Orange Readies for BIG EAST Play
10/4/2010 3:37:45 PM | Football
Read the Game Notes
Read Head Coach Doug Marrone's Press Conference Transcript
Second-year head coach Doug Marrone and the Orange have an eight-game stretch against their BIG EAST Conference counterparts beginning Saturday, Oct. 9, at South Florida. Both teams have a 3-1 record entering the game, which will be broadcast on the BIG EAST Network with kickoff set for 12 p.m.
“Going into this week we play South Florida and everyone understands that since South Florida has joined the BIG EAST you can argue that they've dominated us," Marrone said. "They have a new coach in Coach Holtz who is coming off back-to-back Conference USA championships. He knows how to win and how to get the team ready to go. They have an all-star staff, I know most of the coaches on that staff."
Since the BIG EAST football league formed in 1991, the Orange is 10-8 in conference opening games. SU is 7-6 in BIG EAST openers played in the Carrier Dome and 3-2 in road contests. Syracuse won four-straight BIG EAST openers from 1998-2001, its longest winning streak in league starters.
Under the direction of first-year head coach Skip Holtz, USF enters Saturday's contest on a two-game win streak, most recently defeating Florida Atlantic, 31-3. Marrone was impressed with the multi-facetted USF offense, led by junior quarterback B.J. Daniels, as well as the defensive line under the direction of coaches Kevin Patrick and Vernon Hargreaves. The Bulls offense averages 366.8 yards of total offense per game while putting up 32.0 points per game, while the defense has allowed an average of 299.5 yards total offense with 16.8 points per contest.
“It is going to be an extremely difficult task," Marrone said. "People will remember South Florida and remember they had two great defensive ends last year but you look at them this year and they look much better. Technically, they're using their hands, they're relentless to the football. Depending on what we're doing, if we're throwing the football we're going to need to protect and they have pressure in what they do so we're going to have to win those one-on-one battles. In the run game we'll need to make sure we stay on the blocks and keep our feet going in front of them and just cover those players up to give us some opportunities to create some holes."
The Orange heads to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay in search of its first series win against the Bulls. South Florida leads the all-time series, 5-0, including a 2-0 record in home games. USF most recently defeated SU, 34-20, on Oct. 3, 2009 in the Carrier Dome.
Syracuse returns to the Carrier Dome to host Pittsburgh on October 16 for the University's homecoming/reunion weekend known as Orange Central. Tickets are available online and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (888-DOME-TIX). Season tickets start at $100.
