Spring Break
The Daily OrangeWilliams returns to safety
By Jared Diamond
Posted: 9/10/08, 11:41 PM EST Section: Sports
Browning would not say who would take more snaps this week in Williams' place, but does not expect the offense to look much different.
On the defense, Williams will have the opportunity to make a difference immediately. As a junior last season, Williams played in all 12 games, making 16 total tackles and an interception. The Orange's other option at free safety this week was Paul Chiara, a converted tailback.
"When he moved to the offense, he was doing it for the team, but his heart is in the defense," Merkerson said. "He's happy to come back because defense is his first love. He's happiest on the defense, and he will make his presence felt Saturday."
Tight ends
Mitch Browning didn't plan to include his tight ends in the offense more against Akron last Saturday. It just worked out that way.
Syracuse tight ends Mike Owen and Nick Provo combined to make six catches for 74 yards and three touchdowns against Zips. No Orange tight end caught a pass against Northwestern in SU's season opener.
"It forces teams to defend the field," Browning said. "It's something that has always been part of our package, and it'll be part of our package,"
Browning said the play calls were similar in both weeks, but Akron's defense allowed Owen and Provo to create space, and quarterback Cameron Dantley made the right throws. On Owen's first of two touchdown catches, Dantley checked down at the line of scrimmage after reading the Zips' defense to make Owen his first read. Owen was wide open for the score.
"If you have a threat at tight end, it opens up for the receivers and tailbacks," Owen said. "Now we can stretch the field, and now the safeties can't cheat on the receivers. It helps out a lot and balances a lot of things out."
Honorary Captains
In honor of the world premiere of the Ernie Davis biopic, "The Express," Friday, Syracuse announced actors Dennis Quaid and Rob Brown and former SU All-American Floyd Little will be honorary captains for Saturday's game.
Quaid plays former Orangemen head coach Ben Schwartzwalder in the film, and Brown plays Davis. Little holds the Syracuse record for touchdowns (46), having played for SU from 1964-66.
jediamon@syr.edu
On the defense, Williams will have the opportunity to make a difference immediately. As a junior last season, Williams played in all 12 games, making 16 total tackles and an interception. The Orange's other option at free safety this week was Paul Chiara, a converted tailback.
"When he moved to the offense, he was doing it for the team, but his heart is in the defense," Merkerson said. "He's happy to come back because defense is his first love. He's happiest on the defense, and he will make his presence felt Saturday."
Tight ends
Mitch Browning didn't plan to include his tight ends in the offense more against Akron last Saturday. It just worked out that way.
Syracuse tight ends Mike Owen and Nick Provo combined to make six catches for 74 yards and three touchdowns against Zips. No Orange tight end caught a pass against Northwestern in SU's season opener.
"It forces teams to defend the field," Browning said. "It's something that has always been part of our package, and it'll be part of our package,"
Browning said the play calls were similar in both weeks, but Akron's defense allowed Owen and Provo to create space, and quarterback Cameron Dantley made the right throws. On Owen's first of two touchdown catches, Dantley checked down at the line of scrimmage after reading the Zips' defense to make Owen his first read. Owen was wide open for the score.
"If you have a threat at tight end, it opens up for the receivers and tailbacks," Owen said. "Now we can stretch the field, and now the safeties can't cheat on the receivers. It helps out a lot and balances a lot of things out."
Honorary Captains
In honor of the world premiere of the Ernie Davis biopic, "The Express," Friday, Syracuse announced actors Dennis Quaid and Rob Brown and former SU All-American Floyd Little will be honorary captains for Saturday's game.
Quaid plays former Orangemen head coach Ben Schwartzwalder in the film, and Brown plays Davis. Little holds the Syracuse record for touchdowns (46), having played for SU from 1964-66.
jediamon@syr.edu
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