We really shouldn’t consume Syracuse Orange football anymore. Medical professionals are concerned about the public in Central New York.

A chaotic battle between Syracuse and No. 25 UNLV saw multiple lead changes, ties and momentum swings. Ultimately, a touchdown with 23 seconds left by the Dutch forced overtime. Syracuse held UNLV to a field goal and the Orange took advantage of a rough passer call and a gritty run by LeQuint Allen sealed the 44-41 victory in overtime.

Here are our three takeaways from another heartbreaking game with your beloved Syracuse Orange:

Special teams: optional

Syracuse’s special teams have been a huge problem all season thus far, and those issues have flared up in an ugly way. Two blown punt coverages nearly cost Syracuse the game. On the first, Jack Stonehouse recognized the unblocked pressure and tried to run away, but was knocked down. On the second play, the pressure broke through and Stonehouse’s kick was blocked. The ball bounced all the way to the end zone and UNLV fell on the ball to secure a touchdown.

Last week against Holy Cross, the kicking contest gave Fran Brown and his staff fits, so much so that Jadyn Oh was the extra point and field goal kicker chosen over Brady Denaburg. This isn’t the first time Syracuse has failed to provide Stonehouse with adequate protection while kicking, and the Orange almost paid the ultimate price against the Rebels.

I know we like to make fun of the Dino Babers quote: “We will have special teams that are well coached.” But it’s clearly evident that something is missing, whether coaching related or not, across all special teams units. It’s hard to see when special teams help you secure or win games, but it’s very easy to see when special teams lose you games. Syracuse’s special teams have been a hurdle before this season, and Fran Brown needs to figure out how to get each special teams unit back on track.

That’s a bold strategy, Cotton

Much of the offensive credit goes to LeQuint Allen’s four touchdowns, and for good reason. However, one of the other reasons Syracuse’s offense was buzzing during the game was because of Oronde Gadsden. It’s been a frustrating few weeks for the Syracuse tight end. Stanford and Holy Cross came in with a clear plan to double down on Gadsden and essentially take him out of the game. OG had just two catches for 12 yards against Stanford and one catch for four yards against Holy Cross.

That all changed against UNLV. The Rebels didn’t resort to double-teaming Gadsden. Instead, UNLV had either single coverage against Gadsden or a zone defense. That plays exactly to his strengths. Kyle McCord has often described Gadsden as “dishonest,” specifically mentioning the mismatch he creates. That was evident in the size difference clearly visible between a single UNLV defender and Gadsden. When UNLV ran zone coverage, Gadsden used one of his best skills and found the soft part of the zone to sit in, creating a wide open target for McCord to hit.

Gadsden finished with 10 catches for 142 yards. Although he didn’t score a touchdown, Gadsden moved the chains with terrifying consistency and looked like the comfortable option McCord could rely on, just as he did in the first two weeks of the season. There will be games that Gadsden has, like the ones against Stanford and Holy Cross. But those games don’t take away the presence and pressure he can bring to the pitch. This game against UNLV shows what happens when teams don’t specifically create a game plan against Gadsden.

Round two… no fighting?

It’s wild to understand what we’ve seen in the first half from Syracuse over the past two games. The Orange looked like the most important Kansas City Chiefs in the first quarter against Holy Cross and UNLV. Then the second quarter rolls around and the Dutch team looks worse than horribly bad. Syracuse was outscored 21-3 by UNLV in the second quarter. The Dutch won in the second 15 minutes with 146-93 in total yards.

It’s incredibly shocking to see how Syracuse looked completely dominant in the first quarter. The Dutch defeated the Rebels to take an early 14-0 lead after attacking from 152 meters to 47. There seems to be no good explanation as to why the Dutch start so quickly and then crumble in the next phase of the first round of the competition. half. Syracuse can’t afford to fall behind against better teams in the ACC after building a lead. It will be difficult against the stronger competition to regain the lost momentum.