huddle in the • oct. 31 - nov. 1, 2014
syracuse vs. n.c. state
2 october 31 - november 1, 2014
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Family values
Always returning
N.C. State senior linebacker Rodman Noel uses experience growing up in an athletic, close-knit family to excel with the Wolfpack. See Page 15
De’Mornay Pierson-El is a freshman at Nebraska and has quickly established himself as the country’s top punt returner. See Page 19
t h e i n de p e n de n t s t u de n t n e w s pa p e r of s y r ac u s e , n e w yor k
Lara Sorokanich
Meredith Newman
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cover photo by logan reidsma staff photographer
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PRINCE-TYSON GULLEY is part of a running back corps that hasn’t scored a touchdown since the first game of the season, Syracuse’s 27-26 double-overtime win against Villanova on Aug. 29. Though the Orange is seventh in the ACC in rushing yards, 518 plays have passed since the last SU running back scored. logan reidsma staff photographer
BACK OF THE PACK
SU running backs’ scoring struggles hold back Orange By Phil D’Abbraccio asst. sports editor
S
yracuse’s running backs haven’t scored a touchdown since Aug. 29. But head coach Scott Shafer raved about the running backs’ willingness to do whatever Syracuse’s coaches have asked. Offensive coordinator Tim Lester mentioned the puzzle of an offense he has and how these particular pieces fit into it. Asking the running backs to do more, quarterback AJ Long said, would be like “breaking the camel’s back.” Yet ask the tailbacks themselves and
Prince-Tyson Gulley grades his group as doing an “average job” while fellow senior Adonis AmeenMoore gives a similar assessment. Eight games into the year, Syracuse’s depth at running back has yielded a healthy but underperforming group. The collection of backs hopes to take a step up and re-enact the rushing onslaught Syracuse (3-5, 1-3 Atlantic Coast) laid on North Carolina State last year when the Wolfpack (4-4, 0-4) comes to the Carrier Dome for a 3 p.m. meeting on Saturday. “There’s always room for improvement,” Gulley said. “We’re all getting enough touches, but we just need to produce. We need to put some points up at the end of the day.” The tailbacks have tallied just two of the Orange’s nine rushing touchdowns on the year, which is tied for second-to-last of all ACC teams. And both rushing touchdowns were scored in Syracuse’s season opener against Villanova — two
months and 518 plays ago. Before this season, former Syracuse running back Jerome Smith predicted a “five-headed monster” forming in the Orange’s backfield. And it was conceivable. It would combine Gulley’s leadership and shiftiness, Ameen-Moore’s short-yardage downhill running and George Morris II’s pass-protection
skills. Fellow junior Devante McFarlane would fill in the cracks and incoming freshman Ervin Philips was the wildcard who could contribute on special teams. But while the strength in numbers has lent itself to a mostly durable rotation, the strength hasn’t translated to stats, nor the scoreboard. see running
backs page 4
running on empty A Syracuse running back hasn’t scored a touchdown since Adonis Ameen-Moore’s 2-yard score in the season opener against Villanova on Aug. 29. The five SU running backs have only accounted for two total scores on the season, both coming against the Wildcats. Here are four things that have happened since Ameen-Moore’s third-quarter touchdown.
147 – points Syracuse has scored without a touchdown by a running back 11 – offensive touchdowns scored, without one by a running back 518 – number of plays Syracuse has run 1,281 – Syracuse rushing yards
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from page 3
running backs “We’re definitely getting used a lot,” AmeenMoore said. “Some of us are doing things that some of us haven’t done, being outside in the slot and stuff like that. We’re just trying to figure out avenues since we’re so deep in the backfield, just try to figure out ways in which we can all get the ball.” As the offense as a whole continues to sputter, SU’s tried to get creative with the running backs. Philips, Gulley and even the 5-foot-11, 234-pound Ameen-Moore have lined up in the slot. “It’s hard with five guys,” Lester said. Morris hasn’t received many snaps. Touted as somewhat of a hybrid between Gulley and AmeenMoore, Morris — who is playing well on kickoff coverage, his teammates and Shafer said — didn’t get any carries as the Orange lost in Death Valley. He’s been given 26 rushing attempts on the year, including just 16 over the last six games, and has 57 yards — 15 more than punter Riley Dixon — to show for it on the season. “It definitely is (a surprise),” Ameen-Moore said of Morris not being involved. “Even though it’s not the carries that he wants, he still knows he’s helping this team out a lot.” Though the scoring output isn’t there for the running backs, the yardage is. SU is seventh out of 14 in the ACC in rushing yards per game, right on point with Gulley’s “average” assessment. And in six of SU’s eight games, at least one running back has racked up 80 yards on the ground. “The running backs are by far the biggest contributors so far, besides Cole (Murphy),” Long
ERVIN PHILIPS (BOTTOM) has become a part of the Syracuse running back rotation. But he, along with the Orange’s four other running backs, has struggled to execute. Senior Prince-Tyson Gulley said the group has to improve as a whole. logan reidsma staff photographer
said. “Everybody else, including myself, has to step up and help them out because they’ve been the focal point of our offense so far.” When Syracuse trekked to Raleigh, North Carolina last October, quarterback Terrel Hunt threw for 74 yards. But he accumulated 92 yards on the ground while Gulley and Smith scampered for at
