September 24, 2010

Colgate AT Syracuse

In the

September 24-26, 2010

A publication of

Rolling along With Colgate coming to town, Orange looks for best start since 2003

matthew ziegler | staff photographer

GA M EDAY W EEK E N D

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Katie McInerney

Kathleen Ronayne

EDITOR IN CHIEF

MANAGING EDITOR

T H E I N DE PE N DE N T S T U DE N T N E W SPA PE R OF SY R ACUSE, NEW YORK

Sports Editor Presentation Director Photo Editor Copy Editor Asst. Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editor Asst. Photo Editor Asst. Photo Editor Asst. Photo Editor Design Editor Design Editor Design Editor Design Editor Asst. Sports Copy Editor Asst. Sports Copy Editor

Andrew L. John Becca McGovern Bridget Streeter Susan Kim Brett LoGiurato Tony Olivero Kirsten Celo Joe Lingeman Danielle Parhizkaran Elliot Kartus Ankur Patankar Luis Rendon Kelly Sullan Michael Cohen Mark Cooper

General Manager IT Manager Circulation Manager Advertising Representative Advertising Representative Advertising Representative Advertising Representative Advertising Representative Advertising Representative Classifieds Manager Senior Advertising Designer Advertising Design Coordinator Special Advertising Sections Delivery Team Captain Student Business Manager

Peter Waack Derek Ostrander Harold Heron Adam Beilman Eric Forman Kelsey Hoffman Bonnie Jones Adam Schatz Jenna Spivack Michael Kang Lauren Harms Lauren Geniviva Michelle Chiu Brooke Williams Rebekah Jones

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Editors note: Dear readers, This In the Huddle is the first edition of a series of football extras The Daily Orange will distribute for the 2010 football season. In this series, the third year of In the Huddle, our goal is to provide you with a gameday companion to all home football games. Inside, you’ll find a complete breakdown of Syracuse’s Saturday showdown with longtime Central New York rival Colgate. You’ll find everything from key matchups and predictions to important numbers and fun facts about the season. In addition, we’ll provide you with the most important news and notes from around the country and the Big East, complete with a breakdown of the most important games and a Heisman watch. Ultimately, our hope is for you to get the most out of your gameday experience.

Enjoy the game!

Sincerely, Andrew L. John Sports Editor

The Daily Orange is published weekdays during the Syracuse University academic year by The Daily Orange Corp., 744 Ostrom Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210.

All contents Copyright 2005 by The Daily Orange Corp. and may not be reprinted without the expressed written permission of the editor in chief. The Daily Orange is distributed on and around campus with the first two copies complimentary. Each additional copy costs $1.

The Daily Orange is in no way a subsidy or associated with Syracuse University.

All contents © 2006 The Daily Orange Corporation

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matthew ziegler | staff photographer antwon bailey (29) and the Syracuse football team will take on Colgate in a New York State rivalry on Saturday. It is the first time the Orange will play the Raiders since 1987.

Start me up

After 23 years, Raiders come back to Dome to renew New York rivalry

By Andrew L. John

W

Sports Editor

hen Doug Marrone speaks about Colgate, he does so with the utmost respect. Respect that comes from being a part of a tradition that embodies football in upstate New York. From the tradition the Raiders have with SU. But it goes beyond that.

The most recent memory of Syracuse-Colgate was Oct. 24, 1987. The Orangemen rolled to a decisive 52-6 victory at the Carrier Dome, the prelude to what would eventually be an 11-0-1 undefeated season and Sugar Bowl championship.

But the game will likely be remembered because of the fights and player ejections that ensued. The game has since been remembered as a gridiron brawl. SU subsequently ended its rivalry with Col-

gate, and the two teams haven’t faced each other since.

Now 23 years later, Syracuse (2-1) will renew that storied rivalry Saturday (3:30 p.m., ESPN3), when Colgate (1-1) makes the trip to the Dome — a place where it has never won. The memories remain for those familiar with the history of either football program. For some, the wounds have healed. For others, Saturday’s contest will be a celebration of what was once the most heated football rivalry in upstate New York.

“A lot of people are going to come from Colgate to our game,” said Marrone, who is familiar with the rivalry as a former SU player. “I expect them to have a great turnout, and we should have a great turnout. … It is a good game. It is a good game for Central New York.”

The series is the second oldest in Syracuse football history, dating back to 1891. Colgate won that game, 22-16, and currently leads the series with a record of 31-29-5. But the Raiders haven’t ever won inside the Dome. And it hasn’t won a game in the series since 1950 — 14 consecutive losses.

Still, there’s history there. There’s a lot of bad blood. But now, there’s respect. Even today, SU players know that. They’re taught that by those who have come before them, and they embrace it.

“This being the second biggest rivalry in Syracuse history, it means something,” wide receiver Alec Lemon said. “I haven’t witnessed a SyracuseColgate game, so I don’t really know the history behind it. But it’s kind of big for the alumni and Coach Marrone, so we’re going out and playing for see colgate page 26

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fan Perspectives compiled asst. copy editor mark cooper

What are your thoughts on how Ryan Nassib has performed through the first three games?

“Call him ‘slinger’. If he plays like he did last game, we’re in for a treat.”

Patrick Smalanskas Freshman civil engineering major

“He’s been efficient for the most part.

He doesn’t have the interceptions like last year (with) Greg Paulus.”

Michael Morisseau

“He’s been good. The team has impressed me so far this year.”

Jose Del Rio

Sophomore dual international business and entrepreneurship major

“I’m very impressed by the fact that he has already broke the record for touchdown passes.”

Megan Miller

sophomore advertising major

Junior accounting and finance major

“Who’s Ryan Nassib?”

“I believe his speed and agility Stephen James has captivated the game.”

freshman biochemistry major

J.S. Langer

Freshman industrial design major

“Nothing that jumps off the page but a nice, solid college quarterback.”

Perry Russom sophomore dual political science and broadcast journalism major

“He’s done a lot better than (Greg) Paulus has.”

Jon Jones

Junior mechanical engineering major

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Scouting Colgate with Antwon Bailey

matthew ziegler | staff photographer antwon bailey (center) will be the Orange’s change-of-pace running back behind Delone Carter in Saturday’s game against Colgate. Thus far this season, Bailey has rushed for 88 yards on only 17 attempts, a 5.1 average. Bailey has also caught six passes out of the backfield, gaining 41 yards.

By Andrew L. John Sports Editor

On Saturday, Antwon Bailey won’t be the one throwing the touchdown passes or pounding the opposing defense time and time again. He likely won’t be the one catching multiple touchdowns. But he’ll be there, wearing No. 29, doing everything in his power to help Syracuse claim victory over Colgate.

Bailey is the glue of the offense. The guy whose numbers won’t stand out in a box score, but a guy who has as big of an influence on the success of the offense as just about anyone. Just ask Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone.

“The one player that goes around and just does his job and is a player we’re really looking for good things out of this year is Antwon Bailey,” Marrone said during preseason camp. “He’s really been very consistent now, for two years, in his play. He can run the ball well, and he can catch the ball out of the backfield.”

Three games in, Bailey, a 5-foot-8, 192-pound running back, is second on the team in rushing yards behind starter Delone Carter. But Bailey also gives the Orange a pass catcher out of the backfield, making him one of the offense’s best dual-threat players. He’s tied for fourth on the team with six receptions on the season.

That versatility has been a key component to the success of the Syracuse offense through the first three games this season. Bailey is a shifty, change-of-pace

runner with the ball in his hands, yet gives quarterback Ryan Nassib a nice check-down option when in pressure situations.

This week, Bailey will help the offense in its attempt to exploit a defense that has allowed an average of 37 points per game this season. Here’s a look at how he is viewing the task.

things that weren’t forced by the other team. So that’s something we feel we had to get under control, and we’re hoping that’s behind us. … This week’s practice has gone smoothly, and I haven’t seen many of those errors show up this week, so that’s definitely a good sign.

The Daily Orange: Coming in against such a longstanding rival this week at the Carrier Dome, what are your expectations of the game this Saturday?

The defensive scheme they run isn’t much different from what we’ve faced this season, and they aren’t the biggest defense we’ve faced. But they know the system.

They know where they need to be and how to attack.

That’s one thing we’ll have to really be prepared for.

Bailey: It’s going to be a great college football atmosphere. They’re a team from just up the road that has a long history with Syracuse. So it’ll be exciting.

What are some of the things you have seen on film that impresses you about Colgate?

One thing I saw was they’re a very well-coached team; they’re a disciplined team. That’s something you have to account for. They’re not going to have too many missed assignments, too many penalties or guys out of place. That’s what we’re expecting come Saturday.

With all the penalties and mistakes you guys committed last week against Maine, how important is it to clean that up before you face a very disciplined, well-coached team this weekend?

No matter who we are playing, we’ve got to clean those mistakes up. So that’s one thing. Before even getting to the opponent, we needed to clean those things up. Most of those (mistakes) were unforced errors,

What is different about this defense from the others you’ve faced this season?

