Orangeman Ready For Battle with Bearcats
9/4/2000 2:19:59 PM | Football
Syracuse leads the series against the Bearcats 3-0 In the most recent meeting in 1998, the Orange beat UC, 63-21, in the Carrier Dome - SU won the first-ever meeting between the teams, 24-21, in 1993 in the Carrier Dome and scored a 34-19 decision in 1994 in Cincinnati - SU owns a 121-61 scoring advantage in the three games (an average final score of 40.3 to 20.3).
On the Air
Television
This week's game will be broadcast on Fox Sports to 80 percent of the nation -
Joel Meyers and Trevor Matich will call the action from the booth and Lewis
Johnson will provide sideline reports - The game will be televised in Central
New York on Empire Sports Network.
Radio
All of SU's games will be broadcast on the SU Radio Network - Dave Pasch will
handle the play-by-play duties, while Dave Hammond will serve as the analyst -
In addition, Mike Schopp will provide sideline reports and Carter Blackburn
will add feature segments to the broadcast - The flagship station is WAQX-95.7 FM -
See page 4 for a complete listing of stations on the radio network - Orange
football can also be heard on WAER - WAER's sports director is Damon Amendolara.
Brown Sets the Pace Early
For the third time in his career senior running back Dee Brown
(Altamonte Springs, FL) gained more than 100 yards in the first
half - Brown, who finished the night with a career-high 157 yards on the
ground, picked up 124 yards before halftime - In his previous career-best
game at Pittsburgh in 1997, Brown gained 117 of 154 rushing yards in the
first half - In the 1999 season opener at Toledo, Brown rushed for 136 yards
overall, gaining 114 before the intermission - Brown caught his first career
touchdown against the Bulls, a two-yard pass from Troy Nunes in the second
quarter - Brown's 157 yards ranks ninth in the NCAA Division I-A football statistics.
SU Scores Often In Season Opener
The 63 points SU scored in its season opener against Buffalo is the most
points by an Orange team in the first game of a campaign since 1942, when
the Orangemen beat Clarkson, 58-6, in Archbold Stadium - It is the largest
margin of victory (56 points) to begin a season since SU beat Hobart, 77-0,
in the first game of the season 1929 - In recent years, SU's impressive
season-openers include a 34-0 victory against Wisconsin in the 1997 Kickoff
Classic and a 43-3 victory at Temple in 1989.
Johnson Injures Ankle
Senior fullback Kyle Johnson (Woodbridge, NJ) scored on a four-yard run
in the second quarter before suffering a fracture above his left ankle - Johnson
had surgery on the ankle on Sunday morning (9/3) - Against the Bulls Johnson gained
27 yards on five carries and caught one pass for one yard.
Davis Scores Three TDs
Sophomore running back Chris Davis (Tampa, FL) crossed the goal line for
the first time in his career against Buffalo - Davis scored the first Syracuse
touchdown of the 2000 season with 11:50 left in the first quarter on a one-yard
run - He followed it up with a two-yard scamper 4:14 later - He picked up the hat
trick in the third quarter on a career-long 20-yard run - It was the first time
since 1998 that an SU player scored three touchdowns in one game - Donovan McNabb
crossed the goal line three times vs. Miami that season - Davis finished the game
with 24 yards on a career-high four carries - In comparison, Davis' four carries vs.
Buffalo match his total carries from 1999.
ALLEN, TYREE PROVIDE SPECIAL TEAMS SPARK IN SEASON OPENER
Senior cornerback Will Allen (Syracuse, NY) blocked a Buffalo field goal
attempt from 27 yards away with 2:58 remaining the first quarter - Greg Shaw was the
last Orangeman to stop a field goal when he deflected an attempt in 1993 vs. Temple.
Senior Will Allen (Syracuse, NY) ran a kickoff back a career-high 59 yards against
Buffalo in his only return attempt in the game - The run broke Allen's career return
mark of 52 yards (Virginia Tech, 1999) - Allen led SU in the kickoff returns and return yardage last season, taking 18 attempts for 382 yards for an average of 21.2 yards per return.
