FORT DRUM, N.Y. (AP) — Rookie Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer is biding his time in picking a starting quarterback.
It’s still a contest between Oklahoma transfer Drew Allen and junior Terrel Hunt, with the season opener two weeks away.
“Before we kick off against Penn State, I will have a decision on the quarterback,” Shafer said after the Orange completed a weeklong preseason stint at Fort Drum in northern New York.
The team went to the Army base for the second straight year because it gives the players a chance to focus on nothing but football and the team. The Army helped with several team-building exercises, from a blind obstacle course to mazes, even a few rounds of paintball.
Shafer said it was a productive week, which concluded with a scrimmage on Thursday that left lineup questions unanswered. Allen finished the scrimmage 10 of 18 passing while Hunt was 9 of 17.
On defense, the Orange looked a little more ready to go as redshirt freshman defensive end Ron Thompson and sophomore defensive tackle John Raymon were able to get pressure in the backfield and sophomore free safety Durrell Eskridge made plays in the secondary to shut down passes by both quarterbacks.
Shafer said he was pleased with what he saw from his team, but he’s still looking for improvement, especially at quarterback.
“I was as much interested in their reps with the twos, when they don’t have guys in front of them that they feel as sound with,” Shafer said. “Both guys are doing good things.”
The Orange open the season Aug. 31 against the Nittany Lions at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.