Senior cornerbacks Terrell Lemon (left) and Tanard Jackson (right) and the rest of the Orange senior class will play their final game for Syracuse on Saturday at Rutgers (12:00 p.m.).
The Corner Anchors
11/22/2006 1:19:01 PM | Football
Senior cornerbacks Tanard Jackson and Terrell Lemon have anchored the Orange defense from the secondary throughout the 2006 season. Jackson will start his 23rd consecutive game on Saturday when the Orange face Rutgers (12:00 p.m., ESPNU), while Lemon will be on the field at corner in a starting role for the 12th game of the year. Orange fans can listen to the game on the Syracuse ISP Sports Network (click here).
Lemon was a member of the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team as a rookie in 2003. He earned the starting spot back prior to his final campaign for the Cuse.
“There’s really no difference, I’m just happy to be a starter,” Lemon said.
Through 11 games this year, Lemon recorded a personal best 53 tackles, including 38 solo stops. He also leads the team with three fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles, and has two interceptions and one sack. His forced and recovered fumbles are tied for first in the BIG EAST this year.
Lemon was named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week following his performance against Wyoming after registering a career-high 10 tackles, including a personal-best eight solo stops. He also forced three fumbles, an SU single-game record, and recovered two. Against Iowa, he recorded three tackles and had the first two interceptions of his career, becoming the first Orange player to intercept two passes in one game since Anthony Smith against Rutgers in 2005.
“He brings a lot to the game,” said Jackson of his teammate. “He’s a good cornerback. It was only a matter of time before he was going to come out there and showcase his talent.”
While Lemon worked his way back into the starting role, Jackson is in the midst of his third consecutive season as a starter. Jackson has recorded 57 tackles, including 45 solo stops, and has two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery this season. His career numbers include 160 tackles, five interceptions, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He has also made his presence felt in the opponent's backfield, registering 8.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
As seniors, both Lemon and Jackson have stepped into leadership roles on defense. And, like all good leaders, both say they prefer to lead by example, rather than just talk about what should be done on the field.
“Being the most experienced guy in the secondary, I feel I am the leader of the secondary,” said Jackson. “I’m not a real outspoken leader, I lead through actions. When (other players) see that, they raise the level of their game.”
“Awareness and leadership are my biggest strengths,” said Lemon. “I’ve been around for four years so I know what it takes to win. I’m not really vocal. I inspire players by making plays.”
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