October 15, 2010

Pittsburgh AT Syracuse

IN THE

October 15-17, 2010

A publication of

A win over Pittsburgh in the Dome would point Syracuse

the right way PAGE 3

Pittsburgh game preview

PAGE 7

Scouting Pittsburgh with Mike Holmes

PAGES 10-11 Pregame graphics and beat writer predictions

nate shron | staff photographer

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EDITOR IN CHIEF

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o c t ober 15 -17, 2 01 0

3

nate shron | staff photographer The Syracuse football team can move to 5-1 for the first time in more than 10 years with a win against underachieving Pittsburgh Saturday in its Big East home opener.

Buzzed

Despite downplaying game’s significance, Saturday presents rare opportunity for SU

By Andrew L. John

N

Sports Editor

ot long after Syracuse put together a 98-yard game-winning drive, the buzz started. A win at South Florida in its conference opener set the Orange up quite well heading into its conference home opener Saturday against Pittsburgh.

With Syracuse (4-1, 1-0 Big East) looking as legitimate as it has in years, this matchup gives the Orange a chance to take that next step toward returning the program to respectability and to its goal of a bowl bid. Yet to the Orange, this weekend’s matchup is nothing special.

Instead it’s just the next game on the schedule.

“We’re just treating this week like every other game that we have to play,”

freshman tight end Beckett Wales said.

“It’s just the next game. And that’s how we’re treating it.”

In just his first season, it may be unrealistic to expect Wales to approach Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh (2-3, 0-0) any differently. As a freshman, he hasn’t been around for each of the past five matchups between Syracuse and Pitt.

Unlike most of the SU veterans, he wasn’t on the field for any of the five grueling losses over the past five years.

But what may come as a surprise is the fact that several of the veterans who were here for the majority of that losing streak to the Panthers are subscribing to a similar ideology entering the weekend.

With Syracuse staring into the face of a 5-1 start for the first time in more than a decade, Saturday’s matchup against Pittsburgh (noon, Big East Network) at

“You want to win every game, but the only way to do that is by winning the next game. So if there’s any reason this game is big, it’s because it’s the next game.”

Da’Mon Merkerson su cornerback

the Carrier Dome is being hyped as anything but “just another game.”

Yet from Wales to Max Suter and Da’Mon Merkerson, the perception entering this weekend remains the same.

Amid the hype that surrounds what is expected to be one of the most intriguing football games seen in the Dome in quite some time, players are keeping a relatively level head.

“You want to win every game, but the only way to do that is by winning the next

game,” Merkerson said. “So if there’s any reason this game is big, it’s because it’s the next game.”

But for the first time in years, the Orange can’t honestly use that phrase.

Five years ago, under then-head coach Greg Robinson, every game was “just another game.” During that 1-10 season in 2005, when the significance of each game was a lost cause, the players could say that. And it was actually true. see pitt page 12

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fan Perspectives compiled by asst. copy editor mark cooper

Will Syracuse make it to a bowl game this season?

“I expect them to contend in the Big East. I don’t know if they’ll make a bowl or not. I hope so.”

Alex Wronkowski

senior accounting major

“I do expect them to make a bowl.

They got off on the right foot, 1-0 in the conference is the way to go.”

Joe Giarrusso

senior information studies major

“I don’t know if they’ll play in a bowl game, but they’ll have Dominique Cunningham good (crowd) turnouts.”

“I expect better than past years.

They’ll get to a bowl game.”

junior environmental engineering major

Dominique Pierrot

sophomore marketing major

“We have a good chance.

I’m not counting on it, but I always have hope.”

Ryan Dowling

senior counseling major

“They can make a bowl. Last week’s win was definitely impressive.”

Sam Kenney

senior environmental engineering major

DAILYORANGE.COM

“Sadly, I don’t think they’ll make a bowl but they’re heading in the right direction.”

Scott Peters

Freshman Psychology major

“It’s more likely than it has been in a long time.”

Dan Toth

senior finance major

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D

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5

After much-awaited win at USF, time is now for Marrone, Orange

oug Marrone is one who has never shied away from the fact that things take time. His ascent to the Syracuse head coaching position took time — 17 years.

Marrone’s attempt to groom 22 players of Big East caliber who fit his mold took time.

And that win last week, the win in which Syracuse leapfrogged everyone in the Big East, the win in which he shed a tear for his players — the ones who have needed the time to grow — took time. But for any meaningful stretch of time, there is a beginning.

“All the hard work and everything put into getting to that point is just beginning,” Marrone said Monday. “So it’s still a long way to go.

We aren’t even halfway done with the season.

We have to keep getting better every week. I have been saying that for a long time, but it’s the truth.”

It may be “a long way to go,” but here it comes. Quickly. Time is about to fly by.

This Syracuse team doesn’t have any more time. Pittsburgh enters the Carrier Dome Sat-

tony olivero

purify the colors took all of the 666 days since Marrone took the job. Syracuse didn’t make the leap until last Saturday.

But time’s up. With the upcoming two weeks, it could become two weeks full of two seasons worth of exponential growing for this Orange team. Something SU football hasn’t encountered in recent memory, thanks to this year’s schedule.

Last Friday, the Orange was still, to some, the laughingstock of the Big East. SU ranked at 93rd on the Rivals.com weekly power rankings — dead last in the Big East. Two spots below Rutgers. Forty-four spots below South Florida.

“All the hard work and everything put into getting to that point is just beginning.”

Doug Marrone su head coach

urday. Then there is the trip to West Virginia.

That luxury of time — the luxury Marrone’s program has used as a crutch through eight wins and nine losses — is gone.

The time is now.

The time is the next two weeks. The growing and the steps that it took to get Syracuse to its first Big East-defining win over South Florida

Thirty-eight spots below Pittsburgh. Sixty-six spots below West Virginia.

But in one week, Syracuse went from cellar to recognized. Now win this week, and you are a Big East favorite that only had seven days to relish the status of a marginal Big East contender.