least 130 yards apiece. Each of the threescored touchdowns in the SU victory. And the Orange, coming off a loss to Clemson a week prior, ran past the Wolfpack when it couldn’t prevail aerially. If Syracuse can place the right pieces together,
now wouldn’t be a bad time to get off the ground for a repeat performance. “We’re doing everything that needs to be done,” Gulley said. “We need to go over that and stop being, ‘OK, that’s what’s expected.’ We need to go beyond that.” pmdabbra@syr.edu | @PhilDAbb
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RILEY DIXON gets recognized on campus despite being Syracuse’s punter and the hashtag #DixonForHeisman surfaces every time he booms a punt downfield. His longest punt on the season was a 60-yarder against Wake Forest on Oct. 18 and nine of his punts have eclipsed 50 yards. On the season, Dixon has an average of 43.4 yards per punt, with four touchbacks added in. Fifteen of his punts have been downed or have landed inside the 20-yard line and the senior also recorded a passing touchdown against Villanova. margaret lin photo editor
the specialist
Syracuse punter Dixon gains recognition with consistent punting, offensive exploits as one of the conference’s top specialists By Sam Blum asst. copy editor
R
iley Dixon tries to block it all out. Students recognizing him on campus despite his position. The #DixonForHeisman Twitter campaign that comes after every one of his lengthy, well-placed punts. The jokes and jabs his teammates give him in the locker room. He’s dealt with it all this season, but doesn’t think too much about it. “I definitely appreciate the support from anybody who supports me,” Dixon said. “Do I pay attention to it? Not necessarily. My job is to punt the football.” Dixon has done his job well. The senior’s
43.5 yards per punt rank him just 0.9 yards off the Atlantic Coast Conference lead. His 1,869 punting yards are fourth in the conference. More than one-third of his punts have pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line. And while his season’s been defined by his punting, it’s been highlighted by his offensive capabilities. When Syracuse faced Villanova on Aug. 29, Dixon threw a game-winning touchdown on a fake field goal in double overtime to help SU capture a 27-26 win. Against Notre Dame on Sept. 27, he faked a punt and ran 42 yards, becoming SU’s leading rusher for the game in the process. Whether he’s contributing on trick plays or punting the football, he’ll continue to be see dixon page 6
conference ranks
Punter Riley Dixon has been one of Syracuse’s best, most consistent contributors this season. Here’s how he stacks up with the other punters in the ACC.
top 10 acc punters by yards Player Team Yards
Punts
Alexander Kinal
53
Wake Forest
2,310
Bradley Pinion Clemson 2,183
51
A.J. Hughes
Virginia Tech
1,905
46
Riley Dixon
Syracuse
1,869
43
Tommy Hibbard
North Carolina
1,833
45
Ryan Johnson Louisville 1,742
42
Alec Vozenilek Virginia 1,675
38
Alex Howell Boston College 1,657
38
Wil Baumann N.C. State 1,594
34
Ryan Winslow
38
Pittsburgh
1,530
6 october 31 - november 1, 2014
from page 5
dixon a key for the Orange (3-5, 1-3 ACC) against North Carolina State (4-4, 0-4) at 3 p.m. in the Carrier Dome on Saturday. “For a specialist to be making plays, that’s awesome,” SU senior long snapper Sam Rodgers said. “To see him excelling so much this year, it’s really cool.” Dixon was a quarterback in his first two years on the Christian Brothers (Syracuse) Academy football team. But once his junior season came along, Tyler Hamblin, a current Harvard tight end, took over the role and Dixon picked up punting “out of nowhere.”
One thing that’s really cool about Riley is that he just really loves to punt footballs. It’s not something that people really like to do. ...He’ll just punt footballs until you make him stop. Sam Rodgers su long snapper
He said it was a passion of his when he was younger; he would go out into the street and punt footballs to his father, Tom Dixon. And once he picked it up again he didn’t stop. “It’s definitely a craft that I don’t ever think can be perfected,” Dixon said. “I think there are guys that are very good at it, but I
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think it’s impossible to hit your ‘A’ ball every single time. It’s the constant drive to be perfect, even though it may not be possible.” Dixon emerged to take over the primary punting duties from Jonathan Fisher in the second game of last season and has held the job since. In December, the walk-on was rewarded with a scholarship. Rodgers says that as a specialist, much of the job is repetition. It’s about developing a craft, a niche, and getting better and better at it. And Dixon, Rodgers said, takes it to another level. He’s his own coach and if he’s not feeling it, he’ll just keep punting until he does. “One thing that’s really cool about Riley is that he just really loves to punt footballs. It’s not something that people really like to do,” Rodgers said. “… He’ll just punt footballs until you make him stop.” Even though Dixon’s celebrity has cooled off as his 42-yard run goes deeper into the depths of an up-and-down season for Syracuse, he’s been a beacon of consistency. SU head coach Scott Shafer said Dixon has a great ability to get the ball high in the air. When his punts remain in the air upward of five seconds, it allows the coverage unit to get down the field and force fair catches or no yardage gains, Shafer said. Dixon’s notoriety may be partially due to his trick play success, but his punting’s been a constant all season. “It’s great to have a great punter,” Shafer said. “He’s done a very good job. I’m very proud of the way he’s worked at it, and I’m happy for him. He’s having a great season.” sblum@syr.edu | @SamBlum3
RILEY DIXON says that his job is simply to “punt the football.” He’s received attention for throwing a touchdown and a long rush against Notre Dame earlier in the season, but blocks that out to focus on his main job. margaret lin photo editor
