defensive End Brandon Berry
Who had Berry as the Orange’s best pass rusher this year? Not me. He finished the year with 5.5 sacks, including 2.5 against Holy Cross. To be among the league’s best next year, Berry will need to be more consistent: all of his sacks game within the same four-game stretch. At the same time, the majority of that production came during SU’s losing streak. Let’s see how Berry performs next year in what figures to be an expanded role.
Notice a theme here? All three of these guys are returning. No, that was not on purpose. 2019 was a huge disappointment. Next year will be different if these guys have anything to say about it.
