.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Syracuse Football: Eric Dungey's Season Should Be Over
At 4-6, the Syracuse football season is likely over, so Eric Dungey shouldn’t take another snap the rest of this year. Zack Mahoney should be the starter.
With just two games left a bowl looks all the more unlikely for the Syracuse football team. Those chances diminished after last week’s 35-20 loss to N.C. State. But the biggest news right now emanates from the status of quarterback Eric Dungey.
“Dungey has not been cleared to practice,” head coach Dino Babers said in his weekly press conference. He also said the sophomore QB will get a second opinion from doctors regarding the injury.
We’re still unsure as to what the injury is, but any time second opinions are involved, that’s not a
More from Inside the Loud House
promising sign. Nate Mink of Syracuse.com reported that the injury isn’t expected to be career-ending, which had been the speculation.
The hope is that Dungey can overcome whatever it is he’s dealing with. He’s had two concussions since the beginning of last season and since football is such a violent sport, he’ll always be in harm’s way. And that comes regardless of what and how good the protection is at the line of scrimmage.
With the severity of this issue and the fact that he’s been hurt twice before, Dungey shouldn’t play a single snap the rest of the season. Even if the reports come back positive and he’s cleared, Babers should do everything in his power to make sure his quarterback is fresh for next season. And if this involves putting him in bubble wrap, so be it.
At 4-6 with No. 17 Florida State and Pittsburgh coming up, the reality is that the season is likely over. FSU hasn’t been as formidable as advertised, but make no mistake about it, this is still a team on a higher level than Syracuse is. And the Panthers just beat Clemson, a team that embarrassed the Orange. Vegas spreads and prognostications aren’t gospel, but we do know how this story will end.
So this now comes down to risk versus reward. And for Babers and company, you have to ask yourself what’s to gain by Dungey going back out there. Syracuse corrals more first downs? More points? More shattered records? Then what? This team will be going home to watch bowl games and the College Football Playoff. With Dungey off the field, at least you know for certain he won’t get hurt again, which could fracture next year’s plans.
This could ultimately become a moot point if he isn’t cleared to play in any of the final two games. But it must be said that if something miraculously happens and he’s able to put his helmet back on, the decision should be to allow Zack Mahoney to finish the season.
This article originally appeared on 
