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The Daily OrangeFB | Swan song: Syracuse's Senior Day ends in disaster as Orange fall 39-14 to UConn
By Andy McCullough
Posted: 11/15/08, 10:19 PM EST Section: Sports
The defense, the unit Flaherty leads, was part of the reason for that. The Orange's struggles and Flaherty's struggles are linked. He has never been a standout for Syracuse. He will not win All-American honors this year - most of his accolades are for academics. Flaherty's back often bowed when pulling guards or fullback Anthony Sherman charged through holes to greet him. Blockers tangled him up and shoved him away from the action.
Flaherty whiffed on Jordan Todman on a second quarter run, and Todman scooted past for a 50-yard touchdown. He was nowhere to be found on Donald Brown's second quarter jaunt.
He finished with a team-high seven tackles. But it wasn't enough. It wasn't close. These will be his final mementos of playing at the Dome.
All the seniors were honored before the game. They ran out onto the field and greeted family members waiting for them. Flaherty hugged him mother Joellen and his father Todd. His parents attended every game this year. Todd Flaherty lettered here in 1969 as a linebacker.
His son will finish with four letters, improbable as it may be.
In 2004, Scout.com rated Flaherty the 119th best high school linebacker prospect in the country. He made his name as a quarterback at Rhode Island's South Kingston High.
But like many Orange players under Robinson's watch, Flaherty converted positions. He became a linebacker. He bulked up. Flaherty played in all 11 games as a freshman in 2005 and all 12 games in 2006. He has started every game since. He plays almost every defensive down, looking at the sidelines as assistant defensive coordinator Derrick Jackson flashes signals.
That is his role. The team named him one of four captains this season.
"They're my best friends," Flaherty said of his teammates. "I don't know. I'm going to miss them a lot. I'm going to miss going to war with them in the Dome, for sure."
After the game, Flaherty wore his Syracuse warm-ups and spoke with reporters. Beads of water rested in his blonde crew cut. He answered questions for a few minutes, then he was done. He rounded a corner and walked out the Carrier Dome, through the double air-lock doors of stadium control, for the last time as a player.
"It's a huge deal, but, you know, my father and I will continue to come to games here," Flaherty said. "It'll be different, because I'm not suiting up obviously, but we'll still come and embrace the program.
"Someday I might have a son that plays here, too."
ramccull@syr.edu
Flaherty whiffed on Jordan Todman on a second quarter run, and Todman scooted past for a 50-yard touchdown. He was nowhere to be found on Donald Brown's second quarter jaunt.
He finished with a team-high seven tackles. But it wasn't enough. It wasn't close. These will be his final mementos of playing at the Dome.
All the seniors were honored before the game. They ran out onto the field and greeted family members waiting for them. Flaherty hugged him mother Joellen and his father Todd. His parents attended every game this year. Todd Flaherty lettered here in 1969 as a linebacker.
His son will finish with four letters, improbable as it may be.
In 2004, Scout.com rated Flaherty the 119th best high school linebacker prospect in the country. He made his name as a quarterback at Rhode Island's South Kingston High.
But like many Orange players under Robinson's watch, Flaherty converted positions. He became a linebacker. He bulked up. Flaherty played in all 11 games as a freshman in 2005 and all 12 games in 2006. He has started every game since. He plays almost every defensive down, looking at the sidelines as assistant defensive coordinator Derrick Jackson flashes signals.
That is his role. The team named him one of four captains this season.
"They're my best friends," Flaherty said of his teammates. "I don't know. I'm going to miss them a lot. I'm going to miss going to war with them in the Dome, for sure."
After the game, Flaherty wore his Syracuse warm-ups and spoke with reporters. Beads of water rested in his blonde crew cut. He answered questions for a few minutes, then he was done. He rounded a corner and walked out the Carrier Dome, through the double air-lock doors of stadium control, for the last time as a player.
"It's a huge deal, but, you know, my father and I will continue to come to games here," Flaherty said. "It'll be different, because I'm not suiting up obviously, but we'll still come and embrace the program.
"Someday I might have a son that plays here, too."
ramccull@syr.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Olin MacGregor
posted 11/16/08 @ 12:02 AM EST
How many times has it been written. Nancy Cantor has been pushed out of the last 2 institutions she's been at .. We wish it would happen @ Syracuse. Her fundraising program built on the back of schools with momentum BEFORE she arrived -- is now at a full stop. (Continued…)
An Angry Alum
posted 11/16/08 @ 1:43 AM EST
Nancy Cantor and Daryl Gross have destroyed a long, proud, wonderful tradition at SU. My heart breaks for these seniors. I wish it had been different for them. (Continued…)
Roger Elliott, Alumnus
posted 11/16/08 @ 1:43 PM EST
I PROUDLY ADD MY NAME TO THE LIST OF ALUMNI WHO DO NOT LIKE NOR APPROVE OF CHANCELLOR NANCY CANTOR, NOR HER CHOSEN ATHLETIC DIRECTOR DARYL GROSS. MY THOUGHTS AND NAME ARE IN CAPS. (Continued…)
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