No. 22 Syracuse still hungry
Syracuse is ranked for the first time in 17 years and it has qualified for its first bowl berth since 2013, but third-year coach Dino Babers remains hungry for more. Much more.
The 22nd-ranked Orange snapped the second-longest Associated Press Top 25 drought among major-conference teams, cracking the poll for the first time since the end of the 2001 season following their 51-41 win over visiting North Carolina State.
Syracuse is 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the ACC going on the road this week to play Wake Forest (4-4, 1-3) at BB&T Field in Winston-Salem, N.C.
“I don’t think that necessarily we are exactly where we need to be,” Babers said Monday morning at his weekly press conference. “There’s room for improvement. The team understands that. The coaches understand that, and we need to be desperately seeking that improvement.
“I don’t think anyone is settled. I don’t think we’re happy where we’re at, and I really mean that. I think there are guys still working to get the job done because there is still a lot of work to be done.”
Babers has successfully coached the team through injuries, particularly in the secondary, and he has handled the quarterback situation as well as can be expected. Starter Eric Dungey and backup Tommy DeVito have played significant roles in victories this season.
The possibility for more success is there. Wake Forest is a .500 team, and Syracuse plays host to a struggling Louisville team in two weeks. The Orange will travel to The Bronx to play No. 3 Notre Dame on Nov. 17 at Yankee Stadium.
“I can appreciate (being ranked), and I also recognize that we need to consistently keep doing things we’re doing or we’re not going to be able to be proud about this moment,” Babers said. “Yes we’re here and it’s fabulous … if we win, it’ll get better. If we don’t, it won’t.
“There’s no reason why we have to stop now. Our journey is not over.”