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Shafer: Key players out; Chicago trip not an issue in prep By Phil D’Abbraccio asst. sports editor
Last week, Syracuse’s offense was suddenly infused with the re-additions of its top two talents at wide receiver. Now both are back on the shelf. Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer said H-backs Ashton Broyld and Brisly Estime will both be unavailable for Saturday’s 3 p.m. game against North Carolina State. Cornerback Wayne Morgan and offensive tackle Ivan Foy are still out, Shafer added. They have missed time due to lower-body injuries. The head coach sighed heavily before answering the question about Foy and Morgan. “Yeah, they’re doing,” Shafer said before sighing again, “they’re doing a good job. They won’t be ready for this weekend.” SU released its full injury report a few hours after Shafer’s press conference. Also ruled out for Saturday’s game are: linebacker Luke Arciniega (lower body), wide receiver Adly Enoicy (upper body) and nose tackle Wayne Williams (lower body). Right guard Nick Robinson is listed as doubtful with lower-body injury and left guard Rob Trudo is questionable with a lower-body injury. Broyld and Estime returned from their lower-body injuries last week and played during
the Orange’s 16-6 loss at Clemson on Saturday. Broyld bounced back from a four-game absence and was SU’s leading receiver with four catches for 49 yards. Estime, seeing the field after missing three games, didn’t have any catches in the loss to the Tigers. Shafer added that sophomore quarterback Austin Wilson, who had a turn at the starting
spreading it around When Broyld and Estime combine for at least one catch (5 games) – 209 receiving yards per game
When neither has a catch (3 games) – 191 receiving yards per game job in between the injury to Terrel Hunt and AJ Long’s ascension to the starting role, has practiced this week. Wilson had a “pretty good headache” following a hit he took during SU’s loss to Florida State on Oct. 11 and has missed the last two games. “Austin’s doing good, he practiced. He was a little bit rusty, he’d probably be the first one to tell you that,” Shafer said. “But he practiced and got a little bit better Wednesday and he’s got a big, strong arm.”
Shafer refrains from discussing trip to Chicago for NCAA hearing Shafer stepped up to the podium at 6:03 p.m. and began an opening statement on the game. His weekly Thursday press conference in Manley Field House’s Iocolano-Petty Football Wing auditorium had been rescheduled from its usual 10 a.m. start time because he had to travel to Chicago and back for a hearing regarding the NCAA’s wide-ranging inquiry of the Syracuse’s football and basketball programs. As Shafer summed up his opening remarks about Saturday’s game, he addressed the elephant in the room before it could be addressed to him. “With regards to today, I know you guys probably have questions,” Shafer said, “I’m not going to talk about the NCAA matters other than to say that I had a good trip out there earlier this morning, got back for meetings and practice today and I feel great about our situation. I feel great about my time here at Syracuse and we’ll just let that process take care of itself and focus on this N.C. State game.” A couple of minutes after the press conference began, Shafer was asked to comment on which time period in SU’s football program the NCAA is investigating. Shafer declined and reiterated that he wouldn’t discuss it.
The first question Shafer fielded was about how much harder the trip to Chicago made his job as a head coach. “It doesn’t. Fortunately or unfortunately, as Missy knows, we in college football are used to that kind of day,” Shafer said, referring to his wife, who was in attendance of the press conference. “Getting up early in the wee hours of the morning, jumping on an airplane, running around chasing 18-year-old kids and hustling back and coaching football. “... For me, it just felt like a quick recruiting trip, except once I got there, I didn’t have to work at all. I just got to be a spectator and watch and listen.” Shafer also said he simply worked harder earlier in the week to prepare for N.C. State in anticipation of having to leave. “To be quite honest with you, my preparation for the game is probably the most overrated on the staff,” Shafer said. “The guys that really do the work are my coordinators and my assistant coaches, the young coaches and more importantly, the kids. “I just try to manage things and I’m sure they were glad that I was out of the office,” Shafer said, prompting a bit of laughter from his audience, “for a few hours this morning.” pmdabbra@syr.edu | @PhilDAbb
SCOTT SHAFER‘s weekly Thursday press conference was moved from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. because he was in Chicago for a hearing about the NCAA’s investigation involving Syracuse’s football and basketball programs. The SU head coach declined to comment on NCAA matters, but said it was a “good trip” and he feels “great” about the situation. margaret lin photo editor
around the acc
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As Syracuse, North Carolina State try to battle their way out of the bottom half of the Atlantic Division, here is a quick look at Saturday’s matchups from across the conference No. 24 Duke (6-1, 2-1) at Pittsburgh (4-4, 2-2), noon, ESPNU The Blue Devils earned their spot back in the Associated Press Top 25 poll this week after dropping out of the No. 23 rank after week five and steadily accumulating votes throughout the last few weeks. Duke has rebounded from a late-September loss to Miami, knocking off then-No. 22 Georgia Tech on Oct. 11 and taking over the top spot in the ACC’s Coastal Division. The reeling Panthers have lost four of their last five games, the latest being a 56-28 shortcoming against the Yellow Jackets.
