Junior Jameel McClain (52) had a career-best nine tackles, including 2.5 for a loss and a sack, against Cincinnati.
McClain Leads Orange Sack Attack
10/29/2006 4:02:25 PM | Football
Read the Game Notes
Read Head Coach Greg Robinson's Press Conference Transcript
Junior defensive end Jameel McClain is tied for 11th nationally in sacks, averaging .94 per game. His 8.5 sacks through nine games this year is tied for fifth-most by a junior in the Orange record books. Last week McClain was named to the mid-season watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award, which is presented to the nation's best defensive end. The Orange defense has 29 sacks this season, four more than Syracuse had in 2005. At Cincinnati, McClain had a career-high nine tackles, including 2.5 for a loss and a sack. He played a big role in SU's goal line stand in the second quarter when he leaped over the pile and helped stop Cincinnati's Butler Benton on fourth down and goal from the SU one-yard line.
“On defense, I liked the hitting and I liked the aggressiveness," Robinson said of his team's performance against Cincinnati. "For the most part, it was more cohesive. The margin for error was very minimal in a game like that. The first pass they hit, if you really study it and watch it, it was a great throw and catch because we had very good coverage. Yes, you could have coached it to be a little bit better. All in all, it was a good hook-up. There was the drive where we had them backed up on third-and-14 and let them out. That is why third downs are important. You can get off the field there in a 10-3 ball game and it is looking like an outstanding defensive effort. All in all, I thought I walked away thinking this looks more like the defense that I envisioned us developing into. We have to go from there."
Syracuse (3-6 overall, 0-4 BIG EAST) has a bye this weekend (Nov. 4) and will return to the field on November 11 at South Florida (5-3, 1-2). Syracuse has played USF just once, losing 27-0 last season in the Carrier Dome. In that game, McClain recorded the first sack of his career and Dowayne Davis paced the Orange defense with 10 tackles, including seven solo stops.
True freshman running back Delone Carter is fourth on Syracuse's record list for rushing yards by a freshman. He has gained 487 yards on 119 carries, including 85 yards on 21 rushes at Cincinnati. He leads Syracuse in rushing yards, yards per game on the ground (54.1) and has a team-best four rushing touchdowns, all of which he scored in SU's thrilling double-overtime victory against Wyoming.
The Orange continues to be one of the nation's best teams in terms of forcing turnovers and keeping its own to a minimum. Syracuse is one of eight programs in Division I-A with at least a +1.22 turnover margin. The Orange had two interceptions at Cincinnati. Syracuse has 22 takeaways this season, which is tied for ninth nationally, and the Orange is one of 10 teams with at least 22 turnovers gained in 2006. On offense, Syracuse did not turn the ball over against Cincinnati, marking the third game this season put a zero in the turnover column. Senior quarterback Perry Patterson has not thrown an interception in six of nine games this year and has had just three passes intercepted all year. Syracuse is one of nine Division I-A schools with three or fewer interceptions. Patterson ranks third in the BIG EAST with 166.6 passing yards per game this year. His 4,854 career passing yards ranks fourth in the Syracuse record books.
Read Head Coach Greg Robinson's Press Conference Transcript
Junior defensive end Jameel McClain is tied for 11th nationally in sacks, averaging .94 per game. His 8.5 sacks through nine games this year is tied for fifth-most by a junior in the Orange record books. Last week McClain was named to the mid-season watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award, which is presented to the nation's best defensive end. The Orange defense has 29 sacks this season, four more than Syracuse had in 2005. At Cincinnati, McClain had a career-high nine tackles, including 2.5 for a loss and a sack. He played a big role in SU's goal line stand in the second quarter when he leaped over the pile and helped stop Cincinnati's Butler Benton on fourth down and goal from the SU one-yard line.
“On defense, I liked the hitting and I liked the aggressiveness," Robinson said of his team's performance against Cincinnati. "For the most part, it was more cohesive. The margin for error was very minimal in a game like that. The first pass they hit, if you really study it and watch it, it was a great throw and catch because we had very good coverage. Yes, you could have coached it to be a little bit better. All in all, it was a good hook-up. There was the drive where we had them backed up on third-and-14 and let them out. That is why third downs are important. You can get off the field there in a 10-3 ball game and it is looking like an outstanding defensive effort. All in all, I thought I walked away thinking this looks more like the defense that I envisioned us developing into. We have to go from there."
Syracuse (3-6 overall, 0-4 BIG EAST) has a bye this weekend (Nov. 4) and will return to the field on November 11 at South Florida (5-3, 1-2). Syracuse has played USF just once, losing 27-0 last season in the Carrier Dome. In that game, McClain recorded the first sack of his career and Dowayne Davis paced the Orange defense with 10 tackles, including seven solo stops.
True freshman running back Delone Carter is fourth on Syracuse's record list for rushing yards by a freshman. He has gained 487 yards on 119 carries, including 85 yards on 21 rushes at Cincinnati. He leads Syracuse in rushing yards, yards per game on the ground (54.1) and has a team-best four rushing touchdowns, all of which he scored in SU's thrilling double-overtime victory against Wyoming.
The Orange continues to be one of the nation's best teams in terms of forcing turnovers and keeping its own to a minimum. Syracuse is one of eight programs in Division I-A with at least a +1.22 turnover margin. The Orange had two interceptions at Cincinnati. Syracuse has 22 takeaways this season, which is tied for ninth nationally, and the Orange is one of 10 teams with at least 22 turnovers gained in 2006. On offense, Syracuse did not turn the ball over against Cincinnati, marking the third game this season put a zero in the turnover column. Senior quarterback Perry Patterson has not thrown an interception in six of nine games this year and has had just three passes intercepted all year. Syracuse is one of nine Division I-A schools with three or fewer interceptions. Patterson ranks third in the BIG EAST with 166.6 passing yards per game this year. His 4,854 career passing yards ranks fourth in the Syracuse record books.
G-Mac is back! 🍊💪
Wednesday, March 25
Women's Lacrosse Postgame Press Conference vs. UAlbany
Tuesday, March 24
Highlights | Women's Lacrosse at UAlbany
Tuesday, March 24
Welcome Home Gerry McNamara
Tuesday, March 24
