Sophomore defensive end Brandon Gilbeaux is one of six defensive linemen on the roster with game experience.
The Orange is Gearing Up for the Annual Spring Game
4/13/2007 3:30:03 PM | Football
The 2007 Orange football squad is enjoying its time back on the field in spring practice as the team gears up for the annual spring game on Saturday, April 21 at the Carrier Dome. The Orange take the field for the annual Spring game at 12:30 p.m. with the scrimmage beginning at 1 p.m. Tickets for the 2007 season are available online (click here) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (1-888-DOMETIX). The Carrier Dome Box Office will be open at 11:00 a.m. on April 21 for fans to purchase their tickets prior to the Spring game.
Sophomore defensive end Brandon Gilbeaux, who earned 2006 Sporting News Freshman All-BIG EAST honors, parrticipated in every game last season, recording a career-best six tackles against Rutgers in the final game of the season. Gilbeaux is one of six defensive linemen with playing experience working under the direction of new defensive line coach Derrick Jackson.
“The defensive line is definitely making progress,” Gilbeaux said. “We're strong, quick, and disciplined. I'm happy with the way it's going. We're more disciplined. We understand what we're doing and our jobs on the field.”
Sophomore defensive end Mike Owen transitioned from linebacker to defensive end during 2006 preseason camp, recorded two tackles against Miami (OH) during the 2006 season.
“Spring ball is just the time to get ahead on football, get all the rust off, get the footwork down, know all the basics and just learn as much as possible to get yourself better so that when the time comes to preseason camp you are ready to go,” Owen said. “We're (the defensive line) getting better with footwork, that's our main focus this year, just working with footwork and minimum assignment. Our footwork is getting better; we're just playing hard and improving everyday.”
Owen is concentrating on continuing his development as a defensive lineman.
“It has been good,” he said. “I have made a lot of progress. Last year I was just starting to get the feel of defensive end because I had never played down there. Each week I just try to get better and right now I'm comfortable.”
Sophomore running back Delone Carter is experiencing his first spring practice with the Orange after a standout freshman season. A Sporting News Freshman All-American and Freshman All-BIG EAST selection, Carter recorded 713 yards, on 156 carries and ranks second in school history for rushing yards by a freshman. He averaged 59.40 rushing yards per game in 2006, the 11th-best mark by a freshman in the NCAA and fifth-highest among true freshman. Scored four touchdowns and rushed for 129 yards in a double overtime win against Wyoming .
“This whole spring has been a confidence boost, and it has helped me mature,” Carter said. “I feel I am well into the program now, and it is something I have been doing for a while. I don't feel like a new kid anymore.”
Carter is optimistic about the progress the offense has made throughout Spring practice.
“First of all, I have to say, there is tremendous improvement with the offensive line, and with the running backs and receivers,” Carter said. “From the offensive point of view, it is all going well. Defensively, we lost a lot of key players but I don't think they lost a step. It's just amazing to me.”
With one week remaining in Spring practice, Carter is getting excited about his first Syracuse Spring game and what follows that for the 2007 season.
“Anytime we compete in full pads it's a great feeling, and we can't wait for that, but it doesn't compare to hitting somebody else other than your teammate,” Carter said. “When we get to the summer it is going to be another level of excitement for us and right now we're in here grinding to get better.”
Senior wide receiver Taj Smith is back on the field after injuring his collarbone in the fourth game of the 2006 season. He is anxious to make an impact in his senior year. Last season against Illinois Smith had five catches for a career high 106 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown reception, and a 42-yard touchdown run after picking up a fumble. Smith said he thinks Spring practice is going well and he is looking forward to the annual Spring game.
“I feel like we're working hard, we have been working hard since the beginning and it’s going well,” Smith said. “I see the quarterbacks going through their progressions and the wide receivers are just competing. For me, I think the Spring game is going to be good because I haven't played football for five months now. We do a little bit of hitting, when we have scrimmages we really don't go full contact, but when the spring game comes everybody gets to go out there and just play their game. I think it's going to be good to just see how it is, seeing who can tackle and seeing who can play under pressure. It is mostly just us playing a game for us and showing the fans that we are better than last year and we're going to come in and be better this year. It's not about focusing on what is going on around us. It's about focusing on what is happening on the field.”
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