Spring Break
The Daily OrangeFB | Humiliation: Washington runs by SU in season-opening rout
By Matt Levin
Posted: 9/4/07, 12:24 AM EST Section: Sports
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Syracuse linebacker Ben Maljovec had Rankin wrapped up in the backfield. Rankin cut back. The Syracuse defense was broken.
Rankin turned a significant loss into a 17-yard gain. What could've been a second down and long for the Huskies instead signified a breakthrough for UW's offense. From that point on, Washington never stopped finding holes in an Orange defense that looked blown away by the Huskies' speed.
Washington's two-headed monster of Rankin and quarterback Jake Locker combined for 230 of the Huskies' 302 total rushing yards. The SU offense showcased little firepower of its own, scampering to eight total yards on the ground all night. By the end, the team appeared exhausted and overwhelmed in a 42-12 defeat in the Carrier Dome on Friday-the worst home season-opening loss since 1977.
A crowd of 40,329 fans roared when Syracuse trotted onto the field in all orange uniforms. It signified a fresh beginning and a new hope for a team that has reached one bowl game since 2001 and has gone 5-19 under third-year head coach Greg Robinson.
By taking on a struggling program from across the country on national television, this started as a game Syracuse needed to take advantage of to regain the spotlight it once had. It ended as an embarrassment.
"Right now, it's tough because you've been working so long for this moment," SU safety Joe Fields said. "National TV and this happens. We definitely didn't see this coming."
Syracuse head coach Greg Robinson pegged Maljovec's missed tackle as a momentum changer. The Huskies went three-and-out in its first two possessions. A tackle in the backfield meant second-and-long for Washington. Rankin's juke put his team in Orange territory for the first time.
After the long dash, Rankin combined with Locker for three more runs of 10-plus yards on the drive, including Rankin's 13-yard touchdown run.
The next UW drive appeared more disastrous for the Orange. Locker alone racked up 56 yards on the ground, finishing the possession by punching into the endzone with a 1-yard sneak to give Washington a 14-3 second-quarter lead. Syracuse answered back with a field goal before the half.
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