Spring Break
The Daily OrangeBack to business:
By Tyler Dunne
Posted: 11/4/09, 11:46 PM EST Section: Sports
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In a matter of days, students booed their starting quarterback every time he stepped on the field, the team's star wide receiver abruptly quit, three players were suspended, a key defensive end was forced to have his second season-ending knee injury and, for the cherry on top, cornerback JohnMark Henderson quit the team.
A lot for a team to handle in one year, let alone one week. In a faintly audible tone, linebacker Derrell Smith assured that life, in fact, goes on.
"We're just playing our game," Smith said. "It's unfortunate, but we have to move on. We still have four games to go."
How Syracuse deals with its laundry list of distractions - particularly the loss of its NFL-bound receiver - may determine its fate Saturday against No. 14 Pittsburgh (7-1, 4-0 Big East) at Heinz Field (noon, ESPNU). For the first time in eight weeks, the Orange (3-5, 0-3) will play on the road.
Always-smiling, always-glass half-full Art Jones helped cheer up the mood Wednesday. While joking that he was a "prima donna" at Tuesday's cold, outdoor practice, Jones found one silver lining. One of those suspended players, running back Antwon Bailey, has masqueraded as Pittsburgh's star freshman running back Dion Lewis to a "T" during practice.
Bailey may be suspended, but he has been serving a pretty important purpose this week.
"(Bailey) is the best scout team back I have ever had," SU defensive tackle Art Jones said. "He shook me a couple times yesterday. I was surprised. He's giving us a good look."
Lewis is the reason Syracuse has no time to wallow in self-pity. As a true freshman, he has mesmerized teams with his cutback ability and greasy elusiveness. Lewis' 1,029 rushing yards rank fourth in the country. His latest reel of ankle-breaking jukes came two weeks ago against South Florida's vaunted front four. On Oct. 24, the team's last game, he tore up the Bulls for 111 yards and two touchdowns to up his season total to 11.
After seeing this game on film, Smith admitted, "We'll have our hands full."
"(Lewis) has done a tremendous job coming in for LeSean McCoy," Smith said. "He's probably one of the best backs in the country."
Not too long ago, the Orange faced another game-breaking back in West Virginia's Noel Devine. The difference, Smith says, is Lewis' "shimmy." Whereas Devine prefers to race to the end zone north-south, Lewis makes people miss.
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