What have you seen from this Colgate defense that could potentially give you guys some trouble?

Like I said, this team is very disciplined. And as an offense, we cannot put ourselves into situations where we’re making unforced errors. We feel good about where we are as an offense, but we just can’t make the mistakes we made in the first half last week, and I think we’ll be good.

How much does last week’s game against Maine help you this weekend against Colgate?

Bailey: Maine came out strong and really played well early. Every other game we’ve jumped out to an early lead, so we just need to regain that (mentality) this week.

Maine showed they can play, and from what we’ve seen on tape, Colgate is right there, too. aljohn@syr.edu

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matthew ziegler | staff photographer doug marrone (right) and the Syracuse athletic department added Colgate as a late addition to the football schedule in April.

The Raiders are the second FCS opponent the Orange has faced this season, as Syracuse took on Maine last week.

Colgate matchup marks distinct shift from Gross’ past schedule remarks

L

et’s take a trip down memory lane.

In 2007, Daryl Gross was three years into his athletic director post at Syracuse. He had three years to take in Big East football after his move from Southern California. With Pete Carroll at the helm of USC and the Trojans a national powerhouse, Gross designed a non-conference schedule full of similarly ambitioned opponents to USC. He soon found out he couldn’t do the same at SU. Running a program in turmoil under then-head coach Greg Robinson, Gross realized he would have to take a dif-

Bret t Logiur ato

outrageous fun ferent approach to scheduling. And so, in an interview with The Daily Orange three years ago, he even said making a date with a Division I-AA team — or, as the division is now

known, FCS — would be a possibility.

One of them.

“I think I-AA (Football Championship Subdivision) is very considerable,” Gross told The D.O. in an article published on Nov. 8, 2007. “I wouldn’t want to see two I-AA’s on our schedule. But I think one is more than reasonable, especially when we’re growing this program.”

And here we are, three years later. The Orange is gearing up for its fourth game of the season, trying for its best start to a season since 2003. And it is preparing to do

so against an opponent coming to the Carrier Dome — Colgate — that is, of course, its second FCS opponent in as many weeks.

Behind all the glitz of history with Colgate, behind all the preparation for “Alabama,” and behind all the “Maine is a heck of a team” clamor, there is one telling proclamation behind the two weeks of bold, illustrious proclamations about subpar teams. And it comes straight from the horse’s mouth.

“We really didn’t have a lot of options,” SU head coach Doug Marrone said Monday, “on what we could do with our schedule.”

And so, sometime in early April, Colgate Athletic Director David Roach got a call from the SU administration. Was he surprised?

Not really. Just excited for the possibility.

Were they apprehensive? Not really. Just a bit desperate.

“It was late,” Roach said. “I’m not sure that there were many other opportunities for them. We were happy that they did (call), and it’s been something that has caused quite a bit of excitement.”

And why not? There’s the excitement that goes along with bringing back a rivalry of the past that hadn’t been seen in 23 years. But that’s because Colgate football and Syracuse football have taken very different paths in those 23 years.

Colgate downgraded from Division I-A to Division I-AA in 1982. The Raiders have found great success since the move down, but there’s a reason the team made the move in the first place.

They couldn’t compete at the FBS level anymore. Colgate does not offer football scholarships to its players. Only need-based financial aid, per Patriot League football rules. That could change come December.

“The Patriot League is trying to decide whether it will allow football scholarships,” see logiurato page 16

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daily orange file photo marcus sales is competing with Dorian Graham and walk-on Cody Morgan for the newly vacant third receiver position. After finding favor with head coach Doug Marrone in the spring, Sales has yet to play for SU this season.

football notebook

With receiver spot open, Sales confident he has advantage

By Tony Olivero Asst. Sports Editor

Standing among Syracuse fans in the Carrier Dome end zone after April’s spring game, Marcus Sales blended in as just another one of Syracuse’s players. Nary a reporter or fan approached the second-string Sales, as the wide receiver basked in the obscure glory of his 158yard, two-touchdown performance against SU’s second-team defense.

For Sales, the wide receiver of very few words, the postgame was ideal. He could stay to himself and know what exactly the performance he put out on the field that day was. He was just doing his job.

“That’s my job, to catch the ball,” Sales said after the spring game. “It’s just my job to go out there and do work.”

Fast forward five months, and the mentality is still the same. Sales still knows he can do it.

But there is only one problem. Through three games, his coaches — through their decision to not play him — have exhibited they think he can not. The junior has not stepped on the field once in three games — not even receiving garbageminute reps last week against lowly Maine after the No. 3 wide receiver spot opened up with the season-ending injury to Aaron Weaver. Sales has been forgotten.

But the mentality is the same. He still swears, silently, he has it.

“I actually still feel the same way. I never lost confidence,” Sales said Wednesday. “I have been getting mentally stronger through this process that I am going through. Not playing and encouraging my teammates and things like that.”

To Sales, it has been exactly that: a process. It is a process of doing some things he is familiar with: speaking softly. But at the same time, doing something he is not familiar with: speaking softly, but doing it in complete 60-minute trials as a leftover piece to the puzzle on the sideline. That wasn’t always the case. Last season, he hauled in 28 receptions for 324 yards and three touchdowns. Against Connecticut, he

made seven catches for 89 yards.

Now with Weaver out, Sales is competing with junior Dorian Graham, walk-on Cody Morgan and, perhaps his greatest competition, freshman Steve Rene, for that third wide receiving slot. Sales is the favorite, listed in that third spot on the depth chart.

It hasn’t been a secret Sales is that “What happened to him?” guy on the depth chart.

Numerous times throughout the summer and

fall, SU head coach Doug Marrone has brought up Sales’ name in press conferences. Sometimes at his own will. It has almost been a waiting game for Marrone and the coaching staff with Sales. Waiting for him to do something. Anything.

“Marcus Sales will play more, and we need to see him step up and play well for us,” Marrone said Monday. “Dorian Graham will also be in there and Cody (Morgan). Marcus Sales has the

most experience, and he can play two positions, so we have him backing up at X and the third Z right now. We look at it to increase his playing time.”

But thus far, it has been a waiting game for Sales, as well. He hasn’t had the chance to do something, or anything.

But the confidence is still there. The silent sureness remains. Sales thinks he has the see sales page 8

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Sales

from page 7

He is just waiting for that silence to become opportunity on Saturday. It is almost as if he is promising it after five months of nothing.

“I am the most advanced receiver in the group, so I think I have an advantage,” Sales said. “I think we will find out after Saturday who the third receiver is. Hopefully it will answer everyone’s questions about who it is.”

The story behind ‘catch one for Aaron’ As Aaron Weaver’s best friend and roommate, Jose Cruz knew he needed to give him four hours.

After a season-ending injury, even best friends need to give a guy in Weaver’s situation four hours to be. Four hours to just remain alone.

After those four hours — and about 76 hours after Weaver left SU’s practice last Wednesday knowing his season, and maybe career, was over — Cruz did everything he could for Weaver.

It included writing his fallen former Hofstra teammate’s name and numbers on his arm. It included consolation that Wednesday night. And 76 hours later, it included catching the gameswinging touchdown for Weaver.

And it concluded with an immediate embrace on the sidelines.

“We have been through a lot together,” Cruz said. “I gave him his space for a little while. I think he went home around 5 or 6 (p.m.), I didn’t talk to him until around 10 at night or so.”

Added Cruz: “That’s my roommate. So the first person I wanted to see was Aaron. He was the first person I went up to on the sidelines behind the coaches on the sidelines. For me it was something special, my first touchdown ever in college. First person I thought of when they confirmed it was Aaron.”

Never, ever look up into the stands What is the main piece of advice Ricky Krautman — SU kicker Ross Krautman’s brother and a former Orange kicker in his own right from 2003 to 2005 — gives to his sibling daily? Never lift your head any further than you need to. Ever.

The sightline must be the field.

“I talk to him almost every day, and he says to never look up in the stands,” Ross said.

Thus far this year, it appears little brother has

“I am the most advanced receiver in the group, so I think I have an advantage.”

Marcus Sales

SU wide receiver

been listening. Krautman, a freshman walk-on who won the starting job over returning starter Ryan Lichtenstein in preseason camp, is 4-for-5 on field goals with a long of 47.

For Krautman, who looks to be securing his spot for the rest of the season daily, his success comes down to that Krautman-bred focus. It’s about the sightline. It’s about not looking into any stadium’s stands until the time you leave the tunnel.

It’s about being a kicker with vertical blinders. From there the mind is blank, and nothing goes through Krautman’s head. Excitement and comfort are not allowed.

Just the life of a kicker. A Krautman kicker.

“You tend to lose focus,” Krautman said. “It’s always just stay focused in the game. You never know when you are going to go out and kick.” aolivero@syr.edu

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Last they timeplayed Syracuse blows out Colgate in heated 1987 rivalry game on way to undefeated season

S

yracuse and Colgate cut ties to their football rivalry 23 years ago. It was probably for good reason.

