After holding its first three opponents to an average of 14.7 points and 46.7 rushing yards, Syracuse’s (3-2, 1-0 Atlantic Coast) defense has been torched in the past two games. The Orange allowed 34 points to then-No. 8 Louisiana State and 45 to South Florida, and relented 549 rushing yards combined.

At this week’s media opportunity, defensive line coach Tim Daoust discussed his unit’s recent performance, its youth and how it responded to the USF loss heading into Syracuse’s second ACC game at Virginia (1-4, 0-1) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

On struggles in last two games

Humbling experience for our room and our defense in particular. So we’re anxious to get out here this Saturday, get that out of our system. But I’m certain all hope is not lost and the sun still came up this morning and they worked hard today and the film sessions have been very humbling for these young men. The big thing I tell these kids is it has to be a learning experience. It was a wasted moment if we don’t learn from the experiences that go on in our lives. So hopefully they’ll be able to do that and I’m sure that they will

On executing the play calls

There were times out there where we still had opportunities to make plays and I want to see some more consistency mentally as much as physically just executing the calls. I think (defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough) put us in a great position and we didn’t do some things we needed to do. And as they get more reps, they get more experience, and unfortunately getting out there sometimes getting your tail kicked in will teach you those lessons to be able to do that moving forward.

On where Syracuse’s run defense currently stands

South Florida just ran for a gazillion yards so we’re pretty bad at it right now. That’s what the film says. That’s why I feel like, ‘Hey guys, that’s where we are right now. That doesn’t mean that’s where we have to be, but that’s where we are. We’re going to be judged on what we just did. So let’s go play Virginia.’ Now I’m excited to get onto that field and feel a lot better when you talk to me next Tuesday.

On flight back from South Florida

It was miserable. It’ll be miserable until we get back on the return flight (having won) the game. It’s football. It’s too much work to go out there and not perform to our standards as players and coaches. We got to get it right.

On team’s response to USF loss

We have a really good group of kids. They took that personal. They were embarrassed by some of their work. And it wasn’t an effort thing. It was some execution things, some lapses in execution. No one’s hitting panic around here … When we win and we play well, we watch the film and we grade them really hard. When we don’t play as well, we watch the film and we grade them really hard. We’ve watched this group get better and better and I expect them to rebound this Saturday. There’s no close the door and come to Jesus meeting, or whatever they say. There’s no panic.

On defensive line’s youth

Nobody cares about that. Hey, it’s results. Let’s go, it’s results. We didn’t perform. Those guys, that’s the position we’re in right now. I love those kids and I want them to be able to go, ‘Let’s go this Saturday.’ Nobody wants to hear about it.

On level of acceptance with recent play

What we’ve done the last couple weeks is unacceptable. I don’t care how old you are. So let’s go, get better. And the kids feel the same way. This is Syracuse University and we play defense around here. So, son of a gun, let’s go.

Published on October 15, 2015 at 6:18 pm

Contact Paul: pmschwed@syr.edu | @pschweds