Syracuse Preview

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Team Info
Location: Syracuse, NY
Conference: Big East
Last Season: 10-3 (.769)
Conference Record: 6-1 (2nd)
Off. Starters Returning: 2
Def. Starters Returning: 6
Nickname: Orangemen
Colors: Orange and Blue
Home Field: Carrier Dome (49,550)
Head Coach: Paul Pasqualini (Penn State '72)
Record at School: 91-39-1 (11 years)
Career Record: 125-56-1 (16 years)
Assistants: George DeLeone (Connecticut '70)
Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
Chris Rippon (Southern Connecticut St. '82)
Defensive Coordinator
Jerry Azzinaro (American International '81)
Recruiting Coordinator/Defensive Line
Steve Bush (Southern Connecticut State ’82)
Quarterbacks
Steve Dunlap (West Virginia ’76)
Linebackers
Dennis Goldman (Southern Conn. St. ’71)
Wide Receivers
Tim Walton (Ohio State ’94)
Defensive Backs
David Walker (Syracuse ’93)
Running Backs
Chris White (Colby ’90)
Tight Ends/Special Teams Coordinator
Team Wins (last 5 yrs.): 9-8-7-6-10
Team Rank (last 5 yrs.): 29-27-51-37-13
2001 Finish: Beat Kansas State in Insight.com Bowl.

COACH AND PROGRAM

It would have been so easy for Syracuse to start questioning itself last season. After opening the season with hard-fought losses to No. 10 Georgia Tech and at No. 8 Tennessee, the Orangemen were locked in a tight game against Central Florida in their home opener when lightning struck.

Central Florida trailed, 7-3, late in the second quarter and brought in backup quarterback Ryan Miller to throw a "Hail Mary" pass on the final play of the half. Miller hit Doug Gabriel with a 56-yard touchdown pass, giving the Golden Knights a 10-7 lead that left the nearly 36,000 Carrier Dome faithful shaking their heads and wondering if anything was going to go right for their team in 2001.

The answer, a resounding yes, came in the second half. R.J. Anderson replaced Troy Nunes at quarterback and Syracuse responded with a 67-yard touchdown drive and held on for a 21-10 victory. The win triggered an eight-game winning streak and sparked the Orange to its 15th consecutive winning season, second place in the Big East, a victory over Kansas State in the Insight.com Bowl and a final ranking of No. 14 in the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today polls.

The season was especially sweet for Syracuse and head coach Paul Pasqualoni, because even some loyal followers of the program had begun to question the status of Syracuse football. Were the Orangemen still one of the better groups in the conference or were they becoming perennial members of the middle of the pack? Victories over Auburn, on the road against then-No. 4 Virginia Tech, against No. 25 Boston College in the home finale and a dominating bowl performance over a Big 12 opponent indicate they were the former, rather than the latter.

The way the Orangemen won was also impressive. Syracuse did not rank among the top 25 in the country in any major offensive or defensive category other than turnover margin, but still found ways to emerge victorious. One of the challenges this season is to carry over last year’s success and to produce similar results with different people.

QUARTERBACKS

Don’t bother wasting time studying Anderson’s statistics because there are only really two that matter: the aforementioned 11-2 and 1.38 -- his interception percentage. For the record, both of Anderson’s losses as a starter have come to Miami and the 1.38 is a Big East record for lowest interception percentage.

Anderson (6-1, 229) has all of the physical and mental skills necessary to operate Syracuse’s challenging offense, and is adept at making plays when things break down. With top rusher James Mungro (1,170 yards, 15 touchdowns) gone, he will need to shoulder more of the burden this season. He has shown more touch as a passer and should improve on last year when he completed 72-of-144 passes for 1,123 yards and five touchdowns. He is also a threat to run, having rushed for 245 yards and five scores in 2001.

The Orangemen also have a capable backup in Nunes, a senior with 17 career starts. He ranks fourth on Syracuse’s career touchdown pass list with 24 and showed his value when Anderson was slowed by the flu against East Carolina.

Nunes (6-1, 190) made an emergency start and threw for 296 yards and four touchdowns while earning Big East Co-Offensive Player of the Week. He finished 2001 with 58 completions in 105 attempts for 734 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions in games, that have won games and that are great kids.