Sophomore wide receiver David Tyree (Montclair, NJ) blocked a punt by
Dallas Pelz and returned it for his first career touchdown in the third quarter -
The last time a Syracuse player blocked a punt was in 1999 -
Keeon Walker (Hoboken, NJ) blocked a Central Michigan punt that was
recovered and returned for a score by Will Allen (Syracuse, NY) - Tyree
scored the first points of his college vs. Buffalo - Tyree caught Troy Nunes'
(Butler, PA) two-point conversion pass in the second quarter, marking his first
collegiate points.
Syracuse In the NCAA Statistics Player Category Rank Stat Dee Brown Rushing Offense 9th 157.0 Pts. Responsible For T-21st 12 Scoring T-18th 12 All-Purpose Yards 23rd 159.0 Chris Davis Pts. Responsible For T-6th 18.0 Scoring T-2nd 18 Malik Campbell Punt Returns 29th 10.67 Category Rank Stat Rushing Offense 5th 304.0 Total Offense 40th 386.0 Scoring Offense T-1st 63.0 Rushing Defense 43rd 102.0 Passing Defense 41st 168.0 Total Defense T-34th 270.0 Punt Returns T-21st 13.0 Kickoff Returns T-1st 45.0 Turnover Margin T-4th 4 Passes Intercepted T-10 2 Fumbles Recovered T-5th 3 Turnovers Gained T-5th 5 Turnovers Lost T-18th 1 Pass Efficiency 20th 157.68 Pass Efficiency Defense 23rd 81.66 Syracuse in BIG EAST Statistics INDIVIDUAL Player Category Rank Stat. Brown, Dee Rushing 2 157.0 Total Offense 6 157.0 All Purpose 3 159.0 Scoring T2 12.0 Touchdowns T2 2 Campbell, Malik Punt Returns 5 10.7 Davis, Chris Scoring 1 18.0 Touchdowns 1 3 Shafer, Mike Scoring (Kicking) 5 7.0 Thomas, Josh Interceptions 8 1/5 Woodcock, Pat Receiving Yards Per Game 7 75.0 TEAM Category Rank Statistic Scoring Offense 1 63.0 Scoring Defense T2 7.0 Pass Offense 8 82.0 Pass Defense 4 168.0 Kickoff Returns 1 45.0 Net Punting 8 24.2 Turnover Margin 2 4.00 Rushing Offense 2 304.0 Rushing Defense 5 102.0 Total Offense 5 386.0 Total Defense 3 270.0 Punt Returns 2 13.0 Pass Efficiency 4 157.6 Pass Defense Efficiency 2 81.7 First Downs 5 23 Opponent First Downs 3 14 Sacks By 2 3 Sacks Against T4 2 Penalties 7 10/88 Opponent Penalties 6 6/38 4th Down Conversions T4 0.0% Opp. 4th Down Conv. T7 100.0% Third Down Converstions 6 40.0% Opp. 3rd Down Conv. 3 17.6% Field Goals 6 0.0% PAT Kicking T6 .875 Time of Possession 4 28:01 Interceptions
Nunes Wins Starting Quarterback Position
Sophomore quarterback Troy Nunes (Butler, PA) was announced as the
starting quarterback before kickoff against Buffalo - Nunes ran the offense
during the first half and part of the third quarter, completing five of eight
passes for 25 yards and one touchdown - Nunes connected on a two-yard pass with
senior running back Dee Brown (Altamonte Springs, FL) at the 8:22 mark of the
second quarter - Nunes led the offense in generating 232 total yards before halftime.
Harris Returns Fumble For Touchdown
Junior free safety Quentin Harris (Wilkes-Barre, PA) recorded his first
fumble recovery against the Bulls - Harris picked up a fumble forced by redshirt
freshman defensive tackle Louis Gachelin (Miami, FL) and returned it 91
yards for his first career touchdown - Junior Giovanni DeLoatch (Teaneck, NJ)
was the last Orangeman to return a fumble for a touchdown - He ran back a Miami
fumble 27 yards in 1998 - Against Buffalo Harris led the Orange defense with nine
tackles, including one for a loss.
