Jerry Mackey returned a fumble for a touchdown against Illinois.
Orange Defense Among Best at Forcing Turnovers
9/19/2006 3:59:12 PM | Football
The Syracuse defense continued its early-season success of forcing turnovers in its victory against Illinois. The Orange forced two turnovers, including a third-quarter fumble that senior linebacker Jerry Mackey scooped up and returned for a touchdown, as SU won its first game in the 2006 season 31-21. Syracuse is tied for third with a plus 2.0 turnover margin. The Orange is tied for first in the country with six interceptions and has also recovered two fumbles.
“We are doing a good job in that area,” said head coach Greg Robinson. “I am pleased with the progress that the defense has made and I think that they are going to continue to get turnovers. I think that they are growing as a unit. I saw a lot of progress from week one to week two to week three with our defensive unit. I have high expectations for this group. There are younger players who are starting to show a feeling for playing. As they keep getting more and more comfortable, I think the turnovers and all those kinds of things are going to increase.”
Syracuse now turns its focus to Miami (OH) as SU prepares to take on the Redhawks on Saturday at 7 p.m. Robinson said he and the Orange are aware of the RedHawks scrambling quarterback Mike Kokal and their standout wide receiver and punt returner Ryne Robinson.
“I like what they do on offense,” Robinson said. “I like (quarterback Mike) Kokal. He is a good thrower and he’s mobile. He likes to scramble. They use the zone-read offense. They have their running back (Brandon) Murphy back, who came back last week and rushed for more than 100 yards. I think that he was All-MAC last year. He is a good back. They have their receiver, Ryne Robinson, who is not only a wide receiver, but a great punt returner. Not good, but great punt returner. I think that he has 26 catches and that he is averaging 122 yards a game. They put up almost 500 yards of offense against Purdue. They can perform. On defense, they’re a sound defense. They play hard. Again, you have to earn it against them.”
Season and individual game tickets are available via the internet (click here) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (1-888-DOMETIX).
This Saturday (Sept. 23) Syracuse will host Miami (OH) in the first of a three-game homestand. Kickoff for the game against the RedHawks is 7:00 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPNU. The game is a re-match of the first game played in the Carrier Dome, which Syracuse won, 36-24, on September 20, 1980. The Red Hawks also played in the Dome during the 1987 season, losing to the Orange 24-10. Syracuse finished the 1987 season with an 11-0-1 record.
Tickets for the 'Youth Day' game are available at the Carrier Dome Box Office (1-888-DOMETIX) and online (click here). Individual game tickets are $12 for youth. In addition, fans who are 60 and older are invited to purchase tickets for $12. Fans who purchase the special senior tickets will be asked to show ID at the door on gameday.
Syracuse will begin The BIG EAST Conference portion of its schedule on October 7 against Pittsburgh in the Carrier Dome. The game will kickoff at 12:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN Regional Television. It is the fifth scheduled game of the 2006 season for the Orange on television. Every Syracuse game is broadcast on the Syracuse ISP Sports Network, which is streamed live on Orange All Access (click here).
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