Between The Lines
12/31/2010 11:48:11 AM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
Trivia Question (Pinstripe Bowl Gameday Edition): Who now holds the Syracuse record for most receiving touchdowns in a bowl game?
Immediate Trivia Answer: To no one's current surprise, the answer is Marcus Sales. His three scores, including the touchdown that put the Orange up for good, are the new Syracuse record. And how about Marcus for scoring when it counts this season? Sales found the end zone four times this year, three in the bowl game and the winning touchdown at USF to kick off Big East play.
This week: The Pinstripe Bowl. If you weren't there, watching it on TV, or listening to us on the radio, you missed out. Every bowl season has a handful of high scoring, down-to-the-wire games, and this year the Orange had the pleasure of participating in one. Off the top of my head, this was the most exciting single game Syracuse Football experience since the 50-42 triple OT affair against #8 Virginia Tech in 2002. Apologies if that's not your choice, but considering the stakes, it takes a top 10 win to compare to a Bowl triumph of this caliber.
We, as Syracuse supporters, are all very excited for the progress Doug Marrone has made with the football program in a short time. Doug on the other hand, “I'm excited more for the people that have gone through those tough years at Syracuse. Since 2004 we haven't gone to a bowl and since 2001 we haven't had a winning season. I can't tell you how proud I am of this group of players. I know that the community of Syracuse, the faculty, the alumni, the letter winners, they're proud of their university and I'm excited for them.”
While Coach has been on a steady rise in his two years at Syracuse, the MVP of the Pinstripe Bowl rode a five- year Orange roller coaster. After a fabulous freshman season, a potentially career ending hip injury and a university suspension, Delone Carter finished his career in a way few ever do, with his best game. I last saw Delone Thursday leaving Yankee Stadium with the Inaugural Pinstripe Bowl MVP trophy in his grasp.
“It's just a blessing to achieve that honor, MVP of this Pinstripe Bowl” said the aforementioned MVP. “Everything I've been through, being a part of bringing this thing back to what it used to be, stamping my name on it is a blessing.”
Delone blessed the Orange with a career-best 198 yards and two touchdowns Thursday. And just as a career capper he scampered for a personal best 60 yards on his third to final carry in a Syracuse uniform. That dash, which Delone usefully admired in real time on the massive centerfield video board, set up Ross Krautman's 40-yard field goal which proved necessary in the two point win.
Higgo's Hero: The NYC shoveling army. Wednesday the Yankee Stadium bleachers were filled with snow. Thursday they were not. An army of shovