With kicker Ryan Norton suspended for Syracuse’s game against Wake Forest on Saturday, punters Riley Dixon and Jonathan Fisher will share a role in the kicking game.

“Riley will do the kickoffs and then both of them will have opportunities in the field goal category,” Shafer said. “They’ve both done a good job this week with that.”

Norton was arrested on Friday for resisting arrest and underage possession of alcohol. He was suspended by the Orange “due to a violation of team rules,” Shafer said in a statement Wednesday.

Norton began the season as Syracuse’s kickoff specialist and took over full-time kicking duties when Ross Krautman suffered a season-ending, hip-related injury against Northwestern. Norton has made 4-of-6 field goals this year with a long of just 34 yards.

“Ryan will be out this week,” Shafer said during the press conference. “He’ll be back next week.”

In Norton’s absence, Fisher will make his return to the Orange’s kicking game. He began the season as SU’s starting punter, but Dixon replaced him after Syracuse’s loss to the Wildcats. Dixon is listed as both a kicker and punter on the Orange’s roster.

Shafer admitted Thursday that he is “concerned,” but he also expressed confidence in, and excitement about, the two specialists who will be filling the role.

Said Shafer: “(It’s) also a good opportunity for the other two kids to get a chance to kick some field goals, extra points — hopefully a lot of them.”

Published on October 31, 2013 at 11:21 am

Contact David: dbwilson@syr.edu | @DBWilson2