Harris Posting Numbers Reminiscent Of Darius
Harris made nine tackles against Buffalo - Harris has the opportunity to follow in
the footsteps of another great SU free safety - Donovin Darius, a four-year player
at Syracuse from 1994-97, had a comparable career at Syracuse culminating in an
All-America selection in 1997.
Harris' Career Statistics Solo Ast. TL Int. 1998 31 18 49 3 1999 57 40 97 2 2000 8 1 9 0 TOTAL 96 59 155 5 Darius's Career Statistics Solo Ast. TL Int. 1994 18 8 26 1 1995 79 52 131 2 1996 62 41 103 2 1997 70 49 119 7 TOTAL 229 150 379 12
Thomas Records Interception In First Collegiate Game
Redshirt freshman Josh Thomas (Orchard Park, NY) reeled in his first
career interception in the fourth quarter - Thomas batted a pass by Buffalo
quarterback Joe Freedy into the air, spun around and caught it with one hand
and returned it five yards - Thomas added five tackles to the effort.
Ferrara Scoops Up Fumble In Collegiate
Redshirt freshman Christian Ferrara (North Caldwell, NJ) recovered a
fumble in his first collegiate game against Buffalo - Defensive end Dwight
Freeney (Bloomfield, CT) sacked Buffalo quarterback Joe Freedy forcing the
fumble which Ferrara recovered at the Buffalo 36-yard line - He also recorded
three tackles in the game.
Benson Picks Off First Pass Of His Career
Senior cornerback Andrew Benson (Providence, RI) recorded his first
interception against Buffalo - Benson picked off a pass from Buffalo quarterback
Joe Freedy and returned it 20 yards - It was Benson's first appearance on the field
since the Cincinnati game in 1998.
MILESTONES
Orangemen Earn First Career Starts
Ten Syracuse players made their first career starts against Buffalo, including:
Malik Campbell (wide receiver), Christian Ferrara (defensive tackle),
JR Johnson (linebacker), Erik Kalyonides (right guard),
Emerson Kilgore (left guard), Aaron Lewis (tight end),
Graham Manley (tight end), Latroy Oliver (cornerback),
Nick Romeo (center) and Clifford Snell (defensive end).
Nineteen Players Make Orange Debut
Saturday's game against Buffalo marked the first collegiate game for 19
Syracuse players, including : R.J. Anderson (quarterback),
Barry Baker (running back), Andrew Bulman (offensive tackle),
Chris Buda (offensive guard), Lenny Cusumano (fullback),
William (B.J.) Darnell (cornerback), Jameel Dumas (linebacker),
Christian Ferrara (defensive tackle), Diamond Ferri (running back),
Jeremie Frazier (tight end), Louis Gachelin (defensive tackle),
David Hohensee (tight end), Johnnie Morant (wide receiver),
Jamel Riddle (wide receiver), Nick Romeo (center),
Kevin Sampson (offensive line), Rich Scanlon (linebacker),
Charles Simpson (defensive tackle), Josh Thomas (defensive end) and
Elvis Torres (wide receiver).
ROOKIES GET ON THE FIELD
Redshirt freshman R.J. Anderson (Plainville, CT) saw action for the first time in a Syracuse uniformAnderson ran the offense for part of the third quarterAnderson completed the only pass he threw, a 57-yard pass to senior wide receiver Pat Woodcock (Kanata, ONT), which was a career-long reception for the senior wide receiverAnderson also carried the ball twice for six yards.
Morant and Ferri Debut As True Freshman
True freshmen Diamond Ferri (Everett, MA) and
Johnnie Morant (Parsippany, NJ) made their collegiate debuts against Buffalo -
Ferri and Morant were the 18th and 19th players, respectively, to see action in
their first year on campus during the Paul Pasqualoni era - They were also the
sixth and seventh players during Coach P's tenure to take the field as true
freshman in the season opener - Ferri carried the ball seven times for 55 yards and
a touchdown in his first game - His scoring run was a 25-yard scamper
with 6:27 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Scott Records Career-Best Run Sophomore George Scott (Baldwinsville, NY) had a 15-yard carry in the second half, setting a personal-best for his collegiate career - His previous best was a 13-yard run against Central Michigan last season - Scott had three carries for 25 yards against the Buffalo - Last season, he took the ball eight times for 34 yards and a touchdown.