In what can only be described as a “nasty” game in every way, the Orangemen routed the Raiders 52-6 on Oct. 24, 1987, in the Carrier Dome. Despite the storied rivalry creating some emotions, Colgate, an I-AA school, did not have enough to compete with Syracuse, which had improved to 7-0 on the season.

For the Orangemen, Colgate was just the game between a Penn State victory the week before and a game against Pittsburgh the next week. In the grand scheme of things, it’s probably one of the least memorable games in an 11-0-1 season for Syracuse that ended with a tie against Auburn in the Sugar Bowl.

But boy, did it spur up the emotions during the game. While Colgate didn’t have the physical talent the Orangemen had, the players stood their ground. And then some, said Syracuse defensive tackle Ted Gregory, who left the game with a bruised knee after what he considered to be a cheap shot.

“They obviously didn’t come to play football, and the score indicated it,” Gregory told the (Albany) Times Union after the game. “They were terrible. I’m very complimentary to the opposing team, always. This is the first time … I have absolutely no respect.”

Syracuse Athletic Director Jake Crouthamel decided this would be the last meeting between Syracuse and Colgate, due to the different paths the two schools were taking athletically. Colgate was a pretty good I-AA team, even defeating I-A

school Army earlier in 1987, but the Orangemen entered this game ranked No. 9 in the nation after defeating Joe Paterno’s Penn State team, 48-21.

After the result that occurred that Saturday, it was probably a good idea.

“Personally I’m sorry to see the series end because I’m an old-timer,” Colgate head coach Fred Dunlap said to the Times Union. “But if Syracuse is going to be in the Top 10, it’s certainly not a good thing.”

Despite the extracurricular activities, which included two ejections (one from each team), the game had a lot of positives for the Orangemen.

The offense produced 560 total yards, proving it could avoid Colgate being a trap game in between two tough opponents.

Quarterback Don McPherson had people talking Heisman Trophy after his performance.

He went 10-for-11 for 244 yards and four touchdowns. His top target, wide receiver Tommy Kane, went for 193 yards and all four of McPherson’s touchdowns.

The ability of the Orangemen to not overlook Colgate and to cruise to a blowout may have done wonders for SU’s fate the rest of the season.

The two-week period of defeating Penn State and then avoiding a letdown against the Raiders sent Syracuse into Pittsburgh as confident as it could have been.

Said McPherson to the Times Union after the game: “The guys are playing very good football right now. Right now, I think we’re unstoppable.”

—Compiled by Asst. Copy Editor Mark Cooper

daily orange file photo

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SYRACUSE TEAM ROSTER 2010

NO.

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NAME

Phillip Thomas Olando Fisher Delone Carter Malcolm Cater Marcus Sales Da’Mon Merkerson Jonny Miller Cody Catalina Ri’Shard Anderson Dorian Graham Marquis Spruill Ryan Nassib Deon Goggins John Kinder Alec Lemon Dom Anene James Jarrett Charley Loeb Keon Lyn Nick Raven Ryan Lichtenstein Brice Hawkes Shamarko Thomas Adrian Fleming Prince-Tyson Gulley Max Suter Derrell Smith Kevyn Scott Jeremi Wilkes Antwon Bailey Steve Rene Clay Cleveland Colin Reno Doug Hogue Dan Vaughan Tombe Kose Mike Holmes George Mayes Ross Krautman Ryan Ahern Ricky Azzoto Zachary McCarrell Joe Nassib Ryan Gillum Shane Kimmel Mario Tull Jerome Smith Robert Nieves Rob Long Carl Cutler Adam Harris Femi Aliyu Andrew Lewis Ollie Haney Chad Battles Mikhail Marinovich Anthony Perkins Cory Boatman Max Leo Lewellyn Coker Macky MacPherson Sean Hickey Andrew Phillips Jarel Lowery Andrew Tiller Justin Pugh Robert Welsh Ryan Bartholomew Adam Rosner Nick Lepak Nicholas Pedrotti Michael Hay Zack Chibane Ian Allport Austin Lane Nick Provo Cody Morgan Van Chew Kyle Ishman Michael Acchione Jose Cruz David Stevens Aaron Weaver Jarrod West Thomas Trendowski Jared Kimmel Brandon Sharpe Charlie Copa Micah Robinson Bud Tribbey Torrey Ball Jay Bromley Beckett Wales Max Beaulieu Chandler Jones

POS.

FS SS RB LB WR CB QB TE CB WR LB QB DL QB WR CB QB QB DB QB K LB SS WR RB SS LB CB DB RB WR FB WR LB LB FB CB CB K FS RB S CB LB FB LB RB FB P FB FB LB DT NT DE DE DT DT LS LB C OL OT OG OT OG DL C OG C OL OT OG OT OL TE WR WR WR WR TE TE WR WR TE DE DE TE DL DT DE DE TE DE DE

HT.

6-0 5-11 5-10 6-1 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-3 6-0 5-11 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-4 6-1 6-3 5-10 6-0 5-10 6-3 5-9 5-11 6-1 5-11 5-9 5-8 5-7 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-2 5-9 5-11 5-8 5-7 6-0 5-9 5-11 5-9 5-11 6-1 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-3 6-2 6-2 5-11 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-5 6-4 6-2 5-11 6-1 6-2 6-5 6-6 6-3 6-5 6-5 6-4 6-2 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-6 6-4 5-8 6-1 6-1 5-10 6-5 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-1 6-6 6-2 6-6 6-3 6-0 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-5

WT.

189 198 215 212 177 184 210 231 185 190 223 224 280 182 196 209 204 208 188 218 155 216 200 198 178 191 232 207 177 192 167 218 182 226 214 253 182 182 154 198 203 195 141 219 242 206 210 221 190 240 232 204 285 292 230 245 282 256 210 210 256 292 280 299 338 287 259 298 326 336 296 290 298 320 300 241 182 170 170 164 250 219 220 190 238 250 233 246 259 290 247 273 233 255 251

CLASS

So. Jr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Sr. So. So. Fr. So. Jr. Fr. So. So. So. So. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. So. Sr. So. Jr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Jr. So. Fr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. Sr. So. Jr. Fr. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. Fr. Jr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So.

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NAME

Omar Auais Noah Jackson Chris Lebel Charles Babb BaRack Little Gavin McCarney Doug Rosnick Evan Colbroen Andrew Nairin Greg Sullivan Coree’ Moses Jason Taylor Jonathan Mputu Josh Hasenberg Steve Rizzo Gary Marshall Scott Rehnquist Vinnie Nicosia Kenny McKenzie Nat Bellamy Wendell Davis Evan Goldszak Demitri Diamond Matthew Shimshock Christopher Krieg Mike Barry Chad Frey Eddy Sihavong Robert Stup Nate Eachus Gigi Cadet Jared Pratt Quinneil Simmons Brad Keele John Tinkham Kurt Roskelly Levi Bursch Austin Dier Patrick Friel Mike Carbone Zauhn Lewis Sam Spitz Nick Cvetic Chris DiMassa Trey Hunsucker Harlan Abeshouse Lamont Sonds Joseph Semanchik Ryan Freeman Bryce Mongeon Jakarri Hamlin Brian Merrifield Andrew Woizesko Tyler Danielsen Michael Kastner Greg Kafaf Michael Watts Chris Horner Brandon Reaney-Graham Kevin Morgan Andrew Scarmardo Brian Crockett Ryan Risch Craig Capodiferro Zack Szabo James Germano Michael Laskowski Vittorio Ottanelli Andy Kavanagh Adam Lock Ryne Morrison Daniel Cason Zach Smith Siddiq Cornish Andrew Burgess Evan McCrea Chris Looney Marcus Hudnell Andy Heagle Jon Pozerycki Matt Johnson Colin Flynn Shane Wilson David Joyce

POS.

DB TB WR WR/TB TE QB WR PK DL QB CB CB WR QB QB SS DB FS CB DB DB PK DB RB RB FS LB RB/DB LB TB FB LB DB FS LB DB RB LB LB LB RB FB TE LB LB OL DE DL OL DE DT OT OG DL OL DL DT OL DT C OL OL OL OL OT OG OL OT LB LB WR WR DE WR PK WR WR LB PK FB DE FB DL DL

HT.

5-9 5-8 6-5 5-11 6-3 6-2 6-2 5-11 6-3 6-1 6-0 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-1 5-10 6-3 6-0 5-9 5-11 5-8 5-11 6-3 6-1 5-11 6-1 6-1 5-10 6-1 5-10 5-11 6-0 5-8 5-11 6-1 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-3 6-0 5-10 6-1 6-5 6-1 5-11 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-3 5-11 6-1 6-3 6-1 6-1 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-0 6-5 6-3 6-6 6-6 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-0 6-2 5-11 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-0 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-3 6-1 6-2 6-2

WT.

