Sophomore linebacker Mike Mele is one of nine Syracuse players who will play in their homestate this weekend.
SU Set for Showdown with Scarlet Knights
11/4/2008 4:07:50 PM | Football
Game Notes
Coach Greg Robinson's Press Conference Transcript
Nine Syracuse football players return to their home state this Saturday when the Orange will face Rutgers (12:00 p.m., ESPNU). Senior Paul Chiara, sophomores Mike Mele and Da'Mon Merkerson, redshirt freshmen Chaz Cervino, Ollie Haney and Lamar Middleton and freshmen Jarel Lowrey, Grant Mayes and David Stevens all hail from the Garden State. Head coach Greg Robinson and the Orange are focused on earning their second BIG EAST victory in a row.
“The challenge of winning on the road in the BIG EAST and also the challenge of taking on a team that has a bye before you, is one that we're looking forward to taking on," Robinson said. "Rutgers is a good football team. In their last game against Pitt, who was in first place in the BIG EAST, they scored 54 points, which was quite an effort. We're looking forward to the game. We have a lot of work ahead of us."
Merkerson scored his first touchdown of the season against Louisville, three games after returning to the offensive side of the ball. He has four receptions for 76 yards (19.0 yards per catch).
"He stepped up big and he has gotten into the rhythm of things on the offensive side of that ball and that was really noted," Robinson said. "The bye week was really a plus for him because he was able to get some turns and become more and more comfortable and all of a sudden he was showing up in practice and all of a sudden it showed up in the game."
Merkerson is one of 16 SU players who have caught a pass this season. The Orange passing game is averaging 145.8 yards per game and has accounted for nine touchdowns. The SU run game is averaging 154 .1 yards per contest, led by senior Curtis Brinkley's 112.4 rushing yards per game. Robinson credits the coaching staff and the entire offensive unit for the improvement from last season.
"There are a couple of things. I think that (offensive coordinator) Mitch (Browning) and his coaches have done a very good job of making this offensive lineman friendly," Robinson said. "And I said it from the very beginning this is Mitch's style. In the running game these guys are growing and growing in the understanding of what they are expected to do and they are getting better and better at it. In the passing game they don't get overexposed and I think that is a good point. It has proven out to be helpful. On top of that the linemen deserve credit for how hard they've worked and their commitment and their development. They are getting better. When you start talking about the running game it goes beyond just the linemen, the tight ends and the wide receivers are involved. There were some remarkable blocks. When I see freshmen, like Marcus Sales, making a real nice block on Curtis (Brinkley's) run, that is progress. A few weeks ago we were talking to Marcus and a couple other younger guys that they have to do a better job in their commitment in blocking. Again, those are the things that take time for young players to get all the information. They get bits and pieces and bits and pieces and pretty soon they start to show a little polish."
Coach Greg Robinson's Press Conference Transcript
Nine Syracuse football players return to their home state this Saturday when the Orange will face Rutgers (12:00 p.m., ESPNU). Senior Paul Chiara, sophomores Mike Mele and Da'Mon Merkerson, redshirt freshmen Chaz Cervino, Ollie Haney and Lamar Middleton and freshmen Jarel Lowrey, Grant Mayes and David Stevens all hail from the Garden State. Head coach Greg Robinson and the Orange are focused on earning their second BIG EAST victory in a row.
“The challenge of winning on the road in the BIG EAST and also the challenge of taking on a team that has a bye before you, is one that we're looking forward to taking on," Robinson said. "Rutgers is a good football team. In their last game against Pitt, who was in first place in the BIG EAST, they scored 54 points, which was quite an effort. We're looking forward to the game. We have a lot of work ahead of us."
Merkerson scored his first touchdown of the season against Louisville, three games after returning to the offensive side of the ball. He has four receptions for 76 yards (19.0 yards per catch).
"He stepped up big and he has gotten into the rhythm of things on the offensive side of that ball and that was really noted," Robinson said. "The bye week was really a plus for him because he was able to get some turns and become more and more comfortable and all of a sudden he was showing up in practice and all of a sudden it showed up in the game."
Merkerson is one of 16 SU players who have caught a pass this season. The Orange passing game is averaging 145.8 yards per game and has accounted for nine touchdowns. The SU run game is averaging 154 .1 yards per contest, led by senior Curtis Brinkley's 112.4 rushing yards per game. Robinson credits the coaching staff and the entire offensive unit for the improvement from last season.
"There are a couple of things. I think that (offensive coordinator) Mitch (Browning) and his coaches have done a very good job of making this offensive lineman friendly," Robinson said. "And I said it from the very beginning this is Mitch's style. In the running game these guys are growing and growing in the understanding of what they are expected to do and they are getting better and better at it. In the passing game they don't get overexposed and I think that is a good point. It has proven out to be helpful. On top of that the linemen deserve credit for how hard they've worked and their commitment and their development. They are getting better. When you start talking about the running game it goes beyond just the linemen, the tight ends and the wide receivers are involved. There were some remarkable blocks. When I see freshmen, like Marcus Sales, making a real nice block on Curtis (Brinkley's) run, that is progress. A few weeks ago we were talking to Marcus and a couple other younger guys that they have to do a better job in their commitment in blocking. Again, those are the things that take time for young players to get all the information. They get bits and pieces and bits and pieces and pretty soon they start to show a little polish."
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