You are now a team traveling down to West Virginia on a bandwagon ready to compete in a

game to become the Big East’s favorite.

And you are favored by one point in this week’s game.

It is funny how time has worked for this Syracuse football team this season. The time and the ramifications of it are reflected and pertain to the schedule Syracuse had to traverse. With the first four games, all the talk was of how the game against Akron and the two games versus Maine and Colgate refused to let fans and critics know exactly what this team is. Through four games, everything was a question mark.

Time froze: Could this offensive line play?

Who knows. Can this offense become balanced?

Nothing has been proven yet.

No longer the case.

Within the span of these three weeks, time will not stand still. It will take the route of Antwon Bailey versus Colgate. Straight north and south. Zipping right by.

But for the Orange, any kind of an exponential growth curve yielding in the Big East’s most favorable path to a BCS bowl following the WVU game starts with Saturday. And it starts with a withering down of the overarching theme canvassing this squad right now.

It is about not wasting any time. SU can’t take time Saturday. As the one-point favorite against a team that doesn’t know where it is at right now, admitted by head coach Dave Wannstedt, SU has to blitz through and through. Not just on a Scott Shafer stunt call, even though that will be a part of it and aplenty.

“I thought of wiping the slate clean,” Wannstedt said. “I’ve been in these meetings, and I’ve done it before where you put a drape up over the first half of the season. I’ve done all of that stuff. I’m not sure where we’re at right

now, how we’re trying to figure out who is doing what and how we’re trying to piece everything together.”

It has always been about mindset for Marrone. Saturday, it will be about a “go out and take what is yours” mindset in the first quarter.

Hit and wither away that low Panthers confidence until it is no longer there.

But that can’t take time. It has to be an instant. And if the Orange is to get to 3-0 in the conference, the time it took to pummel Pitt in the Dome will seem like an instant over the course of these 21 days.

Time stood still for this program since Marrone took over. Now he and SU must make sure time doesn’t pass them by.

Tony Olivero is an assistant sports editor at The Daily Orange, where his column appears occasionally. He can be reached at aolivero@syr.edu.

dailyorange.com

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Pitt stop Syracuse hasn’t beaten Big East rival Pittsburgh since a double-overtime, 38-31 victory over the Panthers in 2004. The Orange came closest in 2007, losing by three points.

Here’s a look at how SU has played Pittsburgh in those five contests since 2004:

Year

Location Result

2005

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh 34, Syracuse 17

2006

Syracuse

Pittsburgh 21, Syracuse 11

2007

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh 20, Syracuse 17

2008

Syracuse

Pittsburgh 34, Syracuse 24

2009

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh 37, Syracuse 10

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7

Scouting Pittsburgh with Mike Holmes

By Brett LoGiurato Asst. Sports Editor

SU cornerback Mike Holmes was part of a Syracuse defense that didn’t allow the South Florida offense to score a touchdown last weekend. On Wednesday, Holmes talked about the meaning of the USF win and what it will take to have similar success against the challenge of the Pittsburgh offense.

The Daily Orange: How important is it for you to come out and make a statement against Pittsburgh?

to see our names up on the top.

After suffering through some tough seasons at Syracuse, how much does the South Florida victory feel like redemption for all the hard work you’ve put in?

Everything is starting to come around. I think the hardest part was getting in the mentality of winning games. I think getting a win like this is getting over that hump. We know we’re a good team. So sky’s the limit.

Can you talk about (Pittsburgh quarterback) Tino Sunseri and what he brings to the table?

What do you see in him, and what’s the challenge for you guys there this week?

Holmes: We’ve been saying it for some time that we have a good team. It’s one thing to say it, but to go out there and do it by winning games, that’s what people want to see. It’s a different day. It’s very exciting to go out here and have an opportunity to win games, especially competing in the Big East.

He’s a smart quarterback who doesn’t turn the ball over much. He gets the ball to his receivers well. It’s going to be a challenge, just because of how he manages the game and how smart he is with the ball.

How much momentum does (the win at South Florida last Saturday) give you guys heading into the rest of the Big East schedule?

Another challenge from Pittsburgh is (wide receiver) Jonathan Baldwin. How tough do you think he’s going to be to play against?

It’s definitely a lot of momentum, because South Florida is a good team. They have a lot of athletes. To go out and compete like this in the beginning is a good thing.

What does it mean to you to see the standings and see Syracuse right there at the top?

It’s early on. We really don’t read into it that much. We still have to play every team in the Big East besides South Florida. But it does feel good

matthew ziegler | xtaff photogrpaher mike holmes (35) leads the Big East in punt return average with 18.7 yards per return. He faces a tough test in the Panthers, the top net-punting team in the country. do you think the secondary unit is? Is it where you want it to be? Is there room to improve?

have to do against Pittsburgh specifically to do your part to make that happen?

Baldwin is a great receiver. I had a chance to meet him up at (Big East) media day. Watching him on film, he covers the field well. He’s a very tall receiver with a big body. It’s going to be a challenge for me and (SU cornerback) Da’Mon (Merkerson). But we’re prepared, so I’m looking forward to playing him.

We definitely have room to improve. Going over the film (from USF), there were definitely some mistakes that were made. There are always areas to improve. We’re never getting complacent of where we are in the secondary.

Secondary-wise, we definitely have opportunities to change the game. So we’re just trying to make more plays and create more turnovers in the secondary, so we can change the game.

At this point, after a very good performance from the secondary last week at USF, where

Syracuse hasn’t beaten Pittsburgh since 2004. So what do you and the secondary

Just play good football, you know. Talking about the Big East, too, I haven’t beaten a handful of Big East teams since I’ve been here.

I hadn’t gotten a chance to beat South Florida, being one. A lot of us were talking about that. It just felt good to be able to go out and have the last laugh and win going out. Pittsburgh is another team we haven’t beaten since I’ve been here and since a lot of the seniors have been here. So it’ll definitely feel good to go out winning. bplogiur@syr.edu

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Last time they played It was a game that reflected most of the storylines from the 2009 season. Delone Carter played well for Syracuse, the passing game struggled and the defense wore down by the end of the game.

