Sitting at 7-2, Dino Babers compared his team’s recent run to a wave.

“I wouldn’t say we’re on the top of that wave,” Babers said, “But we’re definitely catching it.”

The No. 19 Orange defeated Wake Forest 41-24 last Saturday for their first November victory under Babers. The Orange moved up to No. 13 in the AP Poll on Sunday and await an anticipated jump in Tuesday’s release of the CFP rankings.

Throughout the season, Babers has alluded to a healthier roster and how that’s played a role in this year’s success. On Monday, he noted the team’s emphasis on rotations this year. In games, the defensive line shifts regularly with each member of the two-deep tallying a tackle for loss this season. The offensive line has rotated six players, often subbing in redshirt sophomore Sam Heckel. And at the skill positions on offense, both running back and wide receiver, the team has shifted around several players based on that day’s production.

“We’re trying desperately to try to rotate and do things from a physical and a game standpoint to give different units an opportunity to rest their bodies,” Babers said, “so we have an opportunity for everybody to come through this thing clean and not overuse one specific unit two or three games in a row where we may not be able to recover that use.”

When asked about how this year’s team has stayed focused through the success — something Syracuse hasn’t done in the past— Babers said his team learned from post-Virginia Tech and -Clemson fall offs in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

“They’re not letting their nightlife affect their day life,” Babers said.

After the Wake Forest win, Babers refused to look past 2-7 Louisville and evaluate the looming matchup with a currently undefeated Notre Dame team. Again on Monday, Babers refused to look ahead.

On Sunday when the team met, Babers presented them with the stats from Syracuse’s last two games against Louisville. Syracuse lost those two games by a combined score of 118-38, allowing 1,572 yards in the two losses.

“I told them that we play games one game at a time, and that we’re in third game of the second half of our season,” Babers said. “And they said OK.”

Injury notes

Babers said senior Tyrone Perkins, who left Saturday’s game on a medical cart with an apparent leg injury, is still in North Carolina. He said Perkins is “in good shape and he’s going to get better.” Babers said he didn’t have an update on junior running back Moe Neal, who left late in the fourth quarter.

Published on November 5, 2018 at 2:00 pm

Contact Josh: jlschafe@syr.edu | @Schafer_44