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I can't imagine what #Rob Long# and his family are going through right now. Learning of a hopefully benign brain tumor, having surgery to remove it and then finding out it wasn't benign after all? That's more than anyone should be asked to bear, let alone a great kid with a possible NFL future, in the same month he turns 22.

As the saying goes, "He's tough. He's a hockey player." Rob's first organized athletic endeavors were on the ice. He sort of tripped over football because that's what his friends played and his high school team (Downingtown West, outside Philadelphia) had a need.

I can remember one of the first days Rob was on this campus, banging balls off the ceiling inside Manley Field House. Since, he's been three-time all-Big East, a two-time captain and owns SU's second-best career yards-per-punt average (43.3).

Tonight on the radio broadcast of the basketball game against Philadelphia's Drexel, we'll surely talk about the Philly Orange, #Rick Jackson#, #Scoop Jardine# and #Dion Waiters#. Although Waiters referred to himself as the "Phillie Phanatic, Junior" yesterday, there's nobody that will more deserve to sit in the sun this spring and take in a Fightin' Phils game than Rob Long.

Speaking of Baseball Stadiums: A week from tomorrow, the Orange will end their 46-year absence from the Big Ballpark in the Bronx as both the Yankees and the Cuse are back in the bowl business.

The Orange have a two-game winning streak at Yankee Stadium, most recently knocking off Army 27-15 Nov. 5, 1964. Floyd Little, in the first of his three all-America seasons, ran for a short touchdown pass and threw for another in that game.

"Army had a good football team then. We powered 'em and dominated 'em. We played well and we won," Little said yesterday from Seattle, where he now lives with his wife DeBorah. "We've had some good success at Yankee Stadium. I hope that tradition continues."

Little also played at Yankee Stadium with the Broncos against the Giants. On Nov. 5, 1972 – eight years to the day after playing there for SU – Little rushed for 124 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown.

The recent Pro Football Hall-of-Fame inductee had great success at Shea Stadium too, scoring three touchdowns in a 1965 blowout of Pittsburgh as an Orangeman and beating the Jets twice as a Bronco.

The New Era Pinstripe Bowl kicks off Thursday around 3:20. Tickets are still available if you're in search of a last minute gift.

Matt's Musings:

· There's nothing to be ashamed of in the women's basketball team's struggles against Baylor last night. It's UConn................ Baylor, Duke…. maybe Stanford, Tennesseee and……………….. wait for it………………….. everybody else. #Quentin Hillsman# believes playing those teams helps more than hurts. Expect his team to be competitive in the Big East this year.

· The men's basketball team hasn't trailed at all in any of its past three games. The Orange had a similar three-game stretch last season. This could be their second consecutive clean sheet prior to Big East play.

· Going back to that last Syracuse game at Yankee Stadium, the other Orange touchdown scorers were the late Jim Nance and Wally Mahle. Army's two touchdowns were run in by Don Parcells, younger brother of Bill.

Happy Holidays to all!

This Week's Broadcasts:
Tonight/5:30    TK99                          MBB vs. Drexel
Tonight/8:00    ESPN97.7                 WBB vs. Clemson
Thu./7:00p        TWCS                        Syracuse Sidelines
Thu./7:00p        TK99/ESPN97.7     AmeriCU Jim Boeheim Show live at Delmonico's

I'd be happy to field your questions on anything regarding the Orange. Shoot me an email to the Radio Mailbox.

Syracuse University Athletics

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Rick Jackson

Scoop Jardine

Rob Long

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