The result, a 37-10 road loss to No. 14 Pittsburgh, left the team unsatisfied.

“That’s fine, but it really doesn’t matter to me unless I win,” Carter said after the game, according to an article published by The Daily Orange on Nov. 9, 2009. “All the yards and all that, it really doesn’t mean anything to me unless I get ‘W.’” But in reality, he had been the only one who really did execute. Carter’s 143 yards rushing would prove to be his second highest total of the 2009 season and one of his four 100-yard games.

Add in his one reception for 22 yards, he accounted for 58 percent of his team’s total yards.

Though Carter was carrying the load, including a career-best 58-yard run, the rest of the offense was anemic. Quarterbacks Greg Paulus and Ryan Nassib combined to complete just 50 percent of their passes. They threw for a total of 141 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions.

“They do a good job with their pass rush,” Paulus said. “Defensively, they made some good plays in the secondary. Whether that’s knocking the ball away to get an interception, they do a good job of pressuring and being fundamentally sound.”

Looking back, this would be only the second game all season in which fans would get to see Nassib, the quarterback of the future, for an extended period of time.

And he did nothing to impress.

He attempted a season-high 16 passes, but completed just five for a total of 21 yards. SU

Pittsburgh 37, Syracuse 10

traveled with just 55 scholarship players, which made it nearly impossible to beat one of the Big East’s bests.

“Obviously, we don’t have a lot of depth on our football team,” head coach Doug Marrone said. “But again, that’s a problem we have now, and I don’t see this as a problem at all for the future of this program.”

Syracuse played without wide receiver Mike Williams, who was leading the team in every receiving category. The Orange was also without running back Antwon Bailey, defensive end Torrey Ball and guard Andrew Tiller, who were suspended.

Tight end Cody Catalina and Max Suter sustained injuries in the first half and couldn’t return.

“We had some injuries occur,” Marrone said.

“Those injuries forced us to come out of some of our packages, which limited us somewhat on offense and defense.”

And that is when the Panthers capitalized: the second half. Twenty-four of the team’s 37 points came after halftime, due in large part to three players having at least 55 yards rushing.

Freshman Dion Lewis led the way with 110 yards and a touchdown by himself. In all, Pittsburgh gouged a defense that was giving up fewer than 90 rushing yards per game for 247 yards on the ground.

“I think we did a good job of keeping our feet on the ground, knowing the importance of this conference game putting us 5-0, coming out and not taking nothing for granted,” Pittsburgh head coach Dave Wannstedt said. “We got it going in the second half.”

— Compiled by Asst. Copy Editor Michael Cohen

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Quick hit statistics Pittsburgh

Syracuse

POINTS PER GAME

25.2

POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME

22.8

28.4 14.8

RUSHING YARDS GAINED PER GAME

157.8

163.8

PASSING YARDS GAINED PER GAME

201.0

206.0

TOTAL OFFENSIVE YARDS PER GAME

358.8

369.8

RUSHING YARDS ALLOWED PER GAME

95.0

124.2

PASSING YARDS ALLOWED PER GAME

244.2

160.4

TOTAL YARDS ALLOWED PER GAME

339.2

284.6

9

key matchups

Graham has the same amount of rushing attempts as preseason Heisman Trophy candidate Dion Lewis. He has 317 more yards than Lewis on those 60 attempts. He has become a true rushing threat in the Big East.

derrell smith lb

justin pugh LT

starting lineups

24

ray graham rb

jabaal sheard de

35

54

87

77 54

25 94

van chew wr

11 51

99

6

61 52 68 85

82

27 28

The current NCAA rank for Syracuse’s pass defense. The Orange is giving up just 160.4 passing yards per game.

jared holley Fs

31

did you know?

The last time a Pittsburgh player has converted on a 50-plus yard field goal was all the way back in 1994. Sixteen years ago, David Merrick hit a 54-yarder versus Texas.

Syracuse has scored the exact same number of total points in the second quarter and the third quarter thus far this year: 37.

Pittsburgh has scored the exact same number of points in the second quarter and third quarter as well: 27. But the Panthers have scored by far their most points in the fourth quarter, as Pitt has racked up 59 total points in 75 total minutes.

38 26 15

they said it

18

98

67

75

70

22

97 66

74

85

Da’Mon Merkerson

su cornerback

“We have to beat Pitt. It’s time to get after them this year, and we’re ready to do it.”

Max Suter

SYRACUSE OFFENSE 12 QB RYAN NASSIB 3 RB DELONE CARTER 49 FB ADAM HARRIS 15 WR ALEC LEMON 82 WR VAN CHEW 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 DEFENSE 97 LE JABAAL SHEARD 98 DT CHAS ALECXIH 94 NT MYLES CARAGEIN 35 RE BRANDON LINDSEY 38 LB GREG WILLIAMS 55 LB MAX GRUDER 32 LB TRISTAN ROBERTS 26 CB RICKY GARY 22 CB ANTWUAN REED 31 SS DOM DECICCO 18 FS JARRED HOLLEY

@west virginia

Oct. 23, noon

@Cincinnati

Oct. 30, TBD

beat writer predictions ANDREW L. JOHN Syracuse 21 Pittsburgh 17 Despite the fact that Pitt is 2-3, this could honestly be SU’s toughest game of the year. But SU knows the significance of this game, and the Dome crowd will help.

BRETT LoGIURATO

PITTSBURGH OFFENSE 12 QB TINO SUNSERI 28 RB DION LEWIS 27 FB HENRY HYNOSKI 87 WR MIKE SHANAHAN 82 WR JON BALDWIN 85 TE MIKE CRUZ 77 LT JASON PINKSTON 54 LG CHRIS JACOBSON 61 C ALEX KARABIN 52 RG LUCAS NIX 68 RT JORDAN GIBBS

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 RYAN GILLUM 6 CB DA’MON MERKERSON 35 CB MIKE HOLMES 24 SS MAX SUTER 1 FS PHILLIP THOMAS

su strong safety

UP Next >>

82

12 49 3

“Whenever you set a goal and you can see it unfold, it’s always a great sense of satisfaction to see the plan in action. I think after each win, we do feel a sense of satisfaction as we continue to move forward, but we can’t dwell on wins because there is always something up next.”

