The last two games for Syracuse have been tough sledding, especially on the offensive line.

SU gave up five sacks of quarterback Garrett Shrader in a loss to Clemson, then were unable to get much going against North Carolina.

But every game, Chris Bleich says, is a lesson.

“It was definitely a good experience for us," Bleich said. "Something we keep building on. We'll look at the film, see where we went wrong and what we could fix, and keep building on the other one to make it better as each week goes.”

Bleich is in his sixth and final season of college football, a career that started at the University of Florida. He now sees himself in his second year as a full-time starter for Syracuse.

A mostly injury-free season in 2022 was his first at the college level.

“I wish we got the healthier part sooner in the career here, but honestly, the fact that it's coming for this year is still a great feeling," Bleich said. "It's about the halfway mark of the season. I feel great, and I'm just trying to do everything I could to help this team win right now.”

Bleich detailed his injury history this summer on his podcast, "Lets Talk FIL." His injury troubles began at Florida. Bilateral hip injuries caused by genetics forced a first surgery in early 2020, and he sat out the COVID season due to NCAA transfer rules. He made it through most of the 2021 season with the Orange before the issue returned.

“I think the most frustrating part was when I found out the first surgery kind of got messed up," Bleich said. "So that's why I had to go back in for the second one. That was tough, the most frustrating part because of what had happened; 2021 was such a fun year coming back and everything was going so good for me. And just to have that happen was kind of a kick to the stomach for me.”

But Bleich never let adversity impact his dreams.

“It definitely showed me, I really love football," Bleich said. "I like to be able to fight back. Through a selfish point of view, I feel like you can say a lot of people that kind of popped it up maybe. But I chose to stay around and keep fighting and it was a decision. I'm happy, too.”

He’s back to feeling 100%, saying on his podcast in June he feels like he’s 18 again.

“It's just been fun for me playing with everyone here," Bleich said. "People come and go, but every year is a new challenge for the team and everything the team had to overcome to get to where we are. And for the next two months, obviously, we hope to keep fighting for an ACC Championship. That's obviously the main goal for the team as we move forward.”