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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
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The ending fit. The end of Senior Day was gloomy, but it fit. Flaherty, a senior and the starting middle linebacker for Syracuse these past two seasons, has won nine times and lost 36 in his Syracuse career. The Dome holds mostly sour memories these days, even for someone who grew up wishing to wear these colors and play in front of these fans. Even for someone who wants to remain a part of this program after his playing days end in two weeks.
"I've been coming to games here since I was three years old, and I always dreamed about playing here," Flaherty said. "I think it's one of those things, I'd like to say teammates know I left everything out on the field today.
"Maybe it'll hit me even more, later on."
For now, the specter of Saturday's implosion is enough.
Donald Brown, the nation's leading rusher, gashed the Syracuse defense for 131 yards and a 49-yard touchdown. The Syracuse offense, meanwhile, tanked for the second game in a row: The Orange gained just 147 yards.
Syracuse kept it close early, but big plays torpedoed any second-half hopes. By the end of the third quarter, it was over. UConn's Jasper Howard returned a punt for a touchdown. Two plays later, Robert McClain intercepted an Andrew Robinson pass and streaked in for another score. Syracuse fans flooded the exit gates.
In other words, little news to report.
Syracuse head coach Greg Robinson's career record now dwells at 9-36, the same record as Flaherty's. The coach's future is pendulous at best. Syracuse Director of Athletics Daryl Gross was not available for comment after the game.
But Robinson insisted this trying season has not worn him down. "I don't know that I've ever been around a more special group of young people than this group," Robinson said. "I mean that. From the seniors all the way down."
Still, Saturday was business as usual for seniors like Flaherty and defensive back Bruce Williams: An ugly loss, with few people watching by the end.
Williams finished the game in street clothes, his leg swollen. "It sucked," said Williams, a team captain along with Flaherty. "Senior Night, all of us seniors wanted to go out with at least a win under all belt for the last game at the Dome. But it didn't happen."
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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