This fall may also mark the debut of highly touted red-shirt freshman Cecil Howard. Howard (6-1, 195) was rated the No. 4 quarterback and No. 13 recruit in the nation by Tom Lemming coming out of McKeesport (Pa.).

RUNNING BACKS

Syracuse went 11 years without a 1,000-yard rusher, but finds itself needing to replace one for the second straight season. Mungro, who did not become the full-time starter at tailback until his senior season, left as the No. 3 rusher in Syracuse history, trailing only Joe Morris and Floyd Little.

Sophomore Walter Reyes (5-10, 200) is considered the top candidate to succeed Mungro, especially after Diamond Ferri (5-10, 206) decided in May to take a one-year leave from school.

Reyes carried 42 times for 139 yards and a touchdown last season and was the top ground-gainer in the spring game with 40 yards. Rated as the top running back in Ohio coming out of high school, he should have plenty of opportunities this fall.

Ferri finished fourth on the team with 155 yards rushing last season. He was considered a candidate to start and probably would have split time with Reyes had he stayed. Pasqualoni did not give specific reasons for Ferri’s decision, but indicated it was a combination of schoolwork, missed practices and commitment to the team.

Ferri plans to return home to Massachusetts to attend community college and work. The door is open for him to rejoin the program in 2003 and, because Ferri played as a freshman in 2000, this season will count as a red-shirt year and leave him with two seasons of eligibility.

Senior Barry Baker (6-0, 197), who switched back to offense last season after a year in the defensive backfield, could also figure into the mix at tailback.

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

Although the Orangemen don’t officially return any starters, there is no shortage of athleticism, talent and experience at the receiver spots.

Senior co-captain David Tyree (6-2, 198) has been a contributor on offense for three seasons and tied for second on the team with 18 catches last season. He has averaged 16.8 yards on his 40 career receptions and has caught three touchdown passes. He is also a demon on special teams with four blocked punts and 33 tackles in his career.

This could also be a breakout season for junior Johnnie Morant (6-5, 221), a Parade All-American in high school who showed signs last season. Morant led the team in receiving yards with 409 during the regular season and caught two passes for 93 yards and a 52-yard score against Kansas State in the postseason. Morant has the size and speed to be a dominant force, but needs to be consistent and put up numbers every game in order to become the player many think he can be.

Junior Jamel Riddle (5-7, 173) became a solid contributor with 14 catches for 323 yards and a touchdown last season. He had 128 receiving yards, including a 61-yard touchdown, in the spring game. Sophomore Andre Fontenette (6-2, 222) had a strong spring and may catch some by surprise with his ability. Sophomore Jared Jones (6-0, 193) and red-shirt freshman Xzavier Gaines (6-3, 189), both converted quarterbacks, are also looking to break into the receiving rotation.

Graham Manley was a steady receiver and solid blocker in his two seasons as the starting tight end and it will probably take more than one player to fill all of the roles he held. Senior David Hohensee (6-3, 265) and junior Lenny Cusumano (6-2, 254) are the top blockers Syracuse has at the position and junior Joe Donnelly (6-3, 240) is the top receiver.

Donnelly, who has more speed than any SU tight end in recent memory, had a huge spring game with three catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns on plays covering 35 and 80 yards. Sophomore Greg Hanoian (6-1, 232) could also be in the mix.

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OFFENSIVE LINE

The Orangemen will be young, they will be inexperienced and they will need to be good. Tackles P.J. Alexander and Giovanni DeLoatch and guards Sean O’Connor and Joe Burton are gone and their replacements may be the ones who play the biggest part in determining whether Syracuse extends its streak of winning seasons to 16.

"We think they are going to be athletic and smart," Pasqualoni said of his new linemen. "They should know what to do. The issue is how quickly can they become an experienced group and find a harmony working together."

One certainty is junior center Nick Romeo (6-2, 297). Romeo has started 24 straight games since cracking the lineup as a red-shirt freshman and his experience will be crucial. A member of the Big East All-Academic team, Romeo plays with smarts and savvy and will need to be the glue that holds everything together up front.

