Spring Break
The Daily OrangeNO REPRIEVE: Depleted Syracuse dominated by No. 14 Pittsburgh
By Jared Diamond
Posted: 11/7/09, 3:44 PM EST Section: Sports
PITTSBURGH - Syracuse arrived at Heinz Field Saturday as a depleted team, reeling from star wide receiver Mike Williams' decision to quit the program. His absence, coupled with the subsequent suspensions of three other regular contributors, highlighted the most trying week of Doug Marrone's first year at the helm.
The Orange left Pittsburgh not only defeated, sufferers of an embarrassing 37-10 defeat to the No. 14 Panthers, but also broken - a shell of a football team standing on its last legs.
With the loss, SU (3-6, 0-4 Big East) needs to win each of its last three games to remain eligible for the postseason.
During the course of the contest, Syracuse lost two more starters to injuries, relied on a makeshift lineup on both sides of the ball and could not recover from its glaring lack of depth. SU traveled with just 55 scholarship players, putting it in an inescapable hole against one of the top opponents in the nation.
"We had some injuries occur," Marrone said. "…Those injuries forced us to come out of some of our packages, which limited us somewhat on offense and defense."
Without Williams, the offense could not move the ball downfield and demonstrated no semblance of a vertical passing game.
The quarterback duo of Greg Paulus and Ryan Nassib looked listless without its greatest playmaker, and no other receiver established himself as a legitimate threat.
Marcus Sales, the new No. 1 wideout, compiled a team-high four receptions and 36 yards. The offense took another key hit when tight end Cody Catalina injured his knee in the second quarter and did not return. Marrone said he did not know his status.
Once again, SU kept the score close for most of the first half, only to relinquish its momentum after a costly turnover. With Pitt leading by three points near the end of the second quarter, Paulus threw an interception to Greg Williams that was returned 51 yards for a backbreaking touchdown. The pass was deflected near the line of scrimmage and fluttered into Williams' hands for the easy pick.
The Orange left Pittsburgh not only defeated, sufferers of an embarrassing 37-10 defeat to the No. 14 Panthers, but also broken - a shell of a football team standing on its last legs.
With the loss, SU (3-6, 0-4 Big East) needs to win each of its last three games to remain eligible for the postseason.
During the course of the contest, Syracuse lost two more starters to injuries, relied on a makeshift lineup on both sides of the ball and could not recover from its glaring lack of depth. SU traveled with just 55 scholarship players, putting it in an inescapable hole against one of the top opponents in the nation.
"We had some injuries occur," Marrone said. "…Those injuries forced us to come out of some of our packages, which limited us somewhat on offense and defense."
Without Williams, the offense could not move the ball downfield and demonstrated no semblance of a vertical passing game.
The quarterback duo of Greg Paulus and Ryan Nassib looked listless without its greatest playmaker, and no other receiver established himself as a legitimate threat.
Marcus Sales, the new No. 1 wideout, compiled a team-high four receptions and 36 yards. The offense took another key hit when tight end Cody Catalina injured his knee in the second quarter and did not return. Marrone said he did not know his status.
Once again, SU kept the score close for most of the first half, only to relinquish its momentum after a costly turnover. With Pitt leading by three points near the end of the second quarter, Paulus threw an interception to Greg Williams that was returned 51 yards for a backbreaking touchdown. The pass was deflected near the line of scrimmage and fluttered into Williams' hands for the easy pick.
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