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The Daily OrangeFB | Syracuse taking nothing for granted against Northeastern
By Jared Diamond
Posted: 9/18/08, 1:24 AM EST Section: Sports
Jake Flaherty saw Northeastern play plenty of times as a child growing up rooting for Rhode Island football. And after every game, he came away with the same impressions.
"I remember going to those games as a kid, and those guys seemed like really good football players to me," said Flaherty, a senior linebacker for Syracuse. "They still do."
That's the message the Orange (0-3) is trying to remember this week as it prepares for its match up in the Carrier Dome, Saturday (3:30 p.m., TW26), against the Huskies: Northeastern may be a Division I-AA program, but that doesn't mean Syracuse can afford to take the game lightly.
On paper, the Orange appears to have a great opportunity to notch its first win of the season. SU has not played a Colonial Athletic Association opponent since 2002 - a 63-15 win over Rhode Island in 2002. Northeastern (0-2) is a middling I-AA team coming off a three-win season.
But even though the Huskies lack the depth of Division I programs, Flaherty was quick to point out Northeastern has several key players in its starting lineup that could have I-A size and talent.
Most notably, Flaherty singled out tight end Brian Mandeville, who is listed at 6-foot-7, 253 pounds. In two games this season, Mandeville has caught eight passes for 113 yards, including 6-for-82 yards, last Saturday in Northeastern's, 34-27, overtime loss to No. 17 Georgia Southern.
Flaherty also mentioned quarterback Anthony Orio, who went 24-of-38 for 287 yards and a touchdown last week, as a legitimate threat.
Still, the Syracuse players realize it should have the advantage over Northeastern. A win is mandatory, they say. The real key is blowing Northeastern away, especially with the Big East schedule beginning next week.
"We're supposed to win," said cornerback Dorian Graham. "It means to me we should go out there and dominate and show everybody that the predictions are true. That we should go out there and put something on this team."
"I remember going to those games as a kid, and those guys seemed like really good football players to me," said Flaherty, a senior linebacker for Syracuse. "They still do."
That's the message the Orange (0-3) is trying to remember this week as it prepares for its match up in the Carrier Dome, Saturday (3:30 p.m., TW26), against the Huskies: Northeastern may be a Division I-AA program, but that doesn't mean Syracuse can afford to take the game lightly.
On paper, the Orange appears to have a great opportunity to notch its first win of the season. SU has not played a Colonial Athletic Association opponent since 2002 - a 63-15 win over Rhode Island in 2002. Northeastern (0-2) is a middling I-AA team coming off a three-win season.
But even though the Huskies lack the depth of Division I programs, Flaherty was quick to point out Northeastern has several key players in its starting lineup that could have I-A size and talent.
Most notably, Flaherty singled out tight end Brian Mandeville, who is listed at 6-foot-7, 253 pounds. In two games this season, Mandeville has caught eight passes for 113 yards, including 6-for-82 yards, last Saturday in Northeastern's, 34-27, overtime loss to No. 17 Georgia Southern.
Flaherty also mentioned quarterback Anthony Orio, who went 24-of-38 for 287 yards and a touchdown last week, as a legitimate threat.
Still, the Syracuse players realize it should have the advantage over Northeastern. A win is mandatory, they say. The real key is blowing Northeastern away, especially with the Big East schedule beginning next week.
"We're supposed to win," said cornerback Dorian Graham. "It means to me we should go out there and dominate and show everybody that the predictions are true. That we should go out there and put something on this team."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Marc LeVine
posted 9/18/08 @ 11:11 AM EST
A win here is simply not enough. We need to be on the positive end of a "demolition," after this one is over. Winning the game by less than 21 points versus a 1-AA team only means that we are only competitive at that level. (Continued…)
alumnus Olin
posted 9/18/08 @ 4:14 PM EST
How they play the game is very important -- despite a coach who cannot, a shameless Athletic Director who is no different than a con man, and, Chancellor who emulates politicians smiles at photo ops -- using spin & PR shock troops to keep the wobbly legs of her chair in balance. (Continued…)
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