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SU football has toiled through three dismal seasons. Can this be the year it turns it around?
By Tyler Dunne
Posted: 8/25/08, 12:39 AM EST Section: Sports
Still, Dave Jacobs, who's been at the pulse of the program for three decades, couldn't be more excited for Aug. 30 when the Orange kicks off its season at Northwestern.
Jacobs is the longtime president of Shirt World on Marshall Street and was the kicker for Syracuse from 1975-78. He said sales haven't dropped the past few years and the student body is buzzing for this season.
His voice skips and stutters with excitement. To him, the Orange is on the verge of busting out.
"I have a great feeling, I just do," Jacobs said. "I think they're going to play every game like (former SU star) Floyd Little use to say. Every time he carried that ball, he said he carried it like it was his last carry... We have great talent and just have to put it together. I can't wait. I haven't been so fired up in a long time."
One reason for Jacobs' spiked enthusiasm is the new blood infused into the team this season.
If nothing else, the offense's philosophy will change, as Mitch Browning takes over as offensive coordinator. With Minnesota, Browning set a Big Ten record for total offense (6,430 yards) in 2003 behind a pounding rushing game and a complementary passing game.
This season also features Robinson's best recruiting class to date - highlighted by the two highest-rated players in New York in the 2008 class (per Scout.com), running back Averin Collier and wide receiver Marcus Sales. Running backs Carter and Curtis Brinkley return from season-ending injuries to join Doug Hogue in a full backfield.
New faces - although unproven and unknown - are still new. A replenished cast of characters from the bunch that wilted into college football futility last year should at least freshen up the program.
Particularly, Carter could spearhead Browning's ball-control offense that produced NFL starters Marion Barber and Laurence Maroney. Two years ago, Carter rushed for 713 yards on 156 carries as a freshman.
"The running back situation can be as strong as it's been at Syracuse in a number of years," head coach Greg Robinson said. "I think the depth and different types of talent that come out of that running back position can be a positive."
Jacobs is the longtime president of Shirt World on Marshall Street and was the kicker for Syracuse from 1975-78. He said sales haven't dropped the past few years and the student body is buzzing for this season.
His voice skips and stutters with excitement. To him, the Orange is on the verge of busting out.
"I have a great feeling, I just do," Jacobs said. "I think they're going to play every game like (former SU star) Floyd Little use to say. Every time he carried that ball, he said he carried it like it was his last carry... We have great talent and just have to put it together. I can't wait. I haven't been so fired up in a long time."
One reason for Jacobs' spiked enthusiasm is the new blood infused into the team this season.
If nothing else, the offense's philosophy will change, as Mitch Browning takes over as offensive coordinator. With Minnesota, Browning set a Big Ten record for total offense (6,430 yards) in 2003 behind a pounding rushing game and a complementary passing game.
This season also features Robinson's best recruiting class to date - highlighted by the two highest-rated players in New York in the 2008 class (per Scout.com), running back Averin Collier and wide receiver Marcus Sales. Running backs Carter and Curtis Brinkley return from season-ending injuries to join Doug Hogue in a full backfield.
New faces - although unproven and unknown - are still new. A replenished cast of characters from the bunch that wilted into college football futility last year should at least freshen up the program.
Particularly, Carter could spearhead Browning's ball-control offense that produced NFL starters Marion Barber and Laurence Maroney. Two years ago, Carter rushed for 713 yards on 156 carries as a freshman.
"The running back situation can be as strong as it's been at Syracuse in a number of years," head coach Greg Robinson said. "I think the depth and different types of talent that come out of that running back position can be a positive."
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