Boston College (5-3, 2-2) at Virginia Tech (4-4, 1-3), 12:30 p.m., ACC Network Boston College, one win away from bowl eligibility, could be in jeopardy of not making the postseason if it doesn’t beat the Hokies. Waiting for the Eagles after this week are No. 25 Louisville, No. 2 Florida State and a Syracuse team that could return quarterback Terrel Hunt in time to make one last push for a bowl game in the regular-season finale for both sides on Nov. 29. But the Hokies have faltered since their upset of then-No. 8 Ohio State in early September. VT has fallen to the very bottom of the Coastal Division, ranking third to last in the conference in scoring offense and dropping four of its last six games.
North Carolina (4-4, 2-2) at Miami (5-3, 2-2), 12:30 p.m., ACC Network The Tar Heels have recovered from a four-game losing streak and are winners of their last two games. Junior quarterback Marquise Williams, the ACC’s second-leading passer, has flexed his dualthreat abilities over the past two weeks, running for two touchdowns and throwing five. The Hurricanes boast the fifth-best rushing game in the conference and rode that attack to victory the past two weeks, featuring a pair of 100-plus-yard rushers in both wins over Cincinnati and Virginia Tech. Miami running back Duke Johnson, the ACC’s No. 2 rusher, racked up 169 and 249 yards in those games, respectively.
Virginia (4-4, 2-2) at Georgia Tech (6-2, 3-2), 3:30 p.m., ESPNU With a pair of losses in their last three games, the Yellow Jackets have fallen from the top spot in the Coastal Division. A 56-28 beating of Pittsburgh last weekend — powered by 465 yards from GT’s rushing attack, best in the ACC and top five nationally — clinched bowl eligibility for Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets have a chance to pad their resume with matchups against lowly Virginia on Saturday and North Carolina State next weekend. The Cavaliers, stuck in the lower half of the Coastal, have hit a two-game skid and their rush defense, No. 3 in the ACC, is in for a challenge on the road against the Yellow Jackets’ high-profile running game. — compiled by Phil D’Abbraccio, asst. sports editor, pmdabbra@syr.edu | @PhilDAbb SERVICE HOURS: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 7:30am - 7pm Wednesday - Friday: 7:30am - 7pm Saturday: 8am - 1pm SALES HOURS: Monday - Thursday: 9am - 8pm Friday: 9am - 6pm Saturday: 9am - 5pm
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pregame playbook beat writer predictions
key players
PHIL D’ABBRACCIO syracuse: 21 n.c. state: 13
syracuse
Hopin’ for Raleigh Syracuse’s offense might roll on like a wagon wheel, but it’s not a particularly smooth ride.
JESSE DOUGHERTY n.c. state: 28 syracuse: 20
Wolfed down Syracuse didn’t get into the red zone against Clemson so the problems there didn’t persist last week. Now they’ll pick up where they left off.
leader of the pack
prince-tyson gulley running back
darius kelly strong safe t y
Against the Tigers, Kelly was fifth on the team in tackles with six, with five of them coming solo. The safety also had a tackle for loss and returned an interception 20 yards. He, along with the rest of the secondary, will be key in defending against North Carolina State quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who has thrown for 16 touchdowns on the year.
n.c. state the finisher
syracuse: 24 clemson: 21
The junior running back is tied for fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference with seven rushing touchdowns. He’s only lost 5 yards on the season and after Syracuse had trouble with Clemson running back Wayne Gallman, Thornton could pose a similar challenge.
shadrach thorton running back
here, there, everywhere
rodman noel linebacker
Noel leads the Wolfpack with 6.5 tackles for loss and is third on the team with 48 total tackles. The senior linebacker has also returned an interception for 21 yards and deflected three passes, tied for fourth on the team.
HT: 6’4 WGHT: 223 YEAR: SENIOR
HT: 6’1 WGHT: 206 YEAR: JUNIOR
last time they played
i’ll take that
HT: 5’9 WGHT: 195 YEAR: SENIOR
HT: 5’8 WGHT: 193 YEAR: SENIOR
JACOB KLINGER Howlin’ for (S)U Syracuse outcrawls N.C. State’s tepid offense, leaving the Carrier Dome faithful barking at the moon or whatever the roof is made of.
The senior running back was one of the few bright spots for an otherwise stagnant Syracuse offense on Saturday, rushing for 80 yards against Clemson. For a running backs corps that has no touchdowns since the first week of the season, the Orange needs Gulley to continue playing well.
stat comparisons
syracuse 24 n.c. state 10
Here’s a comparison of Syracuse and N.C. State’s offensive numbers going into Saturday’s matchup.
SU had three rushing TDs, one each from Terrel Hunt, Prince-Tyson Gulley and Jerome Smith. The team totaled 362 rushing yards on the day, compared to the Wolfpack’s 129.
