With his top 2 QBs out, Syracuse's Scott Shafer has had extra time to look at others

Bye weeks aren't so bad, especially when the losses are mounting and the injury report has too many entries.

Syracuse's Scott Shafer certainly knows all about that as he tries to piece together a lineup for Saturday's game at Pittsburgh (4-6, 2-4 Atlantic Coast Conference).

The injury-riddled Orange (3-7, 1-5 ACC) have lost three straight games and seven of eight. Despite missing a dozen players — including quarterbacks Terrel Hunt and AJ Long, three offensive linemen, and middle linebacker Marqez Hodge — Syracuse played then-No. 22 Duke even for three quarters before fading in a 27-10 loss on Senior Day in the Carrier Dome.

Having a week off after that was long overdue. Nine straight games had taken a toll.

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