Campbell Fields Punts
Junior Malik Campbell (Buffalo, NY) took the reigns as Syracuse's
punt returner - Campbell returned three punts for 32 yards Saturday against Buffalo -
His 17-yard return was a career-high - Campbell also caught one pass for four yards.
Jackson Sprints For Career-Best Run
Junior wide receiver Maurice Jackson (Rochester, NY) recorded his top
career run from scrimmage against Buffalo - Jackson took a reverse for 19 yards -
Jackson's previous career-high run was six yards against Temple in 1998.
Wells Records Career-Best In Tackles
Junior Rodney Wells (Orlando, FL) recorded a career-best six tackles against
Buffalo - He had three solo stops and three assisted tackles - His previous
personal-best was three against Cincinnati in 1998.
Senior wide receiver Pat Woodcock (Ontario, Canada) caught a 57-yard pass from
redshirt freshman quarterback R.J. Anderson (Plainville, CT) in the third quarter
against Buffalo, marking the longest reception of his career - His previous
career-best was a 54-yard catch against Michigan in 1999 - Woodcock led all SU
receivers against Buffalo with three catches for 75 yards.
Sophomore Mike Shafer (Sarasota, FL) added a milestone to his playing career against
Buffalo - His point-after-touchdown kick at the 11:50 mark of the first quarter was
the first conversion of his career - Shafer handled the punting duties exclusively
last season, but added placekicking responsibilities to his list the fall - He was
seven-for-eight for PATs against Buffalo - He also punted three times against the
Bulls, compiling 131 yards (43.7 yards per attempt).
Junior Will Hunter (Chester, PA) had a personal-best seven tackles against Buffalo -
He recorded six solo stops, including one for a loss of 14 yards, one assist and
also had one quarterback hurry.
Minter Records Six Tackles in Defensive Debut
Junior Maurice Minter (Ossining, NY), had a career-best six tackles against
Buffalo, including five on special teams - Minter made his debut for the SU defense
and recorded one assisted tackle - Minter played wide receiver during his freshman
and sophomore seasons and moved to safety during 2000 spring practice and then to
linebacker during SU's 2000 preseason camp.
Something In Common
When SU lines against the Cincinnati Bearcats, Garden City (KA) Community
College and Milford Academy will be represented on both sides of the field -
SU tight end Jeremie Frazier and UC's offensive tackle Mike Love both played at
Garden City (KA) Community College - In addition, SU reserve quarterback R.J.
Anderson went to Milford in 1998, while UC's Chris Siegle (quarterback) was a
student there in 1999.
Syracuse Player Cincinnati Player High School (Metropolitan area) R.J. Anderson (1998) Chris Siegle (1999) Milford Academy (Connecticut) Jeremie Frazier (1999) Mike Love (1997) Garden City (KA) Community College
RECOGNIZED FOR ACADEMICS
The SU football program will receive the 2000 American Football Coaches
Association (AFCA) Academic Achievement Award, given annually by the Touchdown
Club of MemphisSyracuse earned the award for having a 100 percent graduation
rate for members of its football squad when every member of the 1994-95 freshman
class earned a degree.
GREENWOOD AMONG NATION'S BEST LINEBACKERS
Senior co-captain Morlon Greenwood (Freeport, NY) is a candidate for the
2000 Butkus AwardThe award honors the top linebacker in Division I-AGreenwood has
made 37 consecutive starts at SU and was third on the team last season with 91
tackles, including a career-high 11 stops against TulaneGreenwood is rated the
15th-best outside linebacker nationally by Lindy's preseason magazineHe is one of
four BIG EAST representatives on the list (Dan Morgan, UM, and Taylor Suman,
TU and LeVar Talley, TU)The 70-player Butkus Award Watch List will be trimmed to
10 semi-finalists on October 19Three finalists will be announced on November 9.
The Butkus Award Gala will be on December 8 at the Hard Rock Live in Orlando, FL.