177 195 214 208 232 190 227 193 220 215 181 196 210 209 202 185 205 206 180 185 175 189 197 200 185 214 215 201 195 216 228 215 170 189 216 206 205 218 227 216 198 232 256 239 210 272 251 245 260 228 270 285 284 283 255 277 255 275 260 295 285 341 302 294 272 286 270 282 202 229 175 180 238 190 160 195 201 219 155 233 238 231 234 220

CLASS

So. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. Sr. Sr. So. So. So. Jr. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Fr. Fr. So. So. Fr, Fr. Sr. Fr. So. Fr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Sr. So. So. Fr. So. So. Jr. So. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Fr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. So. Fr. Jr. Fr. So. Fr. Jr. Fr. So. So. So. Sr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Sr. So. Sr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Fr.

COLGATE TEAM ROSTER 2010

NO.

sep t ember 2 4-2 6, 2 010

11

12 s e p t e m b e r 2 4 - 2 6 , 2 0 1 0

SPORTS@ DA ILYOR A NGE.COM

3 things Syracuse needs to do against Colgate in its tuneup prior to Big East play

1

2

Dominate with the offensive line

Delone Carter needs to break free

Sure, there have been glaring weaknesses with regards to many facets of the team through three games. There were the discipline issues last Saturday. There have been the muffed kick returns. There has been the subpar play of the defense as a whole.

But moving forward there is, perhaps, no aspect of this team that needs to get on page — and get on page faster — than the offensive line. In the Orange’s only real test this year against Washington, its weaknesses were on full display.

And in its last game, a home opener against an FCS school, the line did not dominate.

Against these schools, domination should be an afterthought if fans are to expect SU to perform well in Big East play. It is not out of the question, and this is the last chance to try to prove it before conference play begins.

Justin Pugh has played better than expected, but the rest of the offensive line has been underwhelming until this point this year. Against the Huskies, the Orange averaged only 3.6 yards per rushing attempt. As for Ryan Nassib, the quarterback was sacked three times.

In its other games, and at times against the Huskies, SU has proved it has the chops to be a solid-to-good pass protection unit. The big bodies of Michael Hay, Zack Chibane, Andrew Tiller and Pugh have been able to provide the flanks to Ryan Bartholomew’s point man to create an imposing pocket.

It’ll be imposing again Saturday. Now the run-blocking needs to catch up or Delone Carter will struggle even more in two weeks in Tampa.

Speaking of Delone Carter…

Just over 80 yards a game isn’t bad for a running back. Especially a running back who hasn’t been with the team for four months. But this is Delone Carter. This is the guy who many thought would be the man for the entirety of the Syracuse team this year.

This is the guy who the entire Louisville defense voted as the hardest Big East running back to face. Tougher than Dion Lewis. Tougher than Noel Devine.

This is the guy who, at his best, puts fear in defenders and makes people think that on every single play, he can break it for 30 yards because of the sheer fact that no one can bring him down alone.

But so far in 2010, whenever Carter has touched the ball, it hasn’t been a feeling of when he will break a long run. Carter hasn’t come across as a back who can go into the end zone on any play. Carter hasn’t dragged entire defensive lines with him on the regular. Carter hasn’t been Carter. Carter hasn’t been the man.

Yes, we probably should have expected somewhat of a slow start for Carter after he was gone for the summer. Yes, the run-blocking has shepherded entire defensive lines in his direction a slew of times more than they should have. They haven’t been opening holes for him.

But performances of 3.5 yards per carry against Akron aren’t going to cut it. Some of the fault is on the offensive line, but Carter needs to average more than five yards per touch Saturday.

He needs to break out for a few 15-plus yard runs.

He needs to start carrying entire FCS defensive lines by his biceps. That will be the proof of a Delone Carter who is ready for the Big East.

matthew ziegler | staff photographer DELONE CARTER has been Syracuse’s work horse on the ground this season and currently leads the Orange with 247 yards rushing and a touchdown on the year.

3

Not let any big-play passing game come to fruition.

That means any.

Derek Session can’t happen again. An FCS wide receiver about to break a game wide open and give an FCS school a 21-10 lead with four minutes remaining in the fi rst half at the Carrier Dome, can’t happen again. Because if it happens again, well, the short-term ramifications will be six points. Doug Rosnick won’t drop it.

The long-term ramifications, well, they won’t temporarily tickle. They’ll sting. Big East play won’t be pretty.

Thanks to the way they played against Washington — 12.7 yards per completion and allowing four touchdowns to the Huskies — and in the fi rst half against Maine, this secondary looks shaky heading into Big East play.

They have the talent to shut good quarterbacks down. But so far this year, they also have

had the tendency to slip up on plays here and there.

Slipping up on plays here and there won’t work in Tampa. They can’t occur this Saturday. They shouldn’t occur this Saturday.

The Raiders — a team that lost 45-15 to Furman — have one receiver who has made more than two catches on the year: Rosnick.

Then they have, well, nothing.

No one can, here and there, burn the SU secondary Saturday. No one can be allowed to drop a surefi re touchdown, a touchdown that would have injected a feeling of “Here we go again” into the Dome.

Because if something burns Syracuse again this weekend, there will be a sense of “Here we go again” from seven days before. And as for conference play, there will be nothing to expect but “Here we go again.”

That feeling can’t happen.

—Compiled by Asst. Sports Editor Tony Olivero

sports@ da ilyor a nge.com

sep t ember 2 4-2 6, 2 010

Quick hit statistics Colgate

Syracuse

22.5 37.0 226.5

29.0 19.3 130.7

115.5 342.0

237.7 368.3

rushing yards allowed per game

226.5

98.7

passing yards allowed per game

151.0

177.3

points per game points allowed per game rushing yards gained per game

passing yards gained per game total offensive yards per game

13

sports@ da ilyor a nge.com

colgate AT Syracuse

key matchups Colgate will run, run, and run the ball against the Syracuse defense. With 279 yards of rushing in two games this season, Eachus is a legitimate threat out of the backfield.

Derrell Smith LB

As a change of pace to Eachus, Raiders quarterback Sullivan will also look to run. On defense, the matchup to look for will be the Colgate backfield against SU’s front seven. If the Orange contains these two, it will be in good shape.

1

Especially against teams like Maine and Colgate, the young, inexperienced offensive line needs to grow up. It only has one more game to do so before the real tests start. As the protector of Ryan Nassib’s blind side, Pugh needs to start help keep Nassib in the pocket.

lamont sonds LB

26

99

8

74

25 51

61

adam lock te

25

did you know?

SU senior cornerback Da’Mon Merkerson and Colgate sophomore offensive lineman Brian Crockett both attended St. Mary’s High School in Passaic, N.J.

they said it

85

21 15

67

SU head coach

“I think any team that suits up in any sport and plays a team goes in with the expectation to win.”

David Roach

Colgate athletic director

UP Next >>

@ South Florida

Oct. 9

75

82

“It is important. Winning is important for this program. The winning, you would hope goes ahead and builds confidence. It is important for us to go out and win and concentrate on what we have to do.”

Doug Marrone

63

SYRACUSE OFFENSE 12 QB Ryan Nassib 3 RB Delone Carter 15 WR Alec Lemon 82 WR Van Chew 87 WR Aaron Weaver 85 TE Jose Cruz 67 LT Justin Pugh 75 LG Zack Chibane 70 C Ryan Bartholomew 66 RG Andrew Tiller 74 RT Michael Hay

Pittsburgh

Oct. 16

28

79 46

14

The number of running backs that have rushed for more than 100 yards in the past 15 games against SU: Pittsburgh’s Dion Lewis, Connecticut’s Jordan Todman and Washington’s Chris Polk.

66

beat writer predictions

12 74

85

ANDREW L. JOHN

Syracuse 42 Colgate 17 A 3-1 start looks really good.

But it’s nothing more than expected. The true measuring stick will come from how efficient and disciplined the Orange looks.

87

12 3 COLGATE DEFENSE

85 DE Zach Smith 65 DT Greg Kafaf 63 DT Tyler Danielsen 53 DE Lamont Sonds 48 LB Chris DiMassa 42 LB Patrick Friel 82 LB Adam Lock 12 CB Coree’ Moses 21 CB Kenny McKenzie 28 FS Mike Barry 25 SS Demitri Diamond

 

37

53

70

     

Points per game given up by the Colgate defense in two games this season.

82

65

    

Receivers to whom Nassib has thrown a touchdown pass.

28 42

48

Colgate’s visit to the Carrier Dome marks the first time it has faced an FBS opponent since 2003.

54

75 77 11 32 33

Provo established himself as a receiving option in last week’s victory over Maine. Against Colgate, he’ll look to continue to spread the field as a quick, strong option from the tight end spot.

nick provo te

11 94

15

The number of different receivers Ryan Nassib has completed a pass to this season.

