CuseConfidential.com - SU gets revenge

October 25, 2009

Sean Herlihy
CuseConfidential.com Staff Writer

As the Syracuse Orange took the field Saturday against the Zips, they encountered two key problems. Just like last year, Syracuse took the field without its best player, Mike Williams. Second, these Zips had a unique swagger that is hard to find in a team that plays in the MAC. After defeating the Orange 42-28 last September, they actually knew they could win the game.

It was déjà vu all over again, right?

Wrong.

Syracuse (3-4, 0-2) overcame a slow start to defeat the Zips 28-14 Saturday in front of 36,991 in the Carrier Dome. Unlike previous victories this season, SU was led by a strong rushing attack and an impenetrable defense.

"I was excited about our defense," Marrone said. "We changed up a lot of things that we did pressure-wise. They really came and stepped up. There was an enthusiasm about them."

Marrone would not go into detail on why Williams was suspended, but he did say the receiver's ban was lifted immediately after the game. The announcement came only a few hours before kickoff. Williams missed the entire 2008 season after being academically ineligible.

"Decisions are made and the timing of those decisions are always made in the best interest of the program," Marrone said. "I believe in the privacy of the student athlete. I'm not allowed to comment on an academic matter for a student."

Delone Carter more than made up for Williams' absence by rushing for 170 yards on 30 carries and three touchdowns. The carries and rushing yards are both career highs for the senior running back. His career best 53-yard run in the fourth quarter helped seal the victory for the Orange.

Equally impressive was the defensive play of Derrell Smith. He led an increasingly strong linebacker corps with a career high nine solo tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, and a tackle for a loss. Almost every time Akron faced a manageable third down, Smith was there to reek havoc on Akron's freshman quarterback Patrick Nicely. Thanks to eight tackles for a loss, the Orange held the Zips to an unfathomable zero total rushing yards.

"The crazy thing is I told Coach Shafer that I wanted to get a negative rushing yard game and he said, 'we'll see, hopefully we do'," Smith said. "But zero, wow, that's good."

True to his word, Marrone started Greg Paulus despite being benched in the second half against West Virginia. Instead of the gunslinger that showed up for the first six games of the year, Paulus proved he can also be an effective game manager. He completed 12 of his 17 pass attempts for 105 yards, one touchdown, and most importantly, zero interceptions. Paulus did split some time with Ryan Nassib, but Marrone said the sophomore will only be used in certain play packages.

The game started ugly for both teams, as fumbles and bad snaps reminded fans of the debacle against South Florida. Mike Jones muffed a punt in the first quarter, and Akron recovered at its 48-yard line. Three plays later, the Zips returned the favor when Smith's tackle on DeVoe Torrence led to Anthony Perkins' fumble recovery.

Not to be outdone, Ryan Bartholomew's bad snap over Paulus' head on the ensuing drive allowed Akron to take over on the Orange 13 yard line. Nicely promptly threw his first career touchdown pass to Andre Jones for a 7-0 lead after one.

Paulus clearly missed his big play option in Williams, so it was on Carter to put the Orange offense on his back. His seven yard dash early in the second quarter tied the score and got the offense into a rhythm. Carter added another score before halftime to give Syracuse a seven point lead at the break. It was clear that hard-nosed running and smash-mouth football was the key to success for the Orange.

"I felt like I was relaxed out there and everything went well," Carter said. "It was a chance I was waiting for, to get the game on my shoulders and to show what I can do."

The Zips struck early to tie the game back up with a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Dashan Miller. But special teams and poor tackling in transition were the only major flaws for Syracuse Saturday. Paulus connected with fellow CBA alum Marcus Sales for an 11-yard touchdown slant. Then Carter sealed the game in the fourth with a four yard touchdown that followed the 53-yard breakout.

But the story of this win was the inspired defensive performance and Carter's breakout game. Crucial third down sacks by Smith, Doug Hogue, and Mikhail Marinovich kept the Akron offense off the field for most of the second half.

For Carter, this victory was not only payback from last year, but a chance to stop the teasing he received when he went home to Copley,OH for the summer.

"I felt as if we overlooked Akron (last year)," Carter said. "I heard a lot about the game going home last year and it was something that I wanted to make sure wasn't a question this year."

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