NEW YORK — Scott Shafer sees the current state of his defense as an ‘opportunity.’ An opportunity to show his defense is a top-five unit regardless of who’s starting and playing. An opportunity for fresh faces that have excelled on the practice field to show it during a game.

Opportunity knocks because Syracuse lost four players on defense — five total — in the 16-day span during its month off between its regular-season loss to Boston College and the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Thursday. Of those four players, two were also key on special teams.

‘You just move forward,’ Shafer said. ‘Unfortunately, you’re going to have injuries and incidents you’re going to have to adjust to.’

Syracuse (7-5, 4-3 Big East) will attempt to adjust as it prepares to take on Kansas State (7-5, 3-5 Big 12) in Yankee Stadium Thursday (3:20 p.m., ESPN). Adjust and move past the litany of injuries and incidents that has left an already-depleted roster even thinner.

The Orange lost five players in a stretch from Dec. 6 to Dec. 22. That included three starters — punter Rob Long, defensive tackle Andrew Lewis and strong safety Max Suter, all of whom are seniors.

‘We have lost them,’ senior linebacker Derrell Smith said. ‘But we have to play on.’

It started with Long on Dec. 6, when it was announced that he would miss the bowl for surgery to remove a benign brain tumor.

Then, on Dec. 9, Suter was officially declared out for the Pinstripe Bowl with an injured right shoulder.

Shafer said Suter was banged up for the Orange’s last five or six games before he finally opted for surgery. But for a senior that had been through three seasons without a reward, giving up a bowl trip was an anguishing decision.

‘It’s a shame that I didn’t get an opportunity to play in one in my four years here,’ Suter said. ‘But I’m grateful to have been a part of it and help these guys get to a bowl game.’

Shock came the next day, as freshman linebacker Malcolm Cater — who primarily played on special teams — was charged with burglarizing three South Campus apartments.

Lastly, on Dec. 22, the starter Lewis and freshman linebacker Brice Hawkes were suspended for the Pinstripe Bowl for a violation of team rules. No further explanation has been given for their suspensions.

For the latter three players, it was a case of missed opportunity — opportunity over which they had control.

‘That’s what happens when you don’t make smart decisions,’ freshman starting linebacker Marquis Spruill said of Cater after the incident.

For each of the five spots missing, there are different chances for players to step in. Shamarko Thomas has split time with Suter at the strong safety position for much of the season. His playing time grew with Suter’s injury flaring up late in the season, and now he will step in as the full-time strong safety Thursday.

Anthony Perkins, part of a three-man rotation at defensive tackle during the season with Lewis and Bud Tribbey, will similarly likely make the transition a smooth one. Shafer said Cory Boatman and Jason Bromley would likely see increased playing time as well.

Safety and defensive tackle are two positions where Shafer feels comfortable with the replacements — and where the replacements feel comfortable as well.

‘Usually, Max and I rotate for every series, so we’re in different situations,’ Thomas said. ‘So now, I have to be ready for every situation on the field and try to make every play.’

Special teams, then, will be the wild card. Particularly with sophomore Ryan Lichtenstein, who was SU’s kicker last year, almost certainly getting the nod at punter. 

While still in Syracuse, Marrone emphasized how tough of a changeover it would be — from the always-steady Long to the untested Lichtenstein — especially with the added elements in Yankee Stadium.

‘It’s going to be a different environment,’ Marrone said. ‘It’s going to be high winds. It’s going to be cold. There are a lot of things that go into play with that.’

Sitting at a table inside the ballroom of a Grand Hyatt in New York Tuesday, Shafer shook his head at each missing player rifled off. A bevy of important players lost, he conceded. But opportunity awaits for the replacements.

‘I’m excited,’ Shafer said. ‘I’m excited to see Shamarko get extra reps. … I like our rotation at D-tackle. I think we have a good, strong crew that’s ready to play.’

bplogiur@syr.edu

Published on December 28, 2010 at 12:00 pm