DEFENSIVE BOOKENDS
Senior Duke Pettijohn (Mattapan, MA) and junior Dwight Freeney
(Bloomfield, CT) give the Orange one of the best sets of defensive ends
in the nationIn 1999 Pettijohn registered 10.5 sacks and 45 tackles,
including 13 for a loss, en route to earning All-BIG EAST First Team honors
Pettijohn, who began his SU career as a linebacker, has played in 32 games and
started 20 of thoseFreeney recorded 3.5 sacks and had 19 tackles, including five
for a lossFreeney, who played as a true freshman in 1998, has played in 21 games,
including two startsPettijohn and Freeney are the ends for a defensive line that
is ranked ninth by Lindy's preseason magazineDefensive tackles Rickie
Simpkins (Middle Village, NY) and Eric Downing (Paterson, NJ)
start on the inside.
DEFENDING ON THE INSIDE
Defensive tackles Rickie Simpkins (Middle Village, NY) and Eric
Downing (Paterson, NJ) join defensive ends Duke Pettijohn (Mattapan, MA)
and junior Dwight Freeney (Bloomfield, CT) to make up one of the nation's
best defensive linesSimpkins posted 4.5 sacks and 53 tackles in 1999, including
nine tackles for a lossDowning had 2.0 sacks and 43 tackles, including 11 for a
loss.
2000 TEAM CAPTAINS
Three seniors, Morlon Greenwood (Freeport, NY), Kyle Johnson
(Woodbridge, NJ) and Pat Woodcock (Kanata, Ontario, Canada) will serve as the 2000 team captainsThe trio was elected in a team vote on the final day of Spring Practice in May.
All the World's a Stage
Kyle Johnson (Woodbridge, NJ) performs on the theatrical stage
and on the radio waves, as well as on the football field - During the
Spring of 2000 Johnson played the role of Cephus Miles in the performance of
"Home" in the Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company production in Syracuse -
In addition, Johnson is a co-host of "Sunday Night Love Flight" on WJPZ-89.1FM,
an SU student-run radio station.
Other Orangemen on Stage
Defensive end Duke Pettijohn, cornerback Will Allen, placekicker
Peter Ferris, wide receiver Pat Woodcock and running back James
Mungro have also played roles in theatrical productions during their SU careers.
Five Players Miss Season Opener
Offensive lineman PJ Alexander (Tallahassee, FL), running back James
Mungro (East Stroudsburg, PA), defensive lineman Duke Pettijohn
(Mattapan, MA), defensive lineman Rickie Simpkins (Middle Village, NY)
and offensive lineman Vaughn Smith (Clinton, MD) were suspended for SU's
game against Buffalo due to a violation of team policy.
HOMETOWN HEROES
Senior Will Allen (Corcoran HS), junior JR Johnson
(Cicero North Syracuse HS), Brian Hooper (Auburn HS) and
George Scott (Baldwinsville HS) are from the Syracuse area.
THE NAME GAME
The 2000 Syracuse roster contains four sets of players with the same last name,
although none of the players are relatedThe name Burton is shared by
offensive lineman Joe and free safety CharlesJohnson is the last name of fullback
Kyle and linebacker JR Scott is the surname for fullback George and
safety O'Neilthe name Smith is on the jersey for offensive lineman Vaughn
and linebacker Clifton.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Defensive ends Louis Gachelin, a redshirt freshman, and James
Dumervil, a freshman, are brothersTheir father is Frank GachelinThe pair
attended Jackson High School in Miami, FL.
BLOWING OUT THE CANDLES IN SEPTEMBER
Seven members of the Orangemen football family celebrate their birthdays in the month of September. Of the group, only one - Eric Downing (Paterson, NJ) - will blow out his candles on a Saturday.
| Player/Coach | Year | Birthdate |
| Eric Downing | Senior | Sept. 16, 1978 |
| Mark Holtzman | Junior | Sept. 7, 1978 |
| Maurice Jackson | Junior | Sept. 4, 1979 |
| Tre Mathis | RS Freshman | Sept. 12, 1980 |
| Sean O'Connor | Junior | Sept. 14, 1978 |
| Jamel Riddle | RS Freshman | Sept. 11, 1981 |
| Chris Rippon | Def. Coordinator/Linebackers Coach | Sept. 20,1960 |