Sophomore Adam Terry (6-8, 287) and junior Kevin Sampson (6-5, 296) are the leading contenders to start at tackle. Terry, who is gentle by nature, spent the spring receiving a crash course in nastiness from line coach George DeLeone. He has the tools to be successful, but has played in only four college games and will need some time before he’s comfortable protecting Anderson’s blind side. Sampson has some experience to draw upon. He alternated series with DeLoatch at right tackle last season and started one game as a red-shirt freshman.

Senior Erik Kaloyanides (6-4, 317) backed up Burton at left guard last season and is expected to move into the starting spot in 2002. He has seen spot duty throughout his career, but is a smart player who should be ready for an expanded role. Sophomore Matt Tarullo (6-6, 303) has played in all of five games but combines a bit of nastiness with intelligence at right guard. Red-shirt freshman Tim Carignan (6-4, 298) backs up Kaloyanides and Charles Simpson (6-2, 308) is listed behind Tarullo on the depth chart.

KICKERS

After a year and a half of struggles, the Orange finally seemed to find their place kicker midway through last season when sophomore Collin Barber replaced Justin Sujansky, who took over for senior Mike Shafer in the second game.

Barber (6-2, 197) made the first 26 kicks he took (five field goals, 21 extra points) before finally missing one of each against Boston College. He finished the season with 36 points and enters this season looking to solidify his role as the starter for the next three seasons.

Sujansky (5-9, 176), a sophomore, has an impressive list of credentials, but was too inconsistent to keep the job as a freshman. He made 11- of-13 PATs and 4-of-9 field goals before giving way to Barber after missing two field goals and an extra point against Rutgers.

Shafer (5-9, 180) will most likely continue to handle the kickoff chores.

DEFENSIVE LINE

You can’t mention Freeney without pointing out his NCAA record 17.5 sacks last season, but everybody’s first-team All-American did much more than rush the passer. His combined total of forced (eight) and recovered (three) fumbles also set an NCAA record and the mere presence of the Big East’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year made every defender wearing an orange helmet better.

"The biggest challenge on the whole team will be replacing Freeney," Pasqualoni told The Syracuse Post-Standard shortly after the season ended. "Don’t minimize what he did for us. He absolutely changed the way opposing coaches prepared for us. They tried to do so many things to defense him, they almost over-coached. The time they spent preparing for Dwight Freeney allowed us to do other things with them with our defense."

Sophomore Julian Pollard (6-5, 249), who could start at right end, is no stranger to following Freeney. Like Freeney, Pollard played at Bloomfield (Conn.) High School before coming to Syracuse. Pollard, one of only two freshmen to play last season, has a world of talent but limited college experience. He played in just five games, making one tackle, and expecting too much too soon would be a mistake. He may be a standout player one day but will need time to adjust and find his role this season.

Junior Josh Thomas (6-7, 270), who started all 13 games at left end last season, will likely pick up more of the slack. Thomas had only two sacks last season, but made 46 tackles and was credited with 15 quarterback hurries. If he can turn some of those hurries into sacks, it could be a breakout season.

Red-shirt freshmen Ryan LaCasse (6-3, 233), James Wyche (6-5, 228) and Tommy Harris (6-2, 228), though all a slight bit undersized, bring talent, speed and youthful enthusiasm to the end spots.

Junior Christian Ferrara (6-4, 297) emerged as a dependable performer at left tackle last season, starting all 13 games. Ferrara finished with 34 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He played a big role in the upset of Virginia Tech with four tackles, including three for losses, and two sacks.

Junior Louis Gachelin (6-2, 284) played a regular turn in the rotation last season and is primed to start at right tackle. Gachelin contributed 27 tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries in 2001. Sophomore Brian Hooper (6-2, 279), who played in four games last season, and red-shirt freshman Billy Wilson (6-3, 264) will add depth.

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LINEBACKERS

Clifton Smith’s presence in the middle pretty much guarantees that this will again be a position of strength for the Orange. Smith (6-3, 263) has been a fixture since making his first start four games into his freshman season and appears primed to finish his career with his best season yet.

A first-team All-Big East selection the last two seasons, Smith has natural linebacker instincts and seems to be involved in almost every play.

Smith, who began his career as a freshman All-American, missed spring ball after having surgery to reattach a torn pectoral muscle, but should be back at full strength for the start of camp in August. If he is, you will probably hear his name as a contender for the Butkus, Lombardi, Nagurski and Bednarik Awards later in the season.