Upperclassmen and graduate students now have a housing option that offers more amenities, safety and conveniences.

The NCAA rank for the Orange in fewest penalties per game, out of 120 Division I-A teams.

55 32

35 94

louisville

Nov. 6, noon

11

place to li v ? e

The number of yards SU running back Delone Carter needs to surpass NFL Hall-of-Famer Larry Csonka for third place on Syracuse’s career rushing list.

12

Chew had his least spectacular game of SU’s season last week as the Orange offense struggled. He’ll need to be that big-play threat and deep target once again for Ryan Nassib.

Look ing for a n

The number of net punting yards the Panthers punter Dan Hutchins average on the season. This is good for first in the nation.

1

32 No rest for an always-tested SU offensive line.

Three players on Pittsburgh have four sacks or more, including Sheard, who leads the Panthers with five sacks.

207 45.26 539 14 117

The number of running yards Pitt running back Ray Graham has tallied on average this season.

Saturday, noon, Big East Network

jon baldwin wr

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by the numbers

PITTSBURGH AT Syracuse

Merkerson had a key interception in last week’s victory over South Florida. He’ll need to shut down Baldwin, who leads the Panthers with 322 yards receiving and three touchdowns.

da’mon merkerson cb

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ew

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10 o c t o b e r 1 5 - 1 7, 2 0 1 0

Pittsburgh 20 Syracuse 17 A little dose of reality for the Orange here. There are still flaws that need to be fixed before SU can win another marquee game. One drive won’t save SU- this time.

TONY OLIVERO Pittsburgh 24 Syracuse 17 It took Marrone’s SU 666 days (yes, 666) to muster up the complete game for the USF-caliber win. One week just isn’t enough to pull it off back-to-back.

@rugters

Nov. 13, TBD

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12 o c t o b e r 1 5 - 1 7, 2 0 1 0

PITT

FROM PAGE 3

Even a year ago, under current head coach Doug Marrone, players could get away with saying that. The Orange was in a transition year, in Marrone’s first season, and the foundation was just being laid. The outside expectations were nonexistent.

Though the players maintain the same disposition about this week’s game, deep down inside, they understand the significance. For them, a chance to advance the program’s best record in over a decade is the reality. A chance to do that by taking down the preseason favorite to win the conference is what has billed this game as perhaps the most significant to grace the Dome in years.

That’s what makes this more than “just another game.” SU is sitting on the doorstep of

something significant.

“Whenever you set a goal and you can see it unfold, it’s always a great sense of satisfaction to see the plan in action,” Merkerson said.

“I think after each win, we do feel a sense of satisfaction as we continue to move forward, but we can’t dwell on wins because there is always something up next.

“So as big as it would be to win (Saturday), it’s just the next step. I think we’ve done a good job staying on course for our ultimate goal, and we need to stay focused each week to obtain it.”

It’s easy to see how the hype may have spun out of control. But the reality is this game is just that significant for the Orange football program.

A loss certainly doesn’t ruin the season or crush SU’s hopes for a bowl bid. But a win? Well, that would set off a level of hysteria not seen since the Donovan McNabb era, when SU was at its highest recent peak.

That would set up the following week’s nationally televised matchup at West Virginia that much better. It could begin to change the way Syracuse is viewed around the nation. It’s that simple.

The players have heard the numbers. None of them have beaten Pitt. The Panthers have won five straight against the Orange — ironically, the same streak USF owned until last weekend.

But the feeling is different this year. Which makes this weekend’s game different. Fueled by the 4-1 start and a big win at USF last week, the collective confidence of this year’s Syracuse squad is undoubtedly increasing.

“It’s a big game because it’s the next game,” Marrone said. “And then all of a sudden, now we are onto a bigger game because it’s the next game. You win a game, and then you move onto the next. That’s just how I feel. … I am happy that we came away with a win and won a Big East

road game and matched the win total for Big East games in a season since 2004. Now we are going, and our objective is to get a second win.”

To get that second win, the Orange will look to its offense, which is its best scoring offense (28.4 points per game) since 2003. It will look to its scoring defense (14.8 points per game), which is its best since 1999. For the Orange, there’s no reason to believe this won’t be the year to finally end that streak of futility against Pitt.

The Orange snapped a five-game losing streak to South Florida last weekend. For Syracuse to take the next step, it must do it again this weekend. This time against Pitt.

And the significance of doing that would transcend beyond just another win.

“We have to beat Pitt,” Suter said. “It’s time to get after them this year, and we’re ready to do it.” aljohn@syr.edu

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13

Around the Big East

News and notes Adam Froman wasn’t named Louisville’s starting quarterback until Aug. 23. The senior quarterback began the season with little to no acclaim, and expectations were limited, too.

He’s injury prone — Froman struggled to stay healthy last season. He makes too many mistakes — in six games in which Froman threw 15 or more passes, he had an interception in four.

Lucky for Froman, the critics aren’t the ones throwing the football.

Froman threw for four touchdowns Saturday in a 56-0 victory over Memphis, the second straight win for a Cardinals team predicted to finish last in the Big East.

He’s got seven touchdowns in his last two games, squashing the questions that surrounded the Louisville quarterback situation

entering the season.

“What has happened is we’re a balanced offense,” Louisville head coach Charlie Strong said in the Big East coaches’ teleconference Monday. “Our running game, we’re running the ball very well, so anytime you can run the ball well, it opens up the passing game. He’s been able to make some really good throws.”

Cincinnati got off to a worrisome start in 2010, but it wasn’t because of its quarterback. Zach Collaros will still make other teams worry, even if the Bearcats aren’t winning.

In fi ve games, Collaros has thrown 12 touchdown passes to just one interception.