SYRACUSE
197.8
N.C. STATE
225.5
tackles for loss
177.1
180.8
13 4
29.2
SYRACUSE
N.C. STATE
20.5 passing yards
226 74 SYRACUSE
N.C. STATE
points per game
passing yards per game
rushing yards per game
poster series
riley dixon
12 october 31 - november 1, 2014
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Shafer compares Brissett to Steelers’ Roethlisberger By Phil D’Abbraccio asst. sports editor
In the Mid-American Conference, Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer had to game-plan his defenses for Ben Roethlisberger, a two-time Super Bowl champion who’s a big, yet still mobile NFL quarterback. He sees a similar style of play in North Carolina State (4-4, 0-4 Atlantic Coast) quarterback Jacoby Brissett. “I think before he finishes his career in the ACC that he’ll be one of the better quarterbacks — just my opinion,” Shafer said at his weekly press conference Thursday evening. “He reminds me of Ben Roethlisberger.” Brissett, a 6-foot-4, 231-pound redshirt junior, linebacker Rodman Noel and the rest of the Wolfpack go up against Syracuse (3-5, 1-3) at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Carrier Dome. Brissett is third in the ACC in individual offense per game, averaging 248 yards. The quarterback is also fourth in the conference in passing yards per game with 224.5. Although Brissett has just one rushing touchdown and has just one carry longer than 20 yards this season, Shafer praised his ability to extend plays from lengths of three or four seconds to seven or eight. “He moves extremely well. He’s got to have huge hands,” Shafer said. “He made a couple of plays against Florida State that were really exceptional football plays. I mean, a couple of the better college football plays I’ve seen this year.”
In a 56-41 loss to the Seminoles on Sept. 27, Brissett threw for 357 yards and three touchdowns, while completing 32-of-48 without throwing a pick to the reigning national champions. Shafer also likened the quarterback to his own starter, Terrel Hunt. “I think we have to do a good job of containing him on the outside and pressing the pocket on the inside,” Shafer said of Brissett. “He does a really good job stepping up through windows and sliding to his right or left and making plays on the run, or just tucking it and moving the chains.” Shafer added that the NCSU defense reminds him of the units that Dave Doeren, the Wolfpack’s head coach, used to coordinate at Wisconsin. Shafer was Michigan’s defensive coordinator in 2008. Noel, the brother of the Philadelphia 76ers’ Nerlens Noel, is a 6-foot-4, 233-pound senior linebacker. He ranks within the top 30 of the ACC in tackles per game. He’s the Wolfpack’s third-leading tackler and his 6.5 tackles for loss on the year are best on the team. “The thing I like about him is that he probably is the guy who takes charge of the defense as well. You can see him making calls and getting lined up,” Shafer said. “They’re an extremely well-coached defensive team. “(Noel) makes a lot of good, sure tackles in space and he’s a physical football player, as you well know.” pmdabbra@syr.edu | @PhilDAbb
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2014 ROSTER SYRACUSE 1 Ashton Broyld WR
13 Ron Thompson DE
34 Adonis Ameen-Moore RB
57 Omari Palmer OG
81 Jamal Custis WR
1 Julian Whigham CB
14 Ervin Philips RB
35 Dyshawn Davis LB
58 Hernz Laguerre LB
82 Alvin Cornelius WR
2 Quinta Funderburk WR
15 Juwan Dowels CB
36 Alex Hodgkinson K
58 Donnie Foster C
83 Sean Avant WR
2 Wayne Morgan CB
16 Keenan Hale WR
38 Cameron Lynch LB
59 Aaron Roberts OG
84 Ben Lewis WR
3 Durell Eskridge FS
16 Rodney Williams FS
39 Greg Tobias RB
60 Sean Hickey OT
86 Adly Enoicy WR
3 Mitch Kimble QB
17 Jonathan Thomas LB
41 Eric Anthony SS
63 Rony Charles DL
87 Kendall Moore TE
4 AJ Long QB
19 Joe Nassib CB
42 Jacob Green TE
65 Jamar McGloster OT
88 Jarrod West WR
4 Brandon Reddish CB
20 Cordell Hudson CB
42 Joe Stanard CB
67 Michael Lasker OT
89 Josh Parris TE
5 Luke Arciniega LB
21 Chauncey Scissum FS
45 Zaire Franklin LB
68 Nick Robinson OG
90 Cameron MacPherson TE
5 Austin Wilson QB
22 Adrian Flemming WR
46 PJ Batten TE
69 Keith Mitsuuchi LS
91 Isaiah Johnson DE
6 Ritchy Desir SS
23 Prince-Tyson Gulley RB
47 Sam Rodgers LS
70 Jesse Wolf-Gould OG
92 Riley Dixon K/P
7 Troy Green WR
24 Jaston George FS
48 Cole Murphy K
71 Alex Hayes OG
93 Micah Robinson DE
7 Oliver Vigille LB
25 Eric Jackson CB
49 Alryk Perry LB
72 Ivan Foy OT
94 Robert Welsh DE
8 Steve Ishmael WR
25 Jeremiah Kobena WR
50 John Raymon NT
73 Jon Burton OT
95 Chris Slayton DE
8 Darius Kelly SS
27 George Morris II RB
51 Donnie Simmons DE
74 Seamus Shanley OG
96 Jalen Harvey DT
9 Brisly Estime WR
28 Antwan Cordy CB
52 Eric Crume NT
75 Denzel Ward OT
97 Kayton Samuels NT
10 Terrel Hunt QB
29 Devante McFarlane RB
53 Nathan Hines LS
75 Wayne Williams NT
98 Trevon Trejo DE
10 Josh Kirkland LB
30 Parris Bennett LB
54 Kennedy Kodua DE
77 Keaton Darney OL
99 Ryan Sloan DT
11 Colton Moskal LB
31 Clay Cleveland FB
55 Marcus Coleman DT
78 Jason Emerich C
11 Corey Winfield CB
32 Travon Burke FB
55 Rob Trudo OG
79 Taylor Hindy OL
12 Ryan Norton K
33 Marqez Hodge LB
56 John Miller C
80 Tyler Provo TE
N.C. STATE 1 Jarvis Byrd S
20 Hakim Jones S
34 Dexter Wright S
54 Joe Thuney OG
79 Tyler Smith DT
2 Jalan McClendon QB
