Orange Has Sights Set on Cincinnati
10/22/2006 3:16:01 PM | Football
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Read Coach Robinson's Press Conference Transcript
Syracuse turns its attention to Cincinnati and its ninth game in nine weeks. The Orange will square off against the Bearcats at 12:00 p.m. in a game that will be televised on ESPN Regional.
"Cincinnati is a good, tough football team," Robinson said. "I like the way they are coached. They have a tough mindset about them. They play physical on offense and their defense flies around pretty darn good. I think you have two teams who want to make their stake in the BIG EAST. It will make for a real good battle on Saturday.”
Senior quarterback Perry Patterson had the best statistical game of his career against sixth-ranked Louisville last Saturday, completing a personal-best 24 passes on 38 attempts for a career-high 303 yards. Patterson ranks in the top five on all of Syracuse's career passing record lists, including passing yards, completions, completion percentage, touchdown passes and pass attempts. Syracuse is one of just 10 Division IA programs to have thrown three or fewer interceptions.
"Yesterday was a fine, fine performance by Perry," Robinson said. "I surely hope it is duly noted because I think a lot of times he takes a lot of heat in this town and he has done nothing but compete and battle and he just continues to improve. It has been very impressive in watching his development. To the last play yesterday, he was still swinging. I know our team truly respects what he has done. And, he has been a great role model for the young players to show what perseverance is all about."
In the game, three Orange receivers had at least 60 yards receiving. Tight end Tom Ferron Ferron led the way with a career-high seven catches for 88 yards. True freshman Mike Williams caught a personal-best five passes for 98 yards and one touchdown and junior Rice Moss had a season-high five receptions for 68 yards. Fifteen of Syracuse's 18 first downs against Louisville came via the pass.
"Rice is a very good football player," Robinson said. "It is good to see that he is feeling healthy. I think he is running better. I have seen a maturity in Rice since last spring. Quite frankly, I think the best thing that happened to Rice was Taj Smith coming here because somebody was really in there to compete with him and it brought the best out in him. I have watched his maturity grow. I really think that he flourished when Taj came on board. That is just my opinion. I see a real good football player. He is very complete. He blocks, does all the little things, he makes the tough catches, he is a tough guy and he has some leadership. Our team has a lot of respect for Rice. He does a lot of things. When you really go through and watch him throughout the game, you feel his presence.”
