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The Daily OrangeBULLDOZED: Syracuse has no answer for Grothe in 45-13 loss at South Florida
By Jared Diamond
Posted: 10/18/08, 3:39 PM EST Section: Sports
But everything fell apart after halftime. The Orange did not earn another first down the rest of the way, gaining nine yards in the second half. USF exploded for another 24 points and controlled the ball for 23:20 in the second half, making Saturday the second consecutive contest Syracuse failed to score after the intermission. Syracuse has one touchdown in its last 10 quarters.
As SU's defense stayed on the field, Grothe and co. grew stronger. When it finally looked like the Orange would make a stop, USF made a play, finishing the game 5-of-9 on third-down conversions.
"There were a couple of third situations that, doggonnit, we needed to convert," Robinson said. "Last week we converted. I give Grothe credit. A couple of them were him, making throws and making a couple of runs that were tough on us."
As expected, Syracuse did not return to the 4-2-5 nickel hybrid package that held the powerful West Virginia offense to just 17 points last week, instead using its usual 4-3 base defense. Kevyn Scott, who is still listed as a safety, took a considerable number of snaps at left cornerback opposite Nico Scott, with Mike Holmes moving to safety. For the second straight game, senior Bruce Williams was not a primary contributor.
During the week, SU co-defensive coordinator Derrick Jackson said the alternative formation was so effective against the Mountaineers because it put Syracuse's fastest players against WVU's speedy, run-first attack. South Florida, conversely, runs a more balanced offense.
Indeed, the Bulls gained 248 yards with the pass and 239 with the run for a total of 487.
Any chance Syracuse had to steal a victory disappeared midway through the third quarter when quarterback Cameron Dantley fumbled and the Bulls' Craig Marshall picked the ball up and rumbled to the one-yard line. On the very next play, Grothe found A.J. Love for a touchdown.
Upset watch, over.
"I thought we were in it for a while," SU nose tackle Arthur Jones said. "We're all flying around, trying to take the positive. But they're a good football team, obviously the better football team and they came out on top."
jediamon@syr.edu
As SU's defense stayed on the field, Grothe and co. grew stronger. When it finally looked like the Orange would make a stop, USF made a play, finishing the game 5-of-9 on third-down conversions.
"There were a couple of third situations that, doggonnit, we needed to convert," Robinson said. "Last week we converted. I give Grothe credit. A couple of them were him, making throws and making a couple of runs that were tough on us."
As expected, Syracuse did not return to the 4-2-5 nickel hybrid package that held the powerful West Virginia offense to just 17 points last week, instead using its usual 4-3 base defense. Kevyn Scott, who is still listed as a safety, took a considerable number of snaps at left cornerback opposite Nico Scott, with Mike Holmes moving to safety. For the second straight game, senior Bruce Williams was not a primary contributor.
During the week, SU co-defensive coordinator Derrick Jackson said the alternative formation was so effective against the Mountaineers because it put Syracuse's fastest players against WVU's speedy, run-first attack. South Florida, conversely, runs a more balanced offense.
Indeed, the Bulls gained 248 yards with the pass and 239 with the run for a total of 487.
Any chance Syracuse had to steal a victory disappeared midway through the third quarter when quarterback Cameron Dantley fumbled and the Bulls' Craig Marshall picked the ball up and rumbled to the one-yard line. On the very next play, Grothe found A.J. Love for a touchdown.
Upset watch, over.
"I thought we were in it for a while," SU nose tackle Arthur Jones said. "We're all flying around, trying to take the positive. But they're a good football team, obviously the better football team and they came out on top."
jediamon@syr.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
wow
posted 10/18/08 @ 5:22 PM EST
We suck...
michael
posted 10/20/08 @ 12:07 AM EST
syracuse has an answer.. the answer is FIRE GREG IMMEDIATELY!! AND IMMEDIATELY START CONSIDERING FIRING THAT JOKE WHO HIRED HIM THAT CLAAAAAIMS TO BE A DOCTOR!
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