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The Daily OrangeNO REPRIEVE: Syracuse contiunes to suffer QB woes, falls to Pittsburgh in embarrassing fashion
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.
During the course of the game, Syracuse lost two more starters to injury, used a makeshift lineup on both sides of the ball and did nothing to solve the increasingly glaring problem at the quarterback position.
Once again, SU kept the score close for most of the first half, only to lose its momentum after a costly turnover. With Pitt leading by three points near the end of the second quarter, Greg 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 play sucked the life from the Orange, and it never recovered. Saturday marked the fourth time in five games a crucial Paulus interception served as the turning point.
From there, Pittsburgh dominated, taking advantage of a beleaguered SU defense. The Orange used true freshmen Phillip Thomas and Shamarko Thomas in its secondary for most of the third quarter, and the Panthers tallied two touchdowns to put the score out of reach. Max Suter did not play the entire second half with an arm injury, while Mike Holmes returned for the fourth quarter.
Standout freshman Dion Lewis compiled 110 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. Dorin Dickerson led the receivers with 118 yards on seven catches and a score of his own.
Meanwhile, the SU offense looked listless without Williams, its greatest playmaker. Syracuse could not move the ball, utilizing its two-quarterback system of Paulus and backup Ryan Nassib. The duo combined to complete 17-of-33 passes for 141 yards and three interceptions. Paulus finished 12-of-18 for 120 yards and two picks. Nassib went 5-of-14 for 21yards.
Marcus Sales, the new No. 1 wideout, made three catches for 27 yards. Tight end Cody Catalina, who had one catch for 17 yards, injured his knee in the second quarter and did not return.
The remaining question is how the Orange responds moving forward, as it continues to feel the effect of Williams' departure and a growing list of injuries. SU's playcalling appeared limited Saturday, unable to take any shots downfield.
Running back Delone Carter finished with 143 yards on 17 carries, but his performance could not cover up the weaknesses pervading the rest of the offense.
One thing is certain: Saturday's game was a brutal loss - Syracuse's worst since losing by 32 to South Florida last year. The Orange heads to Louisville next week needing to win out to remain eligible for a bowl game and desperately looking for answers.
jediamon@syr.edu
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.
During the course of the game, Syracuse lost two more starters to injury, used a makeshift lineup on both sides of the ball and did nothing to solve the increasingly glaring problem at the quarterback position.
Once again, SU kept the score close for most of the first half, only to lose its momentum after a costly turnover. With Pitt leading by three points near the end of the second quarter, Greg 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 play sucked the life from the Orange, and it never recovered. Saturday marked the fourth time in five games a crucial Paulus interception served as the turning point.
From there, Pittsburgh dominated, taking advantage of a beleaguered SU defense. The Orange used true freshmen Phillip Thomas and Shamarko Thomas in its secondary for most of the third quarter, and the Panthers tallied two touchdowns to put the score out of reach. Max Suter did not play the entire second half with an arm injury, while Mike Holmes returned for the fourth quarter.
Standout freshman Dion Lewis compiled 110 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. Dorin Dickerson led the receivers with 118 yards on seven catches and a score of his own.
Meanwhile, the SU offense looked listless without Williams, its greatest playmaker. Syracuse could not move the ball, utilizing its two-quarterback system of Paulus and backup Ryan Nassib. The duo combined to complete 17-of-33 passes for 141 yards and three interceptions. Paulus finished 12-of-18 for 120 yards and two picks. Nassib went 5-of-14 for 21yards.
Marcus Sales, the new No. 1 wideout, made three catches for 27 yards. Tight end Cody Catalina, who had one catch for 17 yards, injured his knee in the second quarter and did not return.
The remaining question is how the Orange responds moving forward, as it continues to feel the effect of Williams' departure and a growing list of injuries. SU's playcalling appeared limited Saturday, unable to take any shots downfield.
Running back Delone Carter finished with 143 yards on 17 carries, but his performance could not cover up the weaknesses pervading the rest of the offense.
One thing is certain: Saturday's game was a brutal loss - Syracuse's worst since losing by 32 to South Florida last year. The Orange heads to Louisville next week needing to win out to remain eligible for a bowl game and desperately looking for answers.
jediamon@syr.edu
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