20 Brady Bodine RB
35 Kentavius Street DE
54 Daivon Alfred DE
80 Bryan Underwood WR
2 Josh Jones S
21 Elliott Davis CB
36 Wil Baumann P
55 Deonte Holden DE
82 Bo Hines WR
3 Jumichael Ramos WR
21 Matt Dayes RB
36 Max Stoffer LB
56 Bryce Kennedy OG
83 Lucas Wilson TE
4 Jerod FernandezLB
22 Dayton Campos WR
37 Jackson Maples PF
57 Peter Daniel OT
84 Marquez Valdes-Scantlin WR
5 Rodman Noel LB
22 Troy Vincent, Jr. CB
37 Josh Sessoms S
58 Airius Moore LB
85 Micah Till TE
5 Josh Taylor QB
24 Shawn Boone S
38 Garrett Bradbury TE
59 John Tu’uta C
86 David J. Grinnage TE
6 Tim Buckley S
25 Niles Clark CB
39 Brandon Pittman LB
60 Quinton Schooley C
87 Pharaoh McKever DE
7 NaQuan Brown WR
26 Tony Creecy RB
41 Cole Boroughs CB
61 Ali Kassem OG
87 Maurice Trowell WR
7 Sean Paul CB
26 Trace Batten S
42 M.J. Salahuddin LB
62 R.C. Brunstetter LS
88 Stephen Louis WR
8 Dravious Wright S
27 Dakwa Nichols RB
43 Coult Culler LB
64 Tyler Reagan OT
89 Benson Browne TE
10 Shadrach Thornton RB
27 Kalen McCain S
44 Devin O’Connor TE
66 Will Richardson OT
90 Mike Rose
11 Juston Burris CB
28 Jaylen Samuels TE/FB
45 Artemis Robinson LB
67 Clark Eyers DT
91 Drew Davis DE
11 Garrett Leatham QB
29 Jack Tocho CB
46 Ernie Robinson L B
67 Evan Pritt OL
92 Hampton Billips DE
12 Nicholas Lacy CB
30 Mike Stevens CB
47 Tyler Purvis FB
69 Thomas Teal DT
93 Justin Jones DT
12 Jacoby Brissett QB
30 Gavin Locklear WR
47 William Stephenson P
70 Terronne Prescod OG
94 Monty Neldson DT
13 Bra’Lon Cherry WR
31 Germaine Pratt S
48 Bryan Smith LB
71 Alex Barr OG
95 Art Norman DE
14 Malcolm Means CB
32 Stephen Morrison WR
48 Cole Cook TE
73 Andy Jomantas OT/OG
96 Scott Thompson LS
14 Woody Cornwell QB
32 Niklas Sade PK
49 Brdley Chubb LB
74 Tyson Chandler OT
96 Kenton Gibbs DT
15 Johnathan Alston WR
33 Ty Linton LB
50 Tony Adams C
75 T.Y. McGill DT
97 Deshaywn Mddleton DT
19 Maurice Morgan WR
33 Charlie Twitty CB
52 Cole Blankenship C
76 Eric Shute OL
98 B.J. Hill DT
19 Evan Brabrand QB
34 Ben Grazen RB
53 Tyler Jones OL
78 Rob Crisp OT
DE
14 october 31 - november 1, 2014
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time machine
Former SU rival, Cornell star revisits Hill in 1942 matchup Editor’s note: In 1942, before Syracuse hosted North Carolina Pre-Flight on Halloween, The Daily Orange sent a reporter to the Hotel Syracuse to track down former Cornell back Lou Buffalino. The photos and cutline are from the original story, which ran under the headline “Where Angels Fear to Tread.” By Florence Feiler
Ever try to keep a drooling hungry bear from his chow? Then you have a hazy mental picture of us blocking Lou Buffalino’s mad sweep around end to dining hall D last night in Hotel Syracuse. With four gold-braided sailors running interference, he would have made a first down if we hadn’t flung ourselves recklessly into his path. “Sir,” we panted, as Navy men piled up on the carpet, “Are you happy to return to Syracuse?” “Make mine steak,” shouted the frail 180pound fullback to a passing waitress. We wondered if the energetic Mr. Buffalino, already bursting vitamins, would be primed by that steak for a neat massacre of Bill Orange. “Sleepy Jim” Crowley strolled by and thumped Lou on back in a friendly fashion— such a thump would have cut a lesser man in half—but Buffalino took it like a true Navy man. Watching his coach disappear into the dining hall, Lou shrugged his shoulders and settled down for a cozy chat. Battering Buff admitted that a 40-hour train ride wasn’t the best training for a football game, but he had confidence in the
stamina of his team. And why shouldn’t he be smug with those All-American ends and a choice assortment of Fordham Unpronounceables “to stand beside him and guide him?” Sorry because all the Syracuse men he used to tangle with have graduated, the Swampscott gob was somewhat nervous about meeting the new Piety crowd miles away from Schoelkopf field. Buff recalled that Orangemen do not tender receptions for visiting
firemen or ex-Cornellians. With only a few million sailor fans to root for him, Lou feels lost without the rah-rah spirit us coeds are full of. Training at Chapel Hill differs somewhat from collegiate standards, too— breakfast starts at 6:10 and the boys don’t remember whether it was kris pies or crunches they munched, for only the number of calories mean anything to the naval dynamos. For two week periods, sports training is
LOU BUFFALINO (LEFT), a Cornell backfield ace two seasons ago, will join up with his former teammate, Mort Landsberg, to captain the Naval Fliers in today’s gridiron battle. Both gridders led Big Red attack against Hillmen two years ago. daily orange file photo
crammed between 7:10 and 9:30 in the morning, while the varsity footballers are sent out for a two-hour swim before pigskin practice in the afternoon. Such a variety of activities keeps all muscles developing in equal proportions, Buffalino explains witha better smile. Our heart begins to bleed for this tired athlete. Reluctantly, Lou admitted that the few boys who play football come from such unheard of schools as Temple, Fordham, Cornell, Boston College, Colgate, Tennessee, Columbia, Dartmouth, Alabama, ’n Pebble Hill prep. Len Eshmont, fastest back seen in these parts, is the only player worth mentioning, Buffalino confided.
