Next Stop for the Orange Gridders: Oxford, Ohio
9/23/2007 5:46:56 PM | Football
Read the Game Notes
Read Head Coach Greg Robinson's Press Conference Transcript
The Orange will play its second game in a row on the road on Saturday, September 29 to play Miami (OH) in Oxford, Ohio (3:00 p.m., The Ohio News Network). Syracuse upset nationally-ranked Louisville last Saturday, 38-35, to win its BIG EAST Conference opener. While Syracuse owns a 3-0 advantage in the series with the RedHawks, it will be the first time in the 118-year history of the Syracuse program that the Orange play in Oxford. The Orange won the 2006 meeting, 34-14, in the Carrier Dome.
"I have great respect for their coach (Shane Montgomery)," said head coach Greg Robinson on Sunday afternoon. "Their quarterback (Dan Raudabaugh), who played against us last year, I have a lot of respect for him. It really isn't about Miami of Ohio, it's about Syracuse. Just like it wasn't about Louisville, it was about us. As long as we can maintain and keep worry about things we can control, then that's all you can do. That's really how I see it."
Syracuse's defense is tied for 30th nationally in turnover ratio (+ 0.75). The Orange recorded four takeaways at Louisville, increasing the season total to seven. Senior defensive end Jameel McClain intercepted a pass and forced a fumble, junior linebacker Ben Maljovec recovered two fumbles and junior safetey A.J. Brown had an interception. It was the 13th time in 27 games (48.1 pct.) under Robinson the Orange has forced at least three miscues.
The Orange kickoff return unit is also among the best in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Syracuse ranks 20th nationally and leads the BIG EAST, averaging 25.26 yards per return. True freshman Max Suter returned a kickoff 93 yards at Louisville, becoming the first Syracuse player since 1998 to score a touchdown on a kickoff. He ranks 27th in the nation with a 27.22 yards per return average.
"I saw a lot of Max in high school and he was a very exciting football player," Robison said. "When he came in for the summer, he was one of those guys the older players talked about – kind of a different guy. I'm not certain they totally wanted to admit he could run, but they were telling me he could run. Then in camp you could see this guy is a good athlete."
