Countdown to Kickoff: The Offense Has Depth

SYRACUSE, NY – Syracuse boasts one of the best running attacks in the country with 2004 Heisman Trophy candidate Walter Reyes and Damien Rhodes. The pair will lead the Orange offense and the SU squad in the 2004 season-opener at Purdue tomorrow (Sunday, September 5). The game will kick off at 1:30 and will be televised on ABC.

The offense will revolve around Reyes, who is also a candidate for the Maxwell Award, given to the nation’s top player, and the Doak Walker Award, presented to the nation’s top tailback. Last season, Reyes set SU single-season records for rushing touchdowns (20), total touchdowns (21) and points (128). He was the key to Syracuse’s success in 2003. The Orange won every contest in which Reyes rushed for at least 100 yards (North Carolina, Central Florida, Toledo, and Notre Dame).

Rhodes hopes to rebound from an injury-filled 2003 season and help take some pressure off Reyes. Rhodes compiled a team-high 1,268 all-purpose yards in 2002, the most ever by an SU freshman. In addition, Reyes and Rhodes combined for 1,703 rushing yards in 2002, the second-best total by a pair of tailbacks during the Pasqualoni era.

There are three candidates competing for the starting quarterback position, including sophomore Perry Patterson, junior Xzavier Gaines and true freshman Joe Fields. Patterson and Gaines both played in 2003, with Patterson seeing time in six games and Gaines in one. Fields enrolled at SU in January, 2004 after graduating from high school early.

Senior Greg Hanoian and redshirt freshman Breyone Evans will fill the fullback position. Hanoian had eight carries for 45 yards in 12 games in 2003.

The offensive line is a veteran unit featuring four student-athletes with starting experience. Senior Matt Tarullo moved from guard to center and senior Adam Terry is a two-year starter at tackle. Both Tarullo and Terry are candidates for the 2004 Outland Trophy, which is awarded to the nation’s top interior lineman. Junior guard Steve Franklin also started in 2003. Junior guard Jason Green has started and earned a great deal of playing time during his career. Junior tackle Quinn Ojinnaka will take over the spot vacated by the graduation of seventh-round NFL draft pick Kevin Sampson.

Junior Joe Kowalewski will line up as the starter in 2004 at tight end. He played in all 12 games last season and caught two passes for 47 yards and a touchdown. Juniors Alex Shor and Cory Brooks, and sophomore Brandon Darlington will also compete for playing time.

Senior Jared Jones returns as the most experienced wide receiver. The senior, who started all 12 games in 2003, caught 37 passes for 355 yards last season. Junior Steve Gregory is listed as the other starter after moving over to the offense from his cornerback position where he started for two years. Senior Andre Fontenette and sophomore Landel Bembo will also see action this season. Fontenette caught 11 passes for 68 yards last season.

After the season-opener at Purdue, SU will play at Buffalo on September 11 at 6:00 p.m. The Orange kicks off the home portion of the schedule on Saturday, September 18 against Cincinnati at 12:00 p.m. SU will also host Rutgers (Oct. 2 at 12:00 p.m.), Florida State (Oct. 9), Connecticut (Oct. 30) and Pittsburgh (Nov. 6).

For ticket information, call the Carrier Dome box office at 1-888-DOMETIX. Tickets are available at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B), by telephone (888-DOMETIX) or on the Internet dometix.com

Syracuse University Athletics

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