That gives him 22 touchdown passes to three interceptions for his collegiate career.

The junior has completed over 60 per-

STANDINGS cent of his passes this season — 68 percent for his career. He leads the Big East in passing yards and quarterback efficiency and is tied for the lead in touchdown throws.

He steps it up in big moments, too.

In place of Pike last season, Collaros led Cincinnati to vital wins over Connecticut and West Virginia, throwing for 480 yards in the wild 47-45 win over the Huskies.

This year, he shook off some struggles from early in the game to throw two fourthquarter touchdown passes, coming up just short as UC (2-3) lost to No. 8 Oklahoma by two points.

And he is 4-0 as a starter in Big East games, which could be good news to a Cincinnati team looking to gain momentum.

Game previews CINCINNATI (2-3, 0-0 BIG EAST) AT LOUISVILLE (3-2, 0-0 BIG EAST), 8 P.M., ESPN

Cincinnati and Louisville both enter their Big East openers confident after offensive outbursts in victories last weekend. The Bearcats took a 45-3 lead into the half Saturday against Miami (Ohio), picking up their first victory in nearly a month. Louisville looked impressive on offense for the third consecutive game, blowing out Memphis 56-0. Cincinnati quarterback Zach Collaros and UL quarterback Adam Froman rank No. 1 and No. 2 in passing yards in the Big East, respectively. First-year Louisville head coach Charlie Strong could really make a statement about how far the Cardinals have progressed by defeating the defending Big East champion in his first conference game. Cincinnati defeated Louisville 41-10 last season.

ARMY (4-2) AT RUTGERS (3-2, 1-0), 2 P.M.

The Scarlet Knights take on Army Saturday in the first Football Bowl Subdivision game ever played in New Meadowlands Stadium. The Scarlet Knights hope to ride the momentum of their victory against Connecticut last Friday, as freshman quarterback Chas Dodd makes his second career start. Dodd threw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start against the Huskies, and it looks like he may have supplanted incumbent starter Tom Savage at the position. Army will provide a stiff test to the Scarlet Knights defense, however, as the Black Knights come in averaging 32 points per game. Army is coming off a 41-23 win over Tulane, a team that defeated Rutgers the week before. The Black Knights’ two losses, to Hawaii and Temple, have come by a combined 10 points. Rutgers defeated Army 27-10 last season in West Point, N.Y.

Leaders (after Week 6) PASSING

Zach Collaros

TEAM

CIN

COMP-ATT

91-144

PCT.

63.2

YARDS

1180

TD

12

LOU

83-139

59.7

1177

9

4

WVU

97-146

66.4

1139

12

2

Ryan Nassib

SYR

73-127

57.5

989

10

2

Tino Sunseri

PITT

90-139

64.7

961

5

3

ATT.

YARDS

AVG.

TD

CONN

122

761

6.2

8

66

Bilal Powell

LOU

91

689

7.6

7

80

Ray Graham

PITT

60

536

8.9

5

79

Delone Carter

SYR

99

524

5.3

5

36

Noel Devine

WVU

90

475

5.3

4

50

TEAM

REC.

Syracuse 4-1 (1-0)

Rutgers 3-2 (1-0)

Louisville 3-2 (0-0)

Cincinnati 2-3 (0-0)

Pittsburgh 2-3 (0-0)

Connecticut 3-3 (0-1)

South Florida 3-3 (0-2)

LONG

Jordan Todman

RECEIVING

5-1 (1-0)

INT

Geno Smith

TEAM

West Virginia

1

Adam Froman

RUSHING

—Compiled by Mark Cooper, asst. copy editor, mcooperj@syr.edu

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

D.J. Woods

CIN

29

489

YARDS

AVG/CATCH TD

16.9

4

LONG

Michael Smith

CONN

23

411

17.9

2

56

Van Chew

SYR

23

402

17.5

2

48

Tavon Austin

WVU

27

366

13.6

2

41

Armon Binns

CIN

24

350

14.6

4

60

69

courtesy of louisville sports information

sports@ da ilyor a nge.com

14 o c t o b e r 1 5 - 1 7, 2 0 1 0

Q & A with SU right tackle Michael Hay

By Brett LoGiurato

so many little, simple mistakes like that happened, and how do you plan to fix that?

Syracuse right tackle Michael Hay is one of the bookends to a relatively inexperienced SU offensive line that has gone through some ups and downs this season. The line struggled last week, giving up four sacks to the South Florida defense and committing several penalties that stalled Orange drives. The Daily Orange caught up with the 6-foot-4 junior Hay to talk about the line’s performance last week and the adjustments going into Saturday’s contest with Pittsburgh:

If there weren’t little mistakes, there would be nothing to get better on. There are just things that we have to get better on. Nobody plays a perfect game. There’s no such thing as a perfect game. Those are little things — you’re caught up in the moment. It’s a game of football. The crowd, everything. There’s everything involved.

They’re just mistakes. It’s better that they’re mistakes that can be fixed than mistakes that are long gone.

The Daily Orange: Last week, you faced a disruptive front seven at USF, and it got four sacks on Ryan Nassib. It’s a similar situation against Pittsburgh — three players on the Panthers have more than four sacks. How is the offensive line planning to stop Pittsburgh?

So how do you work to fix those mistakes?

Asst. Sports Editor

Hay: We’re going to approach it the same way.

We know both teams are both very physical teams, on defense especially. So we’re just going to go out there and be physical with them. We’re just going to try to play our game. We’re going to do the same thing — we’re going to practice the same way we do every week, the same thing — and see what happens on Saturday. We’ll be out there and ready to play.

Last week, the offensive line had a few penalties that killed SU drives. Why do you think

We’ll just concentrate on it a lot more during practice. The people who committed (the penalties), the people who had little mental errors, who had little problems, as a player you’re always going to keep that in the back of your head. And you know that when you step out on that field, that’s something you have to get better at.

Last week, the only drive the offense did not have a penalty was on the last 98-yard drive that won the game. What do you think that says about the need for more drives like that one?

