Athens, Ohio — Syracuse fullback Chris Elmore will not play against Ohio on Saturday, according to a school spokesman.
Syracuse did not say why Elmore would miss the game.
The senior traveled with the team and was on the field alongside his teammates during warm-ups in casual clothes, but he did not dress for competition.
Elmore is one of six players that head coach Dino Babers has called “super seniors” thanks to their decision to return to the team following last year’s one-win season. Elmore was among the players to lead the team onto the field, wearing a jersey but no helmet or pants.
Elmore’s presence in the backfield and at tight end provides Syracuse versatility and the potential to put an especially powerful package of personnel on the field.
Elmore is the only player expected to be a critical piece of the team who will be unavailable for the Orange in the opener.
Defensive tackle McKinley Williams and offensive guard Dakota Davis, who both missed the majority of the preseason, traveled with the team and are expected to be available. It’s unclear how much either player will play given the amount of time they have missed.
On the other sideline, Ohio will be without two projected starters in wide receiver Isaiah Cox (disciplinary) and linebacker Keye Thompson (knee injury). Cox was the Bobcats’ leading receiver last year with seven catches and 142 yards in three games, while Thompson was sixth on the team in tackles despite playing just two games.
Syracuse had 15 first-year players travel with the team to the game. Those players included Justin Lamson, Umari Hatcher, Duce Chestnut, Kendall Long, Malik Matthew, Austin Roon, Jatius Geer, Enrique Cruz, Wes Hoeh, Austyn Kauhi, Kalan Ellis, Tyler Magnuson, Derek McDonald, Terry Lockett and Elijah Fuentes-Cundiff.
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