24

32 justin pugh ot

65 8 5 3

The number of times Syracuse has faced Colgate, a series that dates back to 1891. The 65 matchups are second only to SU’s 70 dates with Penn State.

starting lineups

greg sullivan qb

sep t ember 2 4-2 6, 2 010

by the numbers

Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ESPN3

nate eachus RB

doug houge lb

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

14 s e p t e m b e r 2 4 - 2 6 , 2 0 1 0

BRETT LOGIURATO

COLGATE OFFENSE

11 QB Greg Sullivan 32 RB Nate Eachus 33 FB Gigi Cadet 8 WR Doug Rosnick 14 WR Jonathan Mputu 46 TE Nick Cvetic 74 LT Ryan Risch 61 LG Brian Merrifield 75 C Craig Capodiferro 77 RG James Germano 79 RT Vittorio Ottanelli

@ west virginia

Oct. 23

Syracuse 37 Colgate 17 The Orange will be off to its best start since 2003. That much, we will know. What we won’t know for another two weeks is the true caliber of this Syracuse team.

SYRACUSE DEFENSE 54 DE Mikhail Marinovich 94 NT Bud Tribbey 51 DT Andrew Lewis 99 DE Chandler Jones 11 SLB Marquis Spruill 25 MLB Derrell Smith 32 WLB Doug Hogue 6 cb Da’Mon Merkerson 35 CB Mike Holmes 24 SS Max Suter 1 FS Phillip Thomas

TONY OLIVERO

Syracuse 44 Colgate 10 And so the Civil War returns, and not a single player will get as fumed about the opposition as Ted Gregory, John Dominic or Brian Smith. Syracuse rolls, again. One more step to bowl talk.

@ cincinnati

Oct. 30

louisville

Nov. 6

                     

          

16 s e p t e m b e r 2 4 - 2 6 , 2 0 1 0

SPORTS@ DA ILYOR A NGE.COM

LOGIURATO FROM PAGE 6

Roach said. “If we do, then (Colgate) would want to play one FCS team per year. And we would think about playing Army, Navy, Duke and maybe, occasionally, Syracuse.�

From desperation on one end of the phone to a potential program alteration on the other. Upon adding Colgate to the schedule, Syracuse had nothing to gain and everything to lose.

That all changed this week when, by some miracle — actually, by the ineptitude of FBS

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“That’s just the current rule as it is,â€? Carparelli said of the six wins against non-FCS opponents currently needed for bowl-eligibility. “As you know, all NCAA rules are voted on by the entire membership. ‌ So there’s a reason it’s there.â€?

Four games in, off to the best start in seven years, we still won’t know much about the current Syracuse football team at the end of Saturday. The team will be 3-1, with the entire Big East and the other relevant non-conference opponent Gross managed to schedule — Boston College — still left on its slate.

But if the season shakes out like it should across the nation, Syracuse will be one-half of

“I think I-AA (Football Championship Subdivision) is very considerable. I wouldn’t want to see two I-AA’s on our schedule. But I think one is more than reasonable, especially when we’re growing this program.�

Daryl Gross

SYRACUSE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR IN ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE DAILY ORANGE ON NOV. 8, 2007

college football teams — SU’s road to a bowl may have been repaved.

With an additional bowl on the schedule this season, there is concern there will not be enough traditional bowl-eligible teams to fi ll all the spots. This led the NCAA to consider two options: adding five-win teams, or six-win teams with two wins over FCS teams, to the bowl field.

Nick Carparelli, the chair of the NCAA committee that would determine the next step, said Thursday that discussions are still ongoing. Still, there is apprehension on the committee’s part.

the way to that illustrious bowl appearance.

Gross did not return multiple calls for comment for this story. But Syracuse’s path to a bowl thus far brings up another point Gross mentioned three years ago. “Some people have the model to play some bad people to get into the bowl game,� he said then. “But if your goal is to just get to the bowl game, that’s fi ne. I can fi gure out a way to do that, too. I think we want a bigger picture, too.�

Brett LoGiurato is an assistant sports editor at The Daily Orange, where his column appears occasionally. He can be reached at bplogiur@ syr.edu.

sports@ da ilyor a nge.com

sep t ember 2 4-2 6, 2 010

17

Q & A with Alec Lemon

By Andrew L. John Sports Editor

Alec Lemon, Syracuse’s sophomore receiver, has been an integral part of SU’s offense since arriving on campus. As a freshman in 2009, Lemon was second on the team in receptions, with 29, for 295 yards and a touchdown.

Now Lemon has established himself as one of Ryan Nassib’s favorite targets. Through SU’s first three games, Lemon already has 12 receptions for 141 yards and a team-leading three touchdown catches. Last week against Maine, Lemon caught two touchdown passes after dropping his first couple of passes.

Heading into the weekend, Lemon spoke openly to the media about his most recent performance, his chemistry with Nassib, and how the receiving corps plans to cope without Aaron Weaver, who was lost for the season with a torn ACL.

On how it felt to catch two touchdown passes against Maine Lemon: It feels good. It’s like a relief after coming off a slow first couple games. It’s always good to get into the end zone.

matthew ziegler | staff photographer

On getting the two touchdowns after having a few drops early in the game

alec lemon enters the weekend as one of Ryan Nassib’s favorite targets in the passing game. Through Syracuse’s first three games, the sophomore receiver is second on the team in receptions (12) and receiving yards (141) and first in touchdown catches (3).

I felt like I owed it to the team (after) starting off kind of slow with those couple of drops. I had to make it up to the team and get some in the end zone.

connection with your quarterback, being on the same page with one another, and we just grow from that.

On the outlook around the team after coming off of a win and trying for two in a row You know, you come into the office ready to work, just like you do every week. It doesn’t matter who you play, we’re just going to go out ready to play Saturday. That’s what we’re building up to. It’s always good to build off a win, get that momentum going and continue that momentum going into the Big East.

On the chemistry he has with quarterback Ryan Nassib I kind of felt like it took us awhile, but now that we got a couple in the end zone, it feels good. It feels like we have chemistry, and we can build from that. It feels good having that

dailyorange.com

On the slow start against Maine We weren’t nervous, we were just kind of surprised because we don’t start like this. Then that’s when we just relaxed, slowed down and realized that we need to get back to what we do. … Maybe it was some jitters, but we got over it and got the ‘W.’

On Nick Provo and his importance in the passing game with Aaron Weaver out Nick has always been a threat and a weapon for us. We just have so many other good athletes on the field that we’re just spreading (the ball) around. Now that we need that third receiver, he’s just showing what he can do. He did that Saturday. … He’s a bigger guy, and he can run.

That’s one good thing. You wouldn’t expect him to run as fast as he can — and he can run some

people over — so we’ve got a big, physical, fast receiver out there.

On this being the last game before the bye week and the opening of Big East play We can just use this game and this team as a chance to work on the things that we need to work on and get back on the same page. … But we’re going to approach it like we approach every week, whether it’s Big East or non-conference, and go out there and play the best we can. aljohn@syr.edu

18 s e p t e m b e r 2 4 - 2 6 , 2 0 1 0

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Around the Nation

HEISMAN watch Five players to watch this weekend

courtesy of university of michigan photo services

Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan

Robinson’s dual-threat ability has brought life to Ann Arbor, Mich., this season and might be saving Rich Rodriguez’s job. Through three games, he has already racked up 1,230 total yards by himself. He leads the nation in rushing, running backs included, with 559 yards. His quarterback rating is up nearly 70 points from last season to 159 in 2010. As a byproduct of Robinson’s stellar play, the Wolverines have risen from unranked at the beginning of the season to No. 21 in the country after a 3-0 start.

Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State

If the Broncos go undefeated, Kellen Moore will be a big reason why. The left-handed quarterback will surpass 10,000 career passing yards if he remains healthy in 2010. Through two games, Moore has 585 yards through the air and five touchdowns. With only one interception, his quarterback rating is above 155. Fortunately for Moore, he has arguably one of the best receiving groups in the nation. Austin Pettis and Titus Young, both of whom had 10 or more touchdown receptions in 2009, are back flanking Moore this season.

Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

courtesy of ohio state athletic communications

Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State

Last year’s Rose Bowl MVP left Buckeye fans hungry for the start of the 2010 season last January. Three games into the season, Pryor hasn’t disappointed. OSU is 3-0, and Pryor is protecting the football. He has thrown for 715 yards and 6 touchdowns, but more importantly, he has just two interceptions. A dual threat in his own right, although not quite explosive as Robinson, Pryor has also run for 165 yards and two scores. His next big test will be a tough Wisconsin defense in Madison on Oct. 16.

In last weekend’s win over Georgia, Mallet led his team on a threeplay, 73-yard touchdown drive to take the lead with 15 seconds left.

On a national stage, he showed voters and, perhaps more significantly, NFL scouts that he has what it takes to play quarterback at the next level. Mallet leads the nation in passing yards with 1,081 through three games. His nine passing touchdowns are third best in the country. Arkansas’ offense this year is simple: Let Mallet throw.

If he can keep it up, he may well win the Heisman Trophy.

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

In his team’s three games this season, Luck has been incredibly precise. He’s racked up 674 passing yards and 10 touchdowns without throwing a single interception. His quarterback rating of 192.31 is good for fourth-best in the nation. His success is due in part to solid play from his offensive line. Luck has been sacked just once this season. In his last game against Wake Forest, Luck accounted for five total touchdowns. He’s arguably the Pac-10’s best quarterback this season.