If anything, it says to where we should be. It’s something we have to practice. Every time we go out on that field, we should play like that. And I know it’s not always going to be like that. There is always going to be little stuff — little stuff that we have to get over. False stars, hands to the face, legs are out, offside, whatever, anything like that. But we always have to get better. That (98-yard drive) was one case of us doing what we can. There were still mistakes on that drive, but it was a taste of something we can be doing — as good as that.

How do you try to keep having drives like that, where you have near perfection every single timeout?

That was just everybody on all cylinders clicking right there. The coaches, the players, the running backs, the offensive (line), the guards, the centers — everything. Quarterbacks. It’s something we have to practice. We have to watch the film, watch what we did right and what we did wrong. Again there were still some mistakes on that drive that we could have executed better. But we just have

matthew ziegler | staff photographer Michael hay (74) and the Syracuse offensive line face another tough test this week in Pittsburgh. The Panthers have three players with at least four sacks so far in 2010. to keep up the intensity and keep up the practice — keep up the practice like it has been the

past couple of games. bplogiur@syr.edu

DAILYORANGE.COM

SPORTS@ DA ILYOR A NGE.COM

o c t ober 15 -17, 2 01 0

15

Around the nation DENARD ROBINSON, QB, MICHIGAN

After looking to have run away with the race through his team’s first five games of the season, Robinson took a step back in Saturday’s loss to Michigan State. For the first time all season he was held to fewer than 100 yards rushing. He also threw three interceptions. Nonetheless, he still leads the nation in rushing with 991 yards and has also thrown for 1,223 yards. His 8.3 yards per carry is tied for fifth best in the country. If Robinson can remain healthy the rest of the season, he should be able to make a push back to the top of the Heisman-hopeful field.

TERRELLE PRYOR, QB, OHIO STATE

HEISMAN WATCH

Ohio State’s 6-0 start to the season wouldn’t have been possible without the drastic improvements made by Pryor over last season. So far in 2010, his completion percentage is up more than 11 percentage points to 68 percent.

As a result, he’s thrown for 1,349 yards and 15 touchdowns with only three interceptions. He’s also run for 354 yards and three scores. His 15 passing touchdowns are good for seventh best in the nation and are only three away from his career high. His quarterback rating of 170.5 is nearly 25 points higher than his previous career best.

KELLEN MOORE, QB, BOISE STATE

With much of the early-season attention devoted to dual-threat quarterbacks Denard Robinson and Terrelle Pryor, the typical drop-back passer Kellen Moore has quietly guided the Broncos to an undefeated start. His passer rating of 183.3 is best in the country. This is due in large part to his phenomenal 14-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He also ranks in the 17th in the nation in completion percentage (67.4) and fourth in yards per attempt (9.9).

In all he’s racked up 1,336 yards and 14 touchdowns.

courtesy of todd van emst | auburn media relations

LAMICHAEL JAMES, RB, OREGON

CAMERON NEWTON, QB, AUBURN

The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Newton has bowled his way over SEC competition so far this season to the tune of 672 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. He’s been no slouch through the air, either. He’s thrown for 1,138 yards and 12 touchdowns. In his last game, a 37-34 win over Kentucky, Newton gained 408 total yards and scored four touchdowns. His one downfall has been interceptions, and he’s thrown at least one in four of his team’s six games this season. If he can limit his mistakes down the stretch, Newton could emerge as the dark horse.

GAMES NO. 12 ARKANSAS (4-1, 1-1 SEC) VS. NO. 7 AUBURN (6-0, 3-0), 3:30 P.M., CBS

Despite being ranked twelfth in the country, the Razorbacks currently sit in fourth place in the SEC West. One of the four teams ahead of them is Auburn. If the Razorbacks want to make a push for the SEC championship game, they need to beat the Tigers on the road. Much like he did against Georgia, this is another chance for Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett to take over on the national stage. If he can lead his team to another quality road win, the Razorbacks should jump back into the Top 10 in the country.

Mallett’s 1,748 passing yards is third best in the country and he ranks seventh in quarterback rating.

X-Factor: Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn – The Tigers’ leader is without question the catalyst for his team’s offense, but at times he has failed to protect the football. Newton has thrown an interception in four of his last fi ve games. If he can establish the running game for Auburn, there will be less pressure on his arm. The most passes Newton has attempted in a game this season is 21, and Arkansas could steal this game on the road if it can force him to throw more often than he is used to.

of the

NO. 15 IOWA (4-1, 1-0 BIG TEN) VS. MICHIGAN (5-1, 1-1), 3:30 P.M., ABC/ESPN

After a disappointing home loss to Michigan State, this game is huge for the Wolverines if they want to stay in the Big Ten title race.

Quarterback Denard Robinson is coming off his worst game of the season in which he threw three interceptions and failed to rush for 100 yards for the first time in 2010.

This week’s game won’t be easy against the Hawkeyes, though. Iowa allows the fewest points in the nation at just more than 10 per game. The unit also gives up the fourth fewest yards per game. Iowa hasn’t allowed a single rushing touchdown in 2010, something that doesn’t bode well for Robinson and Co. X-Factor: Michigan’s receiving corps – Will Roy Roundtree and Junior Hemingway step up? If they can get open against the Iowa secondary, Robinson won’t be forced to win the game by himself. The less he has to scramble on plays that aren’t called runs, the better. Michigan doesn’t have a chance in this game if he isn’t healthy, so the wide receivers need to make a conscious effort to free themselves up and limit the number of hits that Robinson has to take.

James is perhaps the only running back in the nation with a chance to win this year’s Heisman Trophy. Although his team is 6-0, James has only played in five games so far this season. He’s still managed to rush for 848 yards, second in the nation behind Michigan’s Denard Robinson. Twice already this season James has gone over the 200-yard mark in game, including a staggering 257-yard, three-touchdown performance against Stanford. His nine rushing touchdowns are tied for fifth most in the country.

