By Dave Holcomb
SouthernPigskin.com

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Senior quarterback Eric Dungey has been the heart and soul of the Syracuse Orange since Dino Babers arrived in upstate New York two years ago. The biggest problem, though, has been the health of that heart.

Senior quarterback Eric Dungey has been the heart and soul of the Syracuse Orange since Dino Babers arrived in upstate New York two years ago. The biggest problem, though, has been the health of that heart.

Dungey has yet to finish a season, and hes missed 10 games in three seasons with the Orange. Watching him operate the Syracuse offense against Florida State on Saturday, it isnt hard to see why.

The senior signal caller refuses to slide or run out of bounds on any play, and he came into Week 3 leading the team in rushing. His tenacity has led him to become the leader of the Syracuse program, but its also gotten him a seat on the trainers table far too often.

That happened again Saturday. Dungey left after taking a late hit to the head with about five minutes remaining in the second quarter. He didnt return.

However, this time, Syracuse had an answer to its injury-prone quarterback departing. Redshirt freshman Tommy DeVito stepped in to complete that series with a field goal and then led the Orange on four other scoring drives, as Syracuse romped Florida State, 30-7.

As surprising as the result was, the Orange beating the Seminoles by more than three touchdowns without Dungey is the most shocking part of the win. Syracuse coach Dino Babers raves so much about his starting quarterback that anyone listening gets the feeling that Dungey is, by far, the teams most indispensable player.

The stats show the coach isnt wrong. Before Saturday, when Dungey has played an entire game under Babers, the Orange were 10-9. Without him or when hes left a game with an injury, Syracuse was 0-7.

Make that 1-7 after Saturday. Even if Syracuse already had the lead against a depleted Florida State program at home when he entered, the offense not skipping a beat with DeVito provides Syracuse a major sigh of relief.

It also signifies that the season isnt over even if Dungey has to miss significant time. The Syracuse athletic communications team has yet to disclose what is ailing the senior quarterback, but the smart bet is a concussion.

Ironically, both Syracuse quarterbacks attempted 15 passes Saturday. While Dungey completed seven of his attempts for 75 yards, DeVito, who is a former 3-star prospect from Don Bosco prep, a high school football powerhouse in New Jersey, was 11-of-15 for 144 yards and a touchdown.

The freshman doesnt have the same running ability as Dungey, but DeVito also recorded a rushing score.

In one aspect, it was fitting DeVito came off the bench to secure Syracuses first 3-0 start under Babers. Just as the programs third straight year with a victory against an ACC power does, DeVitos first successful action indicates how bright Syracuses football future may be.

The Orange havent won more than four games in a season since 2013, but they very well could be 4-0 after facing UConn at home next week. Of course after that comes a trip to Clemson, and following that game, Syracuse will not be able to take anything for granted in the ACC.

But with Saturdays victory, the Orange have a clear path to three or four more wins and thus earning their first bowl appearance since 2013.

For Florida State, its once again back to the drawing board. Even against a backup quarterback for part of the day, the Seminoles dont need to be ashamed about their defensive effort. Particularly in the red zone, Florida State stiffened and kept giving its offense chances.

The offense is a different story. The Seminoles should be embarrassed they scored only seven points against a defense that allowed 42 to Western Michigan. Florida State recorded nearly as many penalty yards as offensive yards in the first half, and the Seminoles have managed just 10 points in eight quarters against ACC opponents this year.

Syracuse harassed the Florida State offensive line, which is clearly the Seminoles biggest weakness, all afternoon. The Orange posted four sacks, allowed just 2.7 yards per rush and recorded an interception.

If new coach Willie Taggart doesnt get it together soon, the Florida State bowl streak will snap one year after it really should have. But overall, the day belonged to DeVito and the Orange.