—Compiled by Asst. Copy Editor Michael Cohen

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sep t ember 2 4-2 6, 2 010

19

GAMESOF THEweek No. 1 Alabama at No. 10 Arkansas

Last year’s Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram saw his first action of the season last week when Alabama demolished Duke 62-13. Ingram had just nine carries, but still ran for 151 yards and two scores. The addition of Ingram should help the Crimson Tide manage the clock against Arkansas and keep the ball out of quarterback Ryan Mallet’s hands. Mallet has been on fire this year for the Razorbacks with 1,081 passing yards in just three games.

Player to watch on Alabama: WR Julio Jones — Jones is one of the best receivers in all of college football. His 248 yards is 78 more than any other wide receiver on the ‘Bama team. He is the most reliable target for quarterback Greg McElroy.

Player to watch on Arkansas: WR Joe Adams — Mallet needs someone to throw to, and Adams has been his best deep threat this year. The junior wideout is averaging more than 20 yards per reception this season, including an 85-yard touchdown. His 344 receiving yards is good for fifth in the nation.

AP Top 25 Rank

School

Record

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Alabama (53) Ohio State (5) Boise State (1) Texas Christian Oregon Nebraska Texas (1) Oklahoma Florida Arkansas Wisconsin South Carolina Utah Arizona LSU Stanford Auburn Iowa Miami (Fla.) USC Michigan West Virginia Penn State Oregon State Michigan State

3-0 3-0 2-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 2-1 1-1 3-0 3-0 3-0 2-1 1-1 3-0

No. 12 South Carolina at No. 17 Auburn

South Carolina already has a dominant win over a ranked opponent in then-No. 22 Georgia in Week 2. In a year in which Florida isn’t as powerful as it has been, perhaps the Gamecocks could make a run in the SEC. A win against the Tigers on Saturday would be a big step in the right direction. Auburn is coming off a come-from-behind win against Clemson in overtime. Dual-threat quarterback Cameron Newton has more than 830 total yards so far this season.

Player to watch on South Carolina: RB Marcus Lattimore — He could be the nation’s best freshman tailback in 2010. He is averaging more than 110 yards per game on the ground and already has five touchdowns.

Against a Top 25 team in Georgia, Lattimore gashed the Bulldogs for 182 yards and two scores.

Player to watch on Auburn: RB Michael Dyer — If Lattimore is not the best freshman running back in the country, perhaps Michael Dyer is. Through three games, Dyer has averaged an impressive 5.4 yards per carry and 71 rushing yards per game. He and Newton have already combined for more than 500 yards rushing.

No. 24 Oregon State at No. 3 Boise State

After Boise State’s season-opening win over then-No. 10 Virginia Tech, this could be the last ranked opponent the Broncos will face. That means the last chance to make a statement and plead its case for a chance to play in the national championship if it runs the table. Oregon State’s only loss this year came in the opening game of the season to No. 4 TCU. This game has all the makings of a high-scoring shootout on the blue turf of Boise.

Player to watch on Oregon State: The Rodgers brothers — Running back Jacquizz is one of the most elusive in the nation. After back-to-back seasons of more than 1,200 yards on the ground, he’s looking for similar success in 2010. His brother, James, is the team’s leading receiver with seven catches for 102 yards.

Player to watch on Boise State: QB Kellen Moore — One of the preseason favorites for the Heisman Trophy, Moore hasn’t disappointed through his team’s first two games.

After a dramatic win against then-No. 10 Virginia Tech, the junior put up 370 yards and two touchdowns against Wyoming. With two outstanding wide receivers in Titus Young and Austin Pettis, Moore can be counted on to put up big numbers week in and week out.

No. 5 Oregon at Arizona State

The Ducks have rolled over all three of their opponents this year, with an average margin of victory of 59 points per game. But the Sun Devils are no slouch. Its only loss came on a blocked extra point, resulting in a one-point loss to No. 11 Wisconsin. Arizona State has put up more than 460 yards of offense per game, despite a 2-1 record. Oregon will be tested on the road in its first Pac-10 game of the season.

Player to watch on Oregon: The entire offense — In three games this season, the Ducks have not scored fewer than 48 points.

Its 381 rushing yards per game is second in the country. The team’s freakish scoring average of 63 points per game leads the nation. Six different players have at least 75 rushing yards, and 15 different receivers have caught a pass.

Player to watch on Arizona State: QB Steven Threet — Through three games, Threet sits 15th in the nation in passing yards at just more than 280 per game. On Saturday, he will face the challenge of managing the clock while also putting points on the board for the Sun Devils. The less time Oregon’s offense is on the field, the better.

—Compiled by Asst. Copy Editor Michael Cohen

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blogs.dailyorange.com/sports | blog what a surprise: here comes the bubble, only this time with su football

A

h, the bubble.

How funny it has been and, perhaps will be, for Syracuse. It all comes full

circle.

Get ready for its return … three months early. Only this incarnation of the bubble is reserved for much worse teams. One of those teams could be — and it looks like it will be — Syracuse. Now it just remains to be seen just how situated Otto will be on this prolate spheroid-shaped bubble. After Saturday, SU may only need three more wins in eight games.

And this bubble, if it turns out to make an appearance come December for teams including Syracuse, may speed up the process for a true March-like bubble for college football’s FBS postseason. A bubble this December, consisting of teams that win 42 percent of their games, may be just that embarrassing. But probably not.

It should be.

As for the bubble, it’s fickle. It really is for Syracuse fans. For two decades, it was kind to Syracuse basketball. And then, well, 2007 happened. South Alabama happened. And then, 2008 happened. Just ask Eric Devendorf. Just ask Jim Boeheim.

And in 2010, this might be happening, again.

With the other Syracuse team.

In the last three days, it has been written

tony olivero

purify the colors about ad nauseum. Due to three (supposedly unforeseen) reasons, NCAA teams with 5-7 records and/or two wins over Football Championship Subdivision opponents will have a chance to play in the postseason. The three reasons: - The NCAA’s bump up from 34 to 35 bowl games.

- USC — the same USC Daryl Gross emigrated from — vacating an extra bowl spot for a team due to its postseason ban.

- FCS schools beating FBS schools at a higher rate this season as opposed to last season. FCS schools have already beaten the FBS six times, meaning the FBS will, at most, only have 84 wins over the FCS. Five down from last year’s 89.

Those five may mean a lot. They may mean the postseason for Syracuse.

But with the Orange’s history when it comes to the bubble, could we have predicted a perfect storm any different from the one that might accompany Doug Marrone and his team come Boston College postgame?

And with Orange football’s recent “are you see next page

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s.dailyorange.com/sports | blogs.dailyorange.com/sports | blogs.dailyoran

In anticipation of vacant bowl spots, NCAA considering expanding field MORE UNMERITED TEAMS IN BOWLS WILL FURTHER WATER DOWN NCAA POSTSEASON Syracuse? In a bowl game? With fewer than seven wins? It could happen.

With 35 bowl games slated for the 2010 postseason, the NCAA is looking at a situation in which a team with a losing record might actually get an invite to one of them. Though six wins has been the minimum requirement in years past, that could change this year if there aren’t 70 teams that meet that requirement and fill those slots.

NCAA officials have begun discussing the possibility, which has led to further discussion about whether or not that would be good for college football.

After thinking about that question for a split second, I’m disgusted it even has to be asked. Seriously, does anybody really want to see Vanderbilt vs. Washington State? While we’re at it, let’s go out and catch a ClippersNets game, too. Give me a break. The very thought of it is just absurd. It’s a blatant message the bottom line is more important than putting together the best possible college football matchup. It’s saying watering down what should be the best games of the year is acceptable.

“I don’t necessarily think it’s a good thing if you have a losing record and you’re going to a bowl,” San Diego State athletic director Jim Sterk told The San Diego Union Tribune. Sterk has previously served on the NCAA bowl subcommittee. “I don’t think that’s good for college football.”

No contingency plan is currently in place if fewer than 70 teams were to become bowl-eli-

FROM PREVIOUS PAGE serious” history in the Greg Robinson days, and its recent history (or, er, lack thereof) in the postseason, should we have expected any more deviant of a situation for this team to confront — and maybe creep into a bowl with — come the end of the season? With the history of the program in the Robinson days, this football program would be the football program to get to its first bowl since 2004, thanks to this kinky of

ANDREW L. JOHN

goin’ hog wild gible, but the NCAA is exploring its options. It has kept its fingers crossed, hoping it wouldn’t need one. But as the weeks continue and more and more FCS teams upset potential FBS bowl teams, the likelihood grows. That’s just not something the NCAA envisioned. Oops!

An option is being explored that would allow two wins against FCS squads to count toward bowl eligibility. Currently, only one win against an FCS team counts toward getting to a bowl game.

That could be where Syracuse comes in.

