The LeQuint Allen suspension and saga is now over. After the sophomore runningback sued the university, a settlement was reached and Allen is eligible to play this season. He won’t be able to practice until mid-august, meaning Allen will miss the first few weeks of practice. However, the Orange can take their time with Colgate and Western Michigan as the first two opponents on the schedule.
There were a multitude of questions of who would be able to replace Allen. Dino Babers had a number of running backs on the roster but no one proven. Last year, Allen averaged 6.6 yards per carry and a touchdown on 41 attempts. In the air, Allen made 17 receptions for 117 yards.
A strong running room has been the key to success under Dino Babers. The one year the Orange had under 100 yards per game, 2020, Syracuse went just 1-10. The best offensive season overall under Babers was 2018, when SU averaged over 40 points a game. The team ran for over 200 yards per game.
With only one proven receiver on the roster, Allen is even more important to the success of the Syracuse offense. Without a threat to run, any defense would be able to double cover Oronde Gadsden every play and not have to stack the box. Garrett Shrader isn’t the best passer in the world and that would make things much harder for the third-year starter. Allens threat means that the opposition will have to try and stop the run first. That opens up the offense to become much more dangerous in the play action game, where the Orange can be most dangerous.
It is good to see Syracuse made the right decision on Allen. The suspension was criticized by everyone and unanimously unjust. Allen’s return to the SU offense makes this team much more dangerous.