october 31 - november 1, 2014 15
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Brothers, coach shape Noel’s competitiveness, leadership By Chris Libonati staff writer
Rodman Noel played basketball in his driveway, touch football with his friends at nearby Everett (Massachusetts) High School and little bit of baseball, too. In some ways, he was a typical kid. But he and his brothers, Jim and Nerlens, all became Division I athletes. They grew up the sons of Haitian immigrants and blue-collar workers. When they arrived home most nights, the house was empty. Their community helped raise them. Those experiences growing up in Everett fostered his competitive spirit and taught him to be a leader. Together, Rodman, Jim and Nerlens built each other’s competitiveness on the basketball court and on the football field, which Rodman will apply as a senior linebacker for N.C. State’s when it faces Syracuse for a 3 p.m. game in the Carrier Dome on Saturday. Nerlens is starting his first NBA season with the Philadelphia 76ers after starring during his one season at Kentucky in 2012–13. Jim is a graduate assistant at Temple football after being cut by the Seattle Seahawks during the 2013 preseason and Rodman leads the Wolfpack defense with 48 total tackles and an interception through eight games. “Their family’s important,” said John DiBiaso, the head football coach at Everett High School, “they’re brothers and they’ve got to look out for each other.” Basketball games in the Noel’s driveway ratcheted up the brothers’ competitiveness.
Their family’s important. They’re brothers and they’ve got to look out for each other. John DiBiaso everett high school head coach
But before the driveway, the boys had to go to the park because they had no hoop. The three Noel brothers stayed at the park until late hours. Dorcina Noel, their mother, would demand they come home and when they refused, she brought home a basketball hoop. She put up the hoop so if they stayed out late, at least they were in their own driveway. On the first night they played until 2 a.m. “When it would start to get real competitive,
see noel page 17
RODMAN NOEL and his brothers would get rides home from practice from their high school football coach, John DiBiaso. With neither of their parents home, DiBiaso often bought them chicken nuggets from McDonald’s for dinner. courtesy of nc state athletics
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october 31 - november 1, 2014 17
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from page 15
noel
we would start shoving each other. If somebody had the game-winning basket, it would start getting a little physical,” Rodman said. “And the other one would get mad because he called a foul, the other person would think it wasn’t a foul and we would start getting into it.” When Rodman was 10, they’d play basketball at Everett and get rides home from DiBiaso. They played with his son and DiBiaso bought them all chicken nuggets on the way home. “I’d be bringing them home and the lights would all be out, their mother and father would still be working,” said DiBiaso who usually dropped the Noels off between 10 and 11 p.m. Dorcina Noel worked in a hospital and Yonel Noel drove cabs to support the family. The Noel brothers relied on each other. Jim played a “big-brother-slash-father” role to Nerlens and Rodman, DiBiaso said. When all three played on the football team during Nerlens’ freshman year, they’d get to practice at different times. DiBiaso said Jim arrived five minutes early, Rodman on time and Nerlens always 20 minutes late. It prompted DiBiaso to teach them to stick together. What Rodman learned growing up translated at Milford (New York) Academy — a cutthroat prep school for football players who want to improve on and off the field. Milford head coach Bill Chaplick said that making it through Milford speaks to Noel’s competitiveness and toughness. “You’re here with players that this is the last shot in their life and if they don’t make it, they’re not going anywhere,” Chaplick said.
RODMAN NOEL has the third-most tackles for N.C. State in 2014. But he grew up competing and learning with his brother Nerlens, a firstround pick of the Philadelphia 76ers and Jim, a former football star at Boston College. courtesy of nc state athletics
“You throw that all in with 55 guys, you’ve got to fight everyday for what you get here and you only get what you earn.” At North Carolina State, head coach Dave Doeren praises Rodman for working off the field to get results on it and calls him a “great
preparation guy.” Now Rodman hopes the late-night basketball games, extra year at Milford and four years at North Carolina State make him the third Noel brother to play a professional sport. It wouldn’t be a coincidence.