Junior Jameel Dumas (6-3, 210) has the speed to make plays from sideline to sideline and could be an emerging star at outside linebacker after tying for third on the team with 67 tackles as a part-time starter last season

Junior Rich Scanlon (6-2, 236) earned five starts last season and is solid against both the run and the pass. He made 60 tackles in 2001 and is the projected starter on the weak side.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Syracuse knew it needed to replace leading tackler Quentin Harris, a four-year starter at free safety, but the position took another severe hit in the spring. Senior Maurice McClain (6-1, 177), the leading candidate to replace Harris, suffered a probable career-ending injury when he broke two bones in his leg during the second spring scrimmage.

"It shakes things up," Pasqualoni said of McClain’s injury. "Replacing Q Harris is almost as big of a deal as replacing Dwight Freeney because he was the quarterback of our defense."

The loss of McClain elevates sophomore O’Neil Scott (6-1, 187) into the starting lineup. Scott, whose previous claim to fame was breaking up a pass on a fake field goal attempt by West Virginia, comes from the same high school (Woodrow Wilson in Trenton, N.J.) that produced former SU All-American Donovin Darius. Scott isn’t short of confidence.

"He did a very, very good job in the spring," Pasqualoni said. "He studied very hard and he has a chance to be a good tackler, which is good because he has some range and can cover a lot of ground on the field."

He will have Keeon Walker , another Jersey guy, by his side to help. Walker (6-0, 195) enters his third season and has been Syracuse’s third-leading tackler each of the last two seasons. Sophomores Troy Swittenburg (5-10, 189) and Cedric Edmonds (5-10, 192) back up Walker.

Senior Latroy Oliver (5-9, 188) and graduate student Will Hunter (5-11, 182) will start at the corners.

PUNTERS

Shafer has developed into one of the top punters in the conference, if not the country. He set school records with 77 punts for 3,282 yards (42.6 average). He ranks fourth in Syracuse history with a 40.9 career average and needs to punt 56 times this season to become the school’s all-time leader in that category.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Syracuse returns several players who contributed to its strong special teams play last season.

The Orangemen put fear back into opponents by blocking five kicks, including four punts. Tyree is an exceptional punt blocker who needs special attention and can open opportunities for others.

Riddle averaged 13.1 yards per punt return and set the tone for the Virginia Tech upset with a 51-yard touchdown after the Hokies’ opening possession. Gregory, Morant, Jones and Ferri may also bring back punts.

Kickoff returns are something the Orange would like to improve upon. Oliver is the most experienced at the position now that Mungro and Maurice Jackson have departed. Gregory, Morant, Ferri and Reyes could also contribute.

RECRUITING CLASS

Pasqualoni brought in 23 players, impressive considering 10 players backed out of commitments.

A 24th, Omain Gullette, 19, was murdered on a Philadelphia street corner at the end of June. The defensive tackle, a first team all-state defensive lineman, was shot 13 times in the chest.

The best of Syracuse's recruits is running back Damien Rhodes (6-1, 195) from nearby Manlius, N.Y. Rhodes, the lone tailback in the class, rushed for 2,102 yards and 33 touchdowns as a senior. The Central New York Player of the Year also returned three kickoffs and two interceptions for scores.

The Orange also landed the only quarterback they pursued, Perry Patterson (6-3, 225) of Lancaster, Pa., and several quality offensive linemen who can help address the lack of depth immediately. Safety Luke Cain (6-0, 190) is a SuperPrep All-American from Washington, D.C., and Darryl Kennedy (6-1, 204), who played quarterback at Nassau Community College last season, is an intriguing prospect at several positions.

The class isn’t as highly touted as others in the conference, but the Orange brought in several players who could help right away.

BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS

Nothing comes easy in college football, which helps explain why Pasqualoni was back at his desk preparing for the 2002 season less than 48 hours after Syracuse capped one of its best seasons with a victory over Kansas State in the Insight.com Bowl.

Syracuse has enough talent to carry on its winning tradition, but probably won’t have the luxury of blowing many teams out. The Orange will need to maintain their composure and play disciplined football in order to win close games. Syracuse could finish somewhere between 6-6 and 8-4 depending on their luck in avoiding injuries.