WEEK

NO. 1 OHIO STATE (6-0, 2-0 BIG NO. 24 OREGON STATE TEN) VS. NO. 18 WISCONSIN (3-2, 2-0 PAC-10) VS. (5-1, 1-1), 7 P.M., ESPN WASHINGTON (2-3, 1-1) This is the game that could determine whether or not the Buckeyes make it to the national championship. The Badgers are arguably the toughest team OSU will face this season, and Madison, Wis., isn’t an easy place to play. In order for Wisconsin to pull the upset, it’s going to have stop Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor. This season it’s been pick your poison when it comes to defending Pryor. Last week, Indiana held him to -19 rushing yards, but he threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns. Two weeks ago Illinois limited him to 76 yards passing, but he ran for 104 yards. Wisconsin needs to limit both his arm and his legs on Saturday in order to stun the Buckeyes.

X-Factor: John Clay and James White, RBs, Wisconsin – One of the best ways to prevent Pryor from wreaking havoc is to keep the ball out of his hands. In order for that to happen, Wisconsin needs to win the time of possession battle. Running backs John Clay and James White need to find holes against the OSU defense and be able to pick up first downs. If they are stopped for gains of two, three and four yards throughout the game, Ohio State will force punts and get their hands on the ball much more often.

The Beavers need to win this game in order to keep the Pac-10 race interesting. Oregon currently sits unbeaten atop the conference (6-0, 3-0 Pac-10). Oregon State is the only other team without a conference loss. If OSU can get by Washington Saturday, it has three easier games against California, UCLA and Washington State coming up. In that time, the Beavers can hope for an Oregon loss, which will make the season finale against the Ducks a game with BCS implications. A loss to the Huskies means that Oregon is a game clear of everyone else in the Pac-10, and the Ducks don’t face another ranked team until Nov. 26. Washington is looking to avoid back-to-back losses after coming off a disappointing home loss to unranked Arizona State last week.

X-Factor: Oregon State’s wide receivers – Someone in this group needs to step up and fill the void left by James Rodgers, who is out for the year with a knee injury. Rodgers led the team in receptions, receiving yards and was second in touchdowns prior to getting hurt. Luckily, the Beavers have five other wide receivers with at least 10 receptions and at least one touchdown this season. It’s just a matter of whether or not any of them can become the big-play guy that Rodgers was.

16 o c t o b e r 1 5 - 1 7, 2 0 1 0

SPORTS@ DA ILYOR A NGE.COM

PITTSBURGH ROSTER 2010 NO.

NAME

POS.

HT.

WT.

CLASS

1 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 8 9 9 10 10 11 12 14 15 16 16 17 17 18 19 20 20 21 21 22 23 23 24 24 25 26 26 27 27 28 29 29 30 31 32 35 36 36 37 37 38 39 40 41

Jeremiah Davis Ray Graham Saheed Imoru Aaron Smith Andrew Janocko Todd Thomas Cameron Saddler Kevin Weatherspoon Anthony Gonzalez Jason Douglas Pat Costello Aundre Wright Drake Greer Mark Myers Tino Sunseri Greg Cross Devin Street Dan Cafaro Kolby Gray Joseph Lopez Salath Williams Jarred Holley Pat Bostick Emanuel Rackard Brandon Ifill Buddy Jackson Jake Delmonico Antwuan Reed Kevin Adams Marco Pecora K’Waun Williams Garrett Tonio Jason Hendricks Ricky Gary Aaron Hassett Henry Hynoski Todd Gilcrist Dion Lewis Chris Burns Phil Peckich Dan Hutchins Dom DeCicco Tristan Roberts Brandon Lindsey Brett Zuck Manny Williams Joe Capp Derrick Burns Greg Williams Kevin Harper Dan Mason Andrew Taglianetti

DB RB DB WR QB WR WR WR QB RB DB DB P QB QB WR WR DB DB DB WR DB QB LB DB DB WR DB FB DB DB PK DB DB P FB DB RB RB DB P/PK DB LB DL WR LB FB DB LB PK LB DB

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

175 195 190 175 220 210 170 170 215 170 185 180 200 225 210 205 190 170 195 170 200 180 235 210 190 180 185 185 215 205 175 185 180 175 190 260 195 195 200 180 195 230 235 250 180 225 235 205 240 180 235 190

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

NO.

43 43 44 45 46 47 47 48 48 49 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 66 68 70 71 72 75 76 77 78 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 90 91 92 92 93 94 96 97 98

NAME

T.J. Peeler Mark Giubilato Nate Nix Tyler Tkach Shayne Hale Andrew Devlin Jon Taglianetti Carl Fleming Chris Mike Adam Lazenga Eric Williams Tyrone Ezell Bernardo Nunez Lucas Nix Joe Trebitz Chris Jacobson Max Gruder Arthur Doakes Aaron Donald Kevin Barthelemy Shane Gordon Keith Coleman Greg Gaskins Alex Karabin Fernando Diaz Brandon Sacco Shane Johnson Matt Rotheram Jordan Gibbs Juantez Hollins John Fieger Jack Lippert Ryan Turnley Ryan Schlieper Jason Pinkston Cory King Brendan Carozzoni Brock DeCicco Jon Baldwin Hubie Graham Ed Tinker Mike Cruz Dan Schneider Mike Shanahan Drew Carswell T.J. Clemmings Greg Romeus Matt Yoklic Justin Virbitsky Bryan Murphy Myles Caragein Justin Hargrove Jabaal Sheard Chas Alecxih

POS.

RB LB DL DL DL TE LB LB FB FB LB DL DL OL LB OL LB OL DL LS LB OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL TE TE WR TE WR TE TE WR WR DL DL P TE DL DL DL DL DL

HT.

6-1 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-4 6-6 6-1 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-6 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-6 6-0 6-3 6-1 6-5 6-4 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-5 6-6 6-7 6-5 6-6 6-4 6-6 6-5 6-4 6-6 6-4 6-5 6-5 6-4 6-2 6-5 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-6 6-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-5

WT.

