Syracuse football likely to be without its ‘best’ offensive player against Colgate

Syracuse, N.Y. -- Syracuse head coach Fran Brown said that running back Yasin Willis probably won’t play for the Orange against Colgate, making him the latest addition to SU’s injury list.

Brown shared the news of Willis’ injury during an appearance on TK99’s Gomez and Company, noting it was also unlikely that safety Devin Grant would play.

“We hope to get Devin Grant back and Yasin Willis,” Brown said. “Don’t think those guys will be playing in this game. ... There are a couple other guys banged up. We’ll try to get guys as healthy as possible for tomorrow night when we play against Colgate, they have a really good head coach, but also when we go out for conference.”

The head coach had dubbed Willis the team’s best offensive player following the Orange’s season-opener against Tennessee, when he had 91 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries.

Willis was the first Syracuse player to rush for three touchdowns in a season-opener in more than two decades. Walter Reyes did it against North Carolina in 2003.

Willis did not start last week against UConn but came on for the Orange in the second series, finishing with 48 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. He split time evenly at running back with Will Nixon.

Willis did not suffer an obvious injury against the Huskies and scored his touchdown with 2:06 remaining in the game, putting the Orange ahead for the first time.

Nixon will presumably start against Colgate for Syracuse. Sophomore Malachi James is the only other running back to receive a carry for the Orange so far this season.

In addition to Willis and Grant, one other key injury for Syracuse early this season is starting left tackle Trevion Mack.

Mack played well for the Orange in the opener navigated the field with his foot elevated on a scooter during the UConn game.

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