Spring Break
The Daily OrangeFB | Against WVU, tackling seen as priority No. 1
By Zach Schonbrun
Posted: 10/3/07, 11:05 PM EST Section: Sports
Lowering your shoulders, Ben Maljovec said, that's step No. 1 in tackling.
Then, it's all about bringing the hips through, keeping the feet moving and trying to get as much body surface on contact as possible.
When explained as such, it doesn't sound so tricky. Yet on the field, where Syracuse has struggled all season at bringing down ball carriers, it's been a haunting factor in most of the Orange's losses.
Saturday against West Virginia, one of the nation's most potent running attacks, the Orange will have its toughest test all year, as the Mountaineers' talent, depth and coordination may be unsurpassed by any team in the country. It's enough to make Maljovec, and the rest of the SU defense, want to relearn a few lessons from Football 101.
"They have a quarterback that can run, a running back that can run real well," Maljovec said. "Along with their receivers, they swing it out there a lot. They spread the field out real well and let their guys work in space. They have some guys that can do a lot of stuff in space."
WVU's spread offense plays perfectly to the strengths of its Heisman-candidate running back Steve Slaton and 2006 Big East Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Pat White - both of whom run recorded 40-yard dash times under 4.5 seconds. That speed allows both runners to get out into space where they can make moves and elude defenders. So far this season, WVU's averaging more than 40 points per game and leads the Big East in rushing by more than 100 yards per game. It has led the conference in rushing the last three seasons.
"You've got a team that runs the ball 50, 60 times a game," SU cornerback Nick Chestnut said. "They're gonna have plays, they're gonna gain some yardage. You want to make sure you minimize and don't give up that big play. That's the thing we're focused on."
Unlike other teams' rushing attacks, which are generated almost solely by the running back and offensive line, West Virginia's is truly a team effort. Maljovec said the Mountaineers' O-line, while smaller than most, is exceedingly mobile and excels at getting off the line. Fullback Owen Schmitt is acknowledged as a throwback blocker and one of the best in the game. Chestnut even talked about the wide receivers' role in freeing up space for the backs.
"I remember from last year they definitely try to get after you, blocking," Chestnut said of the receivers. "If you're a wide receiver and you go to West Virginia, you've got to expect that somewhat. They'll try to lock on you if you're inside; if you're outside, they'll try to cut you at times."
Even if West Virginia is without White, who injured his hip in Friday's loss to South Florida and is questionable for Saturday's game, WVU backup Jarrett Brown fits the mold of a dual-threat quarterback, something Syracuse has struggled at defending in previous games this season. Washington quarterback Jake Locker rushed for 83 yards and two touchdowns against the Orange on Aug. 31, and Illinois' Juice Williams ran for 90 yards and one score on Sept. 15.
Neither Locker nor Williams had a running back to hand the ball off to quite like Slaton, whose 1,744 yards and 7.0 yard-per-carry average in 2006 were good for second in the Big East. So far this season, Slaton is tied for the conference lead with nine touchdowns.
To prepare for matching up against WVU's No. 10, Maljovec said the scout teams at practice have been doing their best at replicating the speedy junior's moves. Nonetheless, it won't be like the real thing.
Meeting Slaton face-to-face in the hole has been an image Maljovec has been fantasizing about all week. If and when it happens on Saturday, at least he'll know the right steps to bring Slaton down.
"I'm just going to try to get as much body surface as I can on him," Maljovec said. "Just try to get my chest and fit him up as best I can. I know there's going to be guys flying to the ball to help me out and get him on the ground. I know as long as we're swarming at the ball, that's going to be key."
White out?
WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez isn't giving Syracuse any hints about whether West Virginia's star quarterback will be playing on Saturday.
Pat White, who left the Mountaineers' game against South Florida on Friday in the second quarter and never returned, will be a gametime decision against the Orange.
"If it's (at) noon on Saturday, I'll decide at noon on Saturday," Rodriguez said on Tuesday. "If I decide earlier than that, he won't know until noon on Saturday. And nobody else will, either."
White took a helmet to the thigh after a scramble up the middle near the end of the first half last week. He walked off the field under his own power but didn't return to action. West Virginia lost the game, 21-13.
Though it was reported White practiced on Tuesday, it doesn't mean he's a lock to play on Saturday. Sophomore quarterback Jarrett Brown would likely start in his stead.