210 225 240 275 250 265 215 220 240 210 215 285 240 305 220 290 230 325 270 255 230 305 285 290 280 255 295 300 305 290 285 275 305 300 305 315 220 240 230 230 200 255 240 220 210 280 270 210 265 245 290 270 260 280

CLASS

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

SPORTS@ DA ILYOR A NGE.COM

o c t ober 15 -17, 2 01 0

SYRACUSE ROSTER 2010

NO.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 16 17 18 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 28 29 30 31 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 40 41 42 43 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 62 65 66 67 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 78 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

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.

17

18 o c t o b e r 1 5 - 1 7, 2 0 1 0

sports@ da ilyor a nge.com

Around the nation Two-time Heisman finalist Colt McCoy will be honored by his alma mater on Oct. 30 when Texas retires his No. 12 jersey. It will be just the sixth jersey retired by the Longhorns program, joining the likes of Vince Young, Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams. In his four seasons at Texas, McCoy won more games (45) than any other player in the history of college football. He holds the school record for total touchdowns, touchdown passes and passing yards. McCoy, who was selected in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft, will make his first career start for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

For years, a bulldog named Uga has roamed the Georgia sidelines as one of the few remaining living mascots in college football.

But after Uga VII passed away last year, the Bulldogs began their season with an interim mascot, Russ. Finally, the search for Uga VIII has ended, and he will be introduced to the crowd on Saturday when Georgia hosts Vanderbilt. The transition will be complete during the pregame ceremony when the collar is passed from Russ to Uga VIII. Interestingly, Uga VIII is the grandson of Uga VI. Florida running back Chris Rainey has been given a second chance by head coach Urban Meyer. He was partially reinstated Tuesday just one month after his arrest on an aggravated stalking charge. Rainey won’t be on the field Saturday, however, when the Gators

take on Mississippi State. He could return to action on Oct. 30 against Georgia, Meyer said. Rainey, who also runs track at Florida, is one of the fastest players in the nation.

Over the past two seasons he has rushed for 1,227 yards and nine touchdowns.

Alabama is still uncertain whether or not it will have wide receiver Julio Jones on the field Saturday against Mississippi. Jones broke his hand last week against South Carolina and had surgery Sunday to insert a plate and screws. He caught passes in practice on Wednesday, but will need to be reevaluated before a decision about Saturday’s game can be made. Jones is the team’s leading receiver and finished the game against South Carolina with a season-high eight catches for 118 yards despite the broken hand.

Boston College freshman quarterback Chase Rettig is on pace to be healthy enough to start Saturday against No. 14 Florida State.

Rettig was named the starter on Oct. 2 prior to the team’s game against Notre Dame, but he sprained his ankle in the second quarter.

His action against the Fighting Irish was Rettig’s first of the season. He was 5-for-10 for 72 yards and a touchdown. BC finishes its regular season with a trip to the Carrier Dome on Nov. 27 to take on Syracuse.

-- Compiled by Asst. Copy Editor Michael Cohen

Gentleman’s club

news and notes

sports@ da ilyor a nge.com

o c t ober 15 -17, 2 01 0

Tale of the tape

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

Quarterbacks Ryan Nassib came through in the clutch against South Florida last

Defensive line The Panthers have too much balance here, with three separate defen-

Running backs The Orange continued to use Antwon Bailey more last week, and

Linebackers Derrell Smith, Doug Hogue and Marquis Spruill have been as good

weekend, leading SU the length of the field to victory. Pittsburgh quarterback Tino Sunseri has been unable to post decent stats (a fiveto-three touchdown-to-interception ratio) or wins.

Advantage: Syracuse

that’s a good thing. He was the perfect complement to Delone Carter.

Though Dion Lewis has been a disappointment for Pittsburgh, Ray Graham has been just as much of a pleasant surprise.

Advantage: Even

sive linemen — Jabaal Sheard, Chas Alecxih and Brandon Lindsey — having four sacks or more. Sheard has eight tackles for loss on the season.

Advantage: Pittsburgh

as anticipated for the Orange. Pittsburgh’s linebacking corps doesn’t have the same kind of presence.

Advantage: Syracuse

Wide receivers SU’s receiver cast is too depleted to win this matchup. The Panthers

Secondary Pittsburgh’s pass defense has given up just over 40 more yards

Tight ends Nick Provo is third on the Orange with 12 catches on the season.

Special teams Mike Holmes leads the Big East in punt return average by a wide mar-

have six players with nine catches or more. Jon Baldwin (24 catches) and Mike Shanahan (19 catches) are their two biggest threats.

Advantage: Pittsburgh

per game than has Syracuse’s, albeit against stronger competition.

SU’s unit is riding the waves, coming off a dominating performance against USF. Advantage: Even

He has established himself as an option for Nassib. Mike Cruz leads Pittsburgh tight ends with only four receptions.

Advantage: Syracuse

gin. Holmes averages 18.7 yards per return, a huge advantage in the field-position game.

Advantage: Syracuse

Offensive line This SU line is still inexperienced, judging by the amount of silly mis-

takes and penalties it committed against USF. The unit is in for another tough test with Pittsburgh’s defensive line. But Pittsburgh’s line is shaky, too, already having allowed 11 sacks to SU’s 12.

Advantage: Even

Coaching Dave Wannstedt’s pedigree has to win out here. He has a proven

track record of success, while Doug Marrone has a start with last week’s win.

Advantage: Pittsburgh — Compiled by Asst. Sports Editor Brett LoGiurato

19

matthew ziegler | staff photographer

THE SEVENTH ANNUAL

SYRFILMFEST'10 SYRACUSE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Ed Harris to host screening of his feature film Touching Home, followed by a special screening of screening of his award winning film Pollock.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2010 The Palace Theatre 2384 James St. Syracuse, NY 13206 Touching Home—4:15 pm Pollock—7:45 pm TICKETS: $15 each – includes film and talk back with filmmaker/director To purchase tickets, please visit the festival website at Syrfilmfest.com, or call the festival office at 315.443.8826.