By the time Syracuse got to halftime on Saturday, up 37-0 over Wagner, it was almost impossible not to be impressed with the play of sophomore quarterback Terrell Hunt; and by the time the game was over there was no doubt that the quarterback competition that went on throughout training camp and was reignited two weeks into the season, was all but over. On Saturday, Hunt proved what he had already proved last spring, which is that he’s the best choice at quarterback to lead the Syracuse offense in 2013.
Hunt may not have been more impressive at any point during the game than he was on his first drive of the game. After Drew Allen led the offense to three three-and-outs and three points, Hunt entered the game and the offense immediately started moving the ball with ease. Hunt threw three passes on his first drive, all coming on third down, and all resulted in a Syracuse first down. That first drive was a drastic change from anything we’ve seen out of Allen this season, and it was obvious to anyone watching.
But Hunt’s success didn’t stop after just one drive; he continued to lead the offense down the field with ease and get the ball in the end zone. Hunt was more in control of the offense throughout his time on the field than Allen has been at any point in the first three weeks, and Hunt orchestrated the hurry up offense faster than Allen has been able to at any time over the first three weeks. With Hunt, it’s obvious that he’s going through his progressions and scanning the field for the open receiver, which hasn’t always been the case with Allen.
More importantly, Hunt showed the ability to throw the deep ball, which was one of his biggest question marks entering the season. Hunt doesn’t have the zip on his deep passes that Allen does, but he has enough arm strength to get the ball down the field, and he showed off good accuracy on deep balls, connecting with both Chris Clark and Jarrod West on long touchdown passes.
Scott Shafer will be the first one to mention (and he was) the fact that the level of competition Hunt faced against Wagner is a far cry from what Allen faced against Penn State and Northwestern. But Allen also had his chance against Wagner for the first three possessions of the game, and did absolutely nothing. Allen may have better physical tools than Hunt, but Hunt has better command of the offense, and more importantly, he appears to have the confidence of the rest of the offense.
Shafer insists that Allen is still in the mix and that the team is going to need both quarterbacks to get through the season, but this job is officially Hunt’s to lose. The competition he faces in games will only get tougher for Hunt moving forward, but he’s done enough to earn the starting job, as well as the right to not be looking over his shoulder at Allen as the season moves forward. Until further notice, this is Hunt’s team, and he is the lone quarterback Syracuse needs to have a successful 2013 season.
Bryan Zarpentine covers Syracuse Orange football and basketball for ChatSports.com. You can follow him on twitter @BZarp and @ChatSyracuse. Also, add him to your network on Google, and keep up with Syracuse at ChatSports.com/Syracuse-Orange.
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