“It would mean the world to me. I just know that I am blessed — I came from a great family, a great competitive family and I just thank god,” said Noel. “I’m just gonna have to keep working every day.” cjlibona@syr.edu
18 october 31 - november 1, 2014
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around the nation Country’s best face off Saturday after 1st release of new College Football Playoff poll No. 3 Auburn at No. 4 Ole Miss, 7 p.m., ESPN The Tigers (6-1, 3-1 Southeastern) and Rebels (7-1, 4-1) square off in what could be an elimination game for a College Football Playoff spot. Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall has accounted for 18 touchdowns on the year, with seven coming on the ground. Ole Miss signal-caller Bo Wallace has tallied 18 scores strictly in the air and the Rebels come in with the nation’s top defense, only allowing 10.5 points per game.
No. 7 Texas Christian at No. 20 West Virginia, 3:30 p.m., ABC, ESPN2 The Horned Frogs (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) would still be undefeated and in firm control of a playoff spot if not for a fourth-quarter collapse against Baylor on Oct. 11. Now, TCU and dynamic quarterback Trevone Boykin will face off against the Mountaineers (6-2, 4-1). The Horned Frogs put up 82 points against Texas Tech last week and rank first in the nation in points per game (50.4), but WVU quarterback Clint Trickett ranks fifth in the country in passing yards (2,763) and Kevin White is third in the nation in receiving yards (1,047).
No. 12 Arizona at No. 22 UCLA, 10:30 p.m., ESPN The Wildcats (6-1, 3-1 Pac 12) are coming off a 59-37 shootout win over Washington State as the Bruins (6-2, 3-2) just survived a double-overtime scare in a three-point win over Colorado. UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley hasn’t quite lived up to his preseason Heisman expectations, but he’ll face an Arizona defense that is only 81st in the nation in points allowed per game (28.3).
No. 17 Utah at No. 14 Arizona State, 11 p.m., FOX Sports 1 The Utes (6-1, 3-1 Pac 12) squeaked out a three-point win against USC last week, while the Sun Devils (6-1, 4-1) beat Washington by two touchdowns. Both teams rank in the top 30 in the country in points per game despite not having anybody who’s accounted for more than 10 scores. Utah’s only loss is a one-point defeat to Washington State on Sept. 27, while Arizona State’s lone defeat came in a 35-point drubbing at the hands of UCLA. — Compiled by Matt Schneidman, asst. copy editor, mcschnei@syr.edu | @matt_schneidman
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national
Nebraska freshman adjusts to limited role, leads country By Connor Grossman staff writer
As he was about to receive the first punt of his college career, De’Mornay Pierson-El told himself, “Just catch the ball, please just don’t drop your first return.” The ball sailed right into his arms as a pack of defenders flew into him, and the play resulted in a 1-yard loss. For Pierson-El, a freshman punt returner for Nebraska, it was uncharacteristic for him to start his collegiate football career with a mistake. From his first organized football team at 6 years old through his high school years, his versatility has allowed him to step forward and beyond what was expected from him. After spending his entire career meaning everything to his teams as a quarterback, punt returner and receiver, he’s now just one integral piece to a massive operation with the Cornhuskers (7-1, 3-1 Big Ten), who are currently in first place in the conference’s West division. And in his one main job, he’s the best punt return man in the country. Pierson-El’s got a Division I-best 396 punt return yards and a 104-yard buffer on second place. “He’s fearless,” Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini said. “I think he understands that he’s only scratched the surface of what he’s going to be.” He’s been returning punts as long as he can remember playing, but his speed and power off the line of scrimmage also made him a dangerous dual-threat quarterback in high school.
He rushed for 20 touchdowns and 1,007 yards in his senior season at West Potomac (Virginia) High School in 2013. “Everybody was ‘that’ guy in high school,” Pierson-El said, “but it’s just about getting here and adjusting to the game. “I wasn’t intimidated, I was looking forward
At this level of the game it’s about playing with your eyes, playing with your mind. Knowing how to run your route, knowing how to set up a defender and see a block. Mentally the game has changed a lot for me.
phony — every part needs to be played at the right time — with Pierson-El as the conductor. “At this level of the game it’s about playing with your eyes, playing with your mind,” Pierson-El said. “Knowing how to run your route, knowing how to set up a defender and see a block. “Mentally the game has changed a lot for me.” Pierson-El’s first collegiate touchdown was actually an 8-yard pass against Florida Atlantic in the Cornhuskers’ season opener. His 86-yard punt return for a score was his second.
His versatility has led him to one more touchdown in the return game and another through the air, as his first eight collegiate games are just as indicative of his work ethic as they are of what could come of it. “I’m not going to say I imagined I’d be the best at (returning) as quickly as things have happened,” Pierson-El said, “But I came in working my butt off and knew I was prepared to step into whatever role they need me in.” cgrossma@syr.edu
De’Mornay Pierson-El nebraska punt returner
to the challenge. I like challenges.” Speed was never a problem for Pierson-El. He was always faster than his teammates growing up and mindlessly weaved in and out of defenses for years. His speed was also essential to his success as a punt returner, as was knowing where his blockers were going to be and when. Executing a punt return was no longer a one-man show, rather an orchestrated sym-
DE’MORNAY PIERSON-EL was a multi-position player, but now mostly returns punts. The freshman leads the nation in punt return yards with 396. courtesy of nebraska athletics