"We're preparing for Pat White to play," Chestnut said. "Personally, I want him to play. I'm the type of person that wants the best on the field, that makes winning more enjoyable I think. So hopefully he does play."
Then, it's all about bringing the hips through, keeping the feet moving and trying to get as much body surface on contact as possible.
When explained as such, it doesn't sound so tricky. Yet on the field, where Syracuse has struggled all season at bringing down ball carriers, it's been a haunting factor in most of the Orange's losses.
Saturday against West Virginia, one of the nation's most potent running attacks, the Orange will have its toughest test all year, as the Mountaineers' talent, depth and coordination may be unsurpassed by any team in the country. It's enough to make Maljovec, and the rest of the SU defense, want to relearn a few lessons from Football 101.
"They have a quarterback that can run, a running back that can run real well," Maljovec said. "Along with their receivers, they swing it out there a lot. They spread the field out real well and let their guys work in space. They have some guys that can do a lot of stuff in space."
WVU's spread offense plays perfectly to the strengths of its Heisman-candidate running back Steve Slaton and 2006 Big East Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Pat White - both of whom run recorded 40-yard dash times under 4.5 seconds. That speed allows both runners to get out into space where they can make moves and elude defenders. So far this season, WVU's averaging more than 40 points per game and leads the Big East in rushing by more than 100 yards per game. It has led the conference in rushing the last three seasons.
"You've got a team that runs the ball 50, 60 times a game," SU cornerback Nick Chestnut said. "They're gonna have plays, they're gonna gain some yardage. You want to make sure you minimize and don't give up that big play. That's the thing we're focused on."
Unlike other teams' rushing attacks, which are generated almost solely by the running back and offensive line, West Virginia's is truly a team effort. Maljovec said the Mountaineers' O-line, while smaller than most, is exceedingly mobile and excels at getting off the line. Fullback Owen Schmitt is acknowledged as a throwback blocker and one of the best in the game. Chestnut even talked about the wide receivers' role in freeing up space for the backs.
"I remember from last year they definitely try to get after you, blocking," Chestnut said of the receivers. "If you're a wide receiver and you go to West Virginia, you've got to expect that somewhat. They'll try to lock on you if you're inside; if you're outside, they'll try to cut you at times."
Even if West Virginia is without White, who injured his hip in Friday's loss to South Florida and is questionable for Saturday's game, WVU backup Jarrett Brown fits the mold of a dual-threat quarterback, something Syracuse has struggled at defending in previous games this season. Washington quarterback Jake Locker rushed for 83 yards and two touchdowns against the Orange on Aug. 31, and Illinois' Juice Williams ran for 90 yards and one score on Sept. 15.
Neither Locker nor Williams had a running back to hand the ball off to quite like Slaton, whose 1,744 yards and 7.0 yard-per-carry average in 2006 were good for second in the Big East. So far this season, Slaton is tied for the conference lead with nine touchdowns.
To prepare for matching up against WVU's No. 10, Maljovec said the scout teams at practice have been doing their best at replicating the speedy junior's moves. Nonetheless, it won't be like the real thing.
Meeting Slaton face-to-face in the hole has been an image Maljovec has been fantasizing about all week. If and when it happens on Saturday, at least he'll know the right steps to bring Slaton down.
"I'm just going to try to get as much body surface as I can on him," Maljovec said. "Just try to get my chest and fit him up as best I can. I know there's going to be guys flying to the ball to help me out and get him on the ground. I know as long as we're swarming at the ball, that's going to be key."
White out?
WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez isn't giving Syracuse any hints about whether West Virginia's star quarterback will be playing on Saturday.
Pat White, who left the Mountaineers' game against South Florida on Friday in the second quarter and never returned, will be a gametime decision against the Orange.
"If it's (at) noon on Saturday, I'll decide at noon on Saturday," Rodriguez said on Tuesday. "If I decide earlier than that, he won't know until noon on Saturday. And nobody else will, either."
White took a helmet to the thigh after a scramble up the middle near the end of the first half last week. He walked off the field under his own power but didn't return to action. West Virginia lost the game, 21-13.
Though it was reported White practiced on Tuesday, it doesn't mean he's a lock to play on Saturday. Sophomore quarterback Jarrett Brown would likely start in his stead.
"We're preparing for Pat White to play," Chestnut said. "Personally, I want him to play. I'm the type of person that wants the best on the field, that makes winning more enjoyable I think. So hopefully he does play."
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