Though SU head coach Doug Marrone and his players and staff have maintained the goal is seven or more wins, it has to be of some comfort that both of their games against FCS schools, assuming they win Saturday, would count toward bowl eligibility.

Bowl games have always been about two things: money and rewarding teams for having a winning season. Now the NCAA might be eliminating half of that equation. If the NCAA does so, it significantly takes away from the competitive nature of the game. It would take away from the excitement on the field and in the stands. The thrill of knowing every game, every snap, really does count.

Because nobody wants to see the Clippers vs. the Nets. aljohn@syr.edu

a situation.

And when you fuse the feelings of the Robinson days with the trials and tribulations Boeheim and SU basketball had with the bubble, with the fact that Gross came from USC, and then with the actual situation itself, it is exactly what this has become for SU: kinky.

Twisted. Tangled.

So with a win over Colgate and then a win over Louisville and any other Big East team,

ORANGE, FANS SHOULD BE ECSTATIC FOR INCREASED BOWL POSSIBILITY ... RIGHT? Syracuse? In a bowl game? With fewer than seven wins? It could happen. And that’s why the team, and its fans, should be excited.

NCAA football is just getting better and better by the day. It’s not like there’s an arbitrary computer system that decides the most important matchup in college football every year. (Oh, right.)

It’s not like there’s only one really meaningful college football game every year. (Oh, right.)

It’s funny, how this little possibility of more teams playing in bowls developed. It happened because the powers that be decided it might be nice to expand to one extra bowl game — from 34 to 35. You know, because there aren’t enough meaningless bowls that come around every year. When ESPN stretches them out … Every.

Single. Day. Just so the diehards of diehards in Wyoming, Idaho and Southern Methodist can cheer on their teams! While the rest of us suffer through a night of pushed-back SportsCenter.

Oh, but now the NCAA has taken it one step further. And it’s a delight. Because of the FBS’ ineptitude — er, parity — when it comes to playing FCS teams, bowl games just got a lot more fun.

Last season, FBS teams only lost five games against FCS teams. This season, they have already lost six. What does that mean? More teams in bowls that wouldn’t ordinarily qualify for them!

Which, of course, brings us to Syracuse. At least the Orange has taken care of business against the lone FCS team it has played, beating Maine last week, 38-14. And because of that, SU is about to be rewarded. (Well, assuming it beats Colgate this weekend.)

Syracuse will enter the Carrier Dome on Nov. 27, ready to face Boston College … on the bubble.

It will be returning in that different shape, ready to make the Orange and Orange fans excited, nervous and begrudgingly nostalgic at the same time. Fans don’t want to remember the South Alabama Jaguars. The six-year hiatus will put a pressure on this team to not have that bubble pop. More so than almost any other team that will be vying for a bowl.

BRET T LoGIUR ATO

outrageous fun How’s that for a booby prize? Beat a team that’s nowhere near your talent level, and get to a bowl for the first time in six years! Because now that the NCAA will likely have no other options than to open up bowl spots to teams that wouldn’t normally be qualifiers, Syracuse is in line to be a benefactor.

Ordinarily, the Orange would have to win seven games to get to a bowl, or six games against non-FCS opponents. But now that its FBS counterparts are more inept than they’ve been recently — and because USC got itself into a little bit of trouble this past summer — SU would only need six wins, or five against nonFCS teams, to make it to a bowl under the new guidelines.

“I know those things are out there, but I have not even put a thought to that,” SU head coach Doug Marrone said in his weekly teleconference Wednesday. “We’re concentrating right now on winning our next game, and really winning our third game of the season out of four opportunities. I don’t look at things that way.”

But Marrone and the rest of the Syracuse players and coaching staff should be ecstatic.

The fans should be ecstatic. Because even though SU will likely be in one of those bowls that just pushes back the Neil Everett-Stan Verrett comedy hour for the rest of the nation, it’s a bowl, right?

Bowl fever, if I’ve ever seen it. bplogiur@syr.edu

Lips will be bitten. Teeth will be chattering.

The nerves will be there.

Thanks to, ah, the bubble. The bubble that loves to inhabit the Dome.

We shouldn’t have expected anything else.

T-minus nine weeks until we see if the Dome bubble bursts. Again. aolivero@syr.edu

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Around the Big East

WEEKEND LINEUP Thursday

No. 19 Miami (Fla.) 31, Pittsburgh 3

The Big East’s struggles continued Thursday night, as Pittsburgh was blown out on its home field by Miami. The Panthers (1-2) mustered just 11 first downs and turned the ball over three times in a game that was never really close. Running back Dion Lewis, whose 1,799 yards rushing last season propelled him into Heisman Trophy consideration entering the season, continued to struggle. His 12 carries for 41 yards Thursday give him just 143 yards through three games on just 3.0 yards per carry.

Saturday

Connecticut (1-2) vs. Buffalo (1-2)

noon, ESPN3 The Huskies, coming off a loss to Temple, welcome another MAC opponent into East Hartford, Conn., in the Bulls. It’s the first time the two teams have met since the 2009 International Bowl, during which UConn rolled, 38-20. The Huskies don’t have International Bowl MVP and now-Indianapolis Colts running back Donald Brown anymore, but Jordan Todman has ran for 448 yards and five touchdowns in UConn’s first three games, at a clip of 7.3 yards per carry.

Rutgers (2-0) vs. North Carolina (0-2)

3:30 p.m., ESPNU The Scarlet Knights come off its bye week looking to make a statement about where it stands in the Big East against UNC. The Tar Heels have been close, but not close enough to picking up big victories in its first two games, losing heartbreakers against LSU and Georgia Tech. Rutgers has only played Norfolk State and Florida International, so UNC will be its toughest opponent to date. The last time these two teams met, the Tar Heels won 44-12 in Piscataway, N.J.

Cincinnati (1-2) vs. No. 8 Oklahoma (3-0)

6 p.m., ESPN2 The Bearcats are one of five Big East teams that have yet to defeat an FBS opponent. Saturday, UC will get one of the best in the country in Oklahoma. Not too much has gone right for Cincinnati this season, a team that leads the NCAA in sacks allowed. The Sooners weren’t too kind of an opponent in the teams’ only other meeting in history, defeating the Bearcats 52-26.

courtesy of west virginia athletic communications

No. 22 West Virginia (3-0) at No. 15 LSU (3-0)

South Florida (1-1) vs. Western Kentucky (0-3)

9 p.m., ESPN2 The Mountaineers, and quarterback Geno Smith, travel down to the Bayou for a prime-time matchup that could determine if WVU is worthy of national-title consideration. West Virginia jumped out to a four-touchdown lead in defeating Maryland last week, and a quick start in Baton Rouge, La., could be critical. No team outside the SEC has defeated LSU at home since UAB in 2000.

7:05 p.m., ESPN3 The Bulls hope to get back on track this week against Western Kentucky. South Florida lost two weeks ago to Florida in a game in which quarterback B.J. Daniels completed just 5-for20 passes with four interceptions. Western Kentucky should be a nice game to right the ship, as the Hilltoppers have lost all three of its games by an average of just over 30 points.

Geno Smith

School

West Virginia

Ryan Nassib Syracuse Tino Sunseri

Pittsburgh

Zach Collaros Cincinnati Adam Froman Louisville

Pass Yards/Game

266.7 230.3 229.5 219.7 211.3

Name

School

Rush Yards/Game

Jordan Todman Connecticut

149.3

Noel Devine

West Virginia

118.0

Bilal Powell

Louisville

109.3

Delone Carter Syracuse

82.3

Joe Martinek

68.5

Rutgers

receiving

Name

rushing

passing

statistics LEADERS Name

School

Receiving Yards/Game

Tavon Austin

West Virginia

93.7

Van Chew

Syracuse

91.7

D.J. Woods

Cincinnati

88.0

Jon Baldwin

Pittsburgh

85.5

Doug Beaumont

Louisville

81.3

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AROUND THE CONFERENCE NEWS AND NOTES Powell turning heads for Louisville

It’s no surprise Louisville’s strength on offense this year is running the football. After all, running back Victor Anderson was the Big East rookie of the year in 2008 when he ran for 1,047 yards and eight touchdowns.

The surprise is it isn’t Anderson who’s shouldering the load for the Cardinals. It’s his partner in the backfield, senior Bilal Powell.

Powell has ran for 328 yards on 52 carries through three games — a rate of 6.3 yards per carry, good for second in the Big East among those with at least 25 carries. It’s even more impressive, considering he ran for just 392 yards on 108 carries last season. In a Big East conference that looks like it could be up for grabs this season, he and Louisville could surprise some folks.

They proved that by almost upsetting Oregon State in Corvallis, Ore., last week, losing by just a touchdown.

“We still have a long ways to go,” Cardinals head coach Charlie Strong said in the Big East coaches teleconference Monday.

“We still have a lot of improvement. We’ve played three games, we’re 1-2. … It’s putting together 60-minute games from all three phases. That’s what we haven’t been able to do yet.”

