Spring Break
The Daily OrangeFB | Carter likely to play after missing 2 games with hamstring pull
By John Clayton
Posted: 10/8/08, 12:23 AM EST Section: Sports
Robinson wouldn't reveal Tuesday whether Syracuse would return to its three-back system. "I don't know," Robinson said. "I don't know that."
Regardless, establishing the run will be vital against West Virginia's spread offense, led by quarterback Pat White. Syracuse will need to run the ball and control the clock in order to keep the Mountaineers on the sidelines. The Orange wasn't able to do that against Pittsburgh, when it was dominated in time of possession by a nearly two-to-one margin.
"Curtis and Doug have done a great job, but we know Delone is that different kind of back," said junior quarterback Cameron Dantley.
It remains a mystery just how well Carter's ailing hamstrings will respond. Hamstring injuries in particular can linger and nag. Carter would prefer not to contemplate that scenario.
"I don't want to think that it's going to be that way, because if I think that, that's probably how's it's going to be," Carter said. "So I just try to stay positive."
Positive for Syracuse would be seeing Carter carve out a consistent presence in the Orange backfield the rest of the season. In the short run? A touchdown or two Saturday wouldn't hurt. The sophomore hasn't found the endzone since he did it four times in a double-overtime victory over Wyoming Sept. 30, 2006.
Said Carter: "I don't expect to go home from West Virginia without one."
Williams speaks out
Saturday will be senior safety Bruce Williams' fourth and final shot at West Virginia. Considering the Mountaineers scuffles this year, it also might be SU's best chance for an upset. Williams certainly was talking like it.
"Yeah, clearly they're beatable," Williams said. "They're not even ranked in the Top 25."
Indeed, West Virginia's vaunted spread offense has looked more pedestrian this year. The Mountaineers have averaged 23.2 points per game (they scored three in a loss to East Carolina). Still, early betting lines have Syracuse rated around a 24-point underdog, something Williams said he paid no attention to.
"Colorado beat West Virginia, and they were supposed to lose by a couple touchdowns," Williams said. "So I don't pay attention to that and we believe we're going to go out there and win."
Shadle goes home
Saturday will be a homecoming for SU senior kicker Pat Shadle, a Morgantown, W.Va., native.
The Mountaineer faithful are known as some of the most fanatical fans in college football, and are quick to hassle opposing players. Shadle hasn't been immune to the abuse in the past.
"All the comments were about being big and being heavy, and I don't fit into that category anymore," quipped Shadle, who lost around 35 pounds in the offseason. "So I'm looking forward to going down there and avoiding that."
jsclayto@syr.edu
Regardless, establishing the run will be vital against West Virginia's spread offense, led by quarterback Pat White. Syracuse will need to run the ball and control the clock in order to keep the Mountaineers on the sidelines. The Orange wasn't able to do that against Pittsburgh, when it was dominated in time of possession by a nearly two-to-one margin.
"Curtis and Doug have done a great job, but we know Delone is that different kind of back," said junior quarterback Cameron Dantley.
It remains a mystery just how well Carter's ailing hamstrings will respond. Hamstring injuries in particular can linger and nag. Carter would prefer not to contemplate that scenario.
"I don't want to think that it's going to be that way, because if I think that, that's probably how's it's going to be," Carter said. "So I just try to stay positive."
Positive for Syracuse would be seeing Carter carve out a consistent presence in the Orange backfield the rest of the season. In the short run? A touchdown or two Saturday wouldn't hurt. The sophomore hasn't found the endzone since he did it four times in a double-overtime victory over Wyoming Sept. 30, 2006.
Said Carter: "I don't expect to go home from West Virginia without one."
Williams speaks out
Saturday will be senior safety Bruce Williams' fourth and final shot at West Virginia. Considering the Mountaineers scuffles this year, it also might be SU's best chance for an upset. Williams certainly was talking like it.
"Yeah, clearly they're beatable," Williams said. "They're not even ranked in the Top 25."
Indeed, West Virginia's vaunted spread offense has looked more pedestrian this year. The Mountaineers have averaged 23.2 points per game (they scored three in a loss to East Carolina). Still, early betting lines have Syracuse rated around a 24-point underdog, something Williams said he paid no attention to.
"Colorado beat West Virginia, and they were supposed to lose by a couple touchdowns," Williams said. "So I don't pay attention to that and we believe we're going to go out there and win."
Shadle goes home
Saturday will be a homecoming for SU senior kicker Pat Shadle, a Morgantown, W.Va., native.
The Mountaineer faithful are known as some of the most fanatical fans in college football, and are quick to hassle opposing players. Shadle hasn't been immune to the abuse in the past.
"All the comments were about being big and being heavy, and I don't fit into that category anymore," quipped Shadle, who lost around 35 pounds in the offseason. "So I'm looking forward to going down there and avoiding that."
jsclayto@syr.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Matt
posted 10/08/08 @ 9:43 PM EST
Who cares. SU football is fast on its way to becomming an intramural sport thanks to the stupidity of the administration and the athletic department. Maybe they will wake up when they realize they can't recruit anyone, attendance at home games drops more than it already has, alumni contributions dry up to nothing and we have everyone clamoring to play us every year because it will be an easy win for them. (Continued…)
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