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
This season has supplied plenty of frustration for Delone Carter.
First, there was Syracuse's three-man running back rotation, which forced Carter to cede a bulk of the carries to Curtis Brinkley and Doug Hogue the first two weeks. Carter carried 19 times in those contests.
Then, there was Carter's pulled hamstring, suffered in the first quarter of Syracuse blowout loss to Penn State. This, three games into what was supposed to be Carter's redeem season, after a dislocated hip cost Carter all of last year.
"I already know from my hip injury that it's always something," Carter said. "…I've never had a hamstring injury before, so I don't know (what to expect)."
Two games and a bye week later, the seemingly sideline-bound sophomore will likely play Saturday, when Syracuse travels to West Virginia. Carter admitted he still isn't 100 percent, but said he's "been doing everything" in practice in hopes of picking up some of the momentum he built early this season.
"I believe he is," head coach Greg Robinson said when asked if Carter would be ready to play. "I'll see him at practice today. He practiced on Sunday, and I thought he did a good job."
Producing hasn't been a problem for Carter when he gets the ball. The Ohio native has averaged 6.6 yards per carry this season, including a 77-yard, second-half performance week two against Akron.
The problem, of course, has been getting Carter on the field.
The tailback's persistent health problems have played a role in that. So has Syracuse's stacked backfield. Brinkley especially has sparkled in his senior season. He's run for more than 100 yards in three of the last four games. "He has gotten a chance to get in a rhythm," Carter said. "I'd say this is the best I've seen him."
Carter's return presents a challenge for the Orange coaching staff, which once again has to appease three tailbacks (Robinson said Hogue, who hurt his ankle against Pittsburgh, is healthy). Carter expressed discontent after carrying six times against Northwestern. The next week vs. Akron, Carter didn't play until the second half.
First, there was Syracuse's three-man running back rotation, which forced Carter to cede a bulk of the carries to Curtis Brinkley and Doug Hogue the first two weeks. Carter carried 19 times in those contests.
Then, there was Carter's pulled hamstring, suffered in the first quarter of Syracuse blowout loss to Penn State. This, three games into what was supposed to be Carter's redeem season, after a dislocated hip cost Carter all of last year.
"I already know from my hip injury that it's always something," Carter said. "…I've never had a hamstring injury before, so I don't know (what to expect)."
Two games and a bye week later, the seemingly sideline-bound sophomore will likely play Saturday, when Syracuse travels to West Virginia. Carter admitted he still isn't 100 percent, but said he's "been doing everything" in practice in hopes of picking up some of the momentum he built early this season.
"I believe he is," head coach Greg Robinson said when asked if Carter would be ready to play. "I'll see him at practice today. He practiced on Sunday, and I thought he did a good job."
Producing hasn't been a problem for Carter when he gets the ball. The Ohio native has averaged 6.6 yards per carry this season, including a 77-yard, second-half performance week two against Akron.
The problem, of course, has been getting Carter on the field.
The tailback's persistent health problems have played a role in that. So has Syracuse's stacked backfield. Brinkley especially has sparkled in his senior season. He's run for more than 100 yards in three of the last four games. "He has gotten a chance to get in a rhythm," Carter said. "I'd say this is the best I've seen him."
Carter's return presents a challenge for the Orange coaching staff, which once again has to appease three tailbacks (Robinson said Hogue, who hurt his ankle against Pittsburgh, is healthy). Carter expressed discontent after carrying six times against Northwestern. The next week vs. Akron, Carter didn't play until the second half.
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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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