West Virginia’s newest breakout star can do everything

West Virginia sophomore Tavon Austin was recruited as a running back, and head coach Bill Stewart still expects him to be a running back after current starter Noel Devine graduates. But he’s doing his best wide receiver

sep t ember 2 4-2 6, 2 010

impression for the Mountaineers this season.

Austin, who owns the Maryland state high school records for points, touchdowns, total offensive yards and rushing yards, burned his home state team last Saturday.

He caught seven balls for a career high 106 yards and two touchdowns as WVU cruised past the Terps 31-17. Austin — thought of by some as a candidate for a breakout year before the season — leads the Big East in receptions (21) and yards (281).

Despite all of that, the team believes his true calling will be at running back.

Scary thought.

“Oh, I can tell you (a permanent move to wide receiver) is not going to happen,” Stewart said Monday, “unless we get Superman coming here. Aw, I shouldn’t say that. He’ll play both sides, both positions, running back and wide receiver.”

Romeus’ season not going as planned

Pittsburgh defensive end Greg Romeus — last season’s Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year — has had as rough a start to the season as anyone in college football. He had surgery last Thursday to repair a disc in his lower back, which will keep him out indefi nitely. On Sunday, he was notified his mother passed away after a battle with cancer.

“I think you know how much he means to our program, and personally, my feelings toward him,” Panthers head coach Dave Wannstedt said in the Big East coaches teleconference Monday. “It’s been a tough month, month and a half for him, to say the least, and he did have the successful back surgery a week ago. … The last third of the season or so, we’ll see if we can get him back for us.”

—Compiled by Asst. Copy Editor Mark Cooper

Family Weekend

Fall Study Abroad Fair

Saturday, September 25th 10 am-12 pm, Maxwell Foyer Learn about opportunities to study around the globe, and meet with Dr. Erika Wilkens-Sözen, director of our new center in Istanbul!

8QDEOH WR DWWHQG" 9LVLW RXU RI¿FH DW 106 Walnut Place, or our website at suabroad.syr.edu.

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Tale of the tape Quarterbacks

A position-by-position breakdown of Saturday’s game DEFENSIVE LINE

Ryan Nassib leads the Big East with eight touchdown passes.

Through three games, he looks like the quarterback of the now and the future for Syracuse. The SU offense has run through him. Colgate’s Greg Sullivan has passed for 231 yards in two games. Yeah, this is not a passing team.

Advantage: Syracuse

Running Backs This is Colgate’s bread and butter. Sullivan has rushed for more than half the yardage he has thrown for. And Nate Eachus averages 4.8 yards per carry. The Orange’s rushing game has been slow to develop thus far. Still, Delone Carter came into this season as SU’s go-to guy on offense, and after three games, that hasn’t changed — yet.

Advantage: Syracuse

SU defensive end Chandler Jones broke out with a monster game last week against Maine, recording two sacks totaling 15 yards lost. He had seven tackles. Oh, and he forced two fumbles. Mikhail Marinovich has been unspectacular thus far in not recording a tackle, but head coach Doug Marrone said it has more to do with teams not running to his side.

Colgate’s Lamont Sonds is a force with three sacks on the year, but this one stays with the pattern.

Advantage: Syracuse

LINEBACKERS

This unit is Syracuse’s strength on defense. Led by seniors Doug Hogue and Derrell Smith, the unit is perhaps the best in the Big East. Freshman Marquis Spruill has been solid thus far, and fellow frosh Malcolm Cater made noise with his performance against Maine. Colgate has allowed 519 yards of rushing in two games, and it starts with this unit.

Advantage: Syracuse

Wide Receivers

SU’s receiving corps took a big hit, seemingly, when it lost Aaron Weaver for the season last week. Big deal. The unit went out and helped tear up Maine in the second half last week. With Van Chew, Alec Lemon and tight end Nick Provo, the Orange still has a triumvirate of receiving threats. Colgate? Well, yeah, this is not a passing team.

Advantage: Syracuse

TIGHT ENDS Provo is the downfield receiving threat. Jose Cruz is the blocker who can catch short passes, like the momentous touchdown he had at the end of the first half against Maine. Colgate’s Nick Cvetic is the only tight end on the stat sheet for the Raiders — with one catch for 22 yards.

Advantage: Syracuse

OFFENSIVE LINE

Secondary

And here we meet the shakiest part of SU’s defense thus far. The unit’s miscommunication almost led to a touchdown that would have given Maine a 21-10 lead last Saturday, but receiver Derek Session dropped the pass. Still, Colgate’s secondary has yet to face a coherent passing game, and it’ll be in for a wake-up call when it takes the field Saturday.

Advantage: Syracuse

Special Teams

SU has the best punter in the Big East in Rob Long. Mike Holmes provided a spark with a long punt return last weekend. Prince-Tyson Gulley has been decent out of the kick return slot. If this game was close, the kicking game is what should worry Syracuse fans. Luckily, this game won’t be close.

Advantage: Syracuse

Ryan Nassib can run. Who knew, coming into the season? We found out because the unit protecting him has flushed him out of the pocket much more than he probably has liked. And it has been unable to pave the way for a breakout game from Carter thus far. Colgate’s offensive line probably doesn’t match up talent-wise, but it has done its job in establishing the Raiders’ ground game.

Advantage: Even

Coaching In terms of pure experience, Biddle gets the nod here. Hired by Colgate

before the 1996 season, Biddle turned around a perennially losing team that hadn’t had a winning season since 1990. Now the Raiders are a perennial contender in the Patriot League. In essence, Biddle did the job at Colgate that Doug Marrone hopes to do at Syracuse in the near future.

Advantage: Colgate

sportsdoku!

-Compiled by Asst. Sports Editor Brett LoGiurato

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COlgate from page 3

Or Volunteer to help: - A variety of tasks including: registration, representing, silent auction items, running bids, etc.

them.”

As Marrone and members of his staff who were close to the program during the days of the rivalry have emphasized, Saturday’s game will be another step in restoring the proud traditions of Syracuse football. Another step in bringing back what has been lost over the years. And Colgate is a part of that. Even 23 years removed.

“Every team has my respect,” running back Antwon Bailey said Thursday. “(But) because of the history and the rivalry and what the coaches have been telling us, it gives us a different level of respect for those guys.”

Syracuse will be looking for its best start since 2003, when it started 3-1 before losing 51-7 at Virginia Tech. The Orange is hoping to use this game as an opportunity to enter the bye week with some momentum before opening Big East play in two weeks.

But before looking too far ahead, Bailey and his teammates have some business to take care of. They don’t want to be the team that ends SU’s winning streak in the series with the Raiders.

“One thing that sticks out is that they lead the series,” Bailey said. “That’s something that we’ve got to get back on our end, and it starts with this game on Saturday. There’s no taking this game lightly.”

Yet it might be easy for the Orange to see this as “just another FCS team.” The Orange dropped 38 points on Maine last weekend, and that was after a slow start. Colgate has allowed an average of 37 points per game. To Monmouth and Furman.

Syracuse proved last week it could play a horrendous first half of football at the Dome against Maine, another FCS team, and still come away with a three-touchdown win. It’s something that would tug on any team, especially before a bye week.

Syracuse safety Phillip Thomas doesn’t see things that way. He’s been well-briefed in the history and importance of Syracuse-Colgate.

For Thomas and his teammates, it’s the tradition and the history of the rivalry that makes overlooking this game impossible.

“Coach Marrone, he respects this series,” Thomas said. “And with him as our coach, we respect this series, too. We’ve learned a lot about the history of this series and (Colgate) has our respect, and we’re looking forward to being a part of this rivalry.

“With all the tradition between Syracuse and Colgate, it’s a good series. … Because we respect Colgate, we feel like we have to approach this week like any other week.”

And by approaching the game like every other week, the Orange puts itself in a position to not only get to 3-1 heading into the bye week, but also restore something that had fallen by the wayside. Something that was lost from its storied past.

“They’re a team from up the road, so that’s just another thing we’re thinking about as we renew this series, or rivalry if you want to call it that,” Bailey said. “It’s a big deal. It’s definitely a big deal. … We want to be the best team in New York, so that’s definitely in the back of our minds.”

Naturally, a lot of that comes from Marrone. The respect for Colgate is exuded in the reverence Marrone has when referring to his down-the-road counterparts.

That’s why Marrone speaks about Colgate with respect. Even now, Marrone respects the way Colgate coaches. The way Colgate plays.

The way Colgate fights. Not just then, but now.

“They have a great system, they really do,” Marrone said. “We have to be very sound in what we do. They play extremely hard, they’re extremely well-coached, and they have an excellent system with what they do.”

Syracuse will be celebrating Legends Day at the Dome Saturday, honoring the 1984 Orangemen squad who shocked then-No. 1 Nebraska, 17-9. With that, several of SU’s past football greats will be in attendance. Many of them remember the Colgate rivalry from playing the Raiders in 1982.

And it’s a rivalry that has been renewed — finally.

“There are a lot of good things going on with Syracuse and Colgate,” Marrone said. “It is Central New York.” aljohn@ syr.edu

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