Spring Break
The Daily OrangeBROKEN DOWN: Syracuse unable to overcome injuries, suspensions in blowout defeat
By Jared Diamond
Posted: 11/9/09, 3:25 AM EST Section: Sports
|
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.
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 play sucked the life from the Orange and exploited its offensive deficiencies. From that point on, SU showcased its inability to make big plays, and the Panthers took advantage.
"We were moving the ball pretty well there," Paulus said. "It was 6-3 at that point, and if we had put some points on the board, even if we didn't and they didn't get anything ? 6-3 going into the half is a lot better than 13-3."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Alan
posted 11/09/09 @ 2:53 PM EST
Basketball season is here so forget about football like the last several years and support the basketball team. I feel bad about the football program but it is not going to get better anytime soon - come back in 4 years and maybe they can win 6 or 7 games assuming we have some brave recruits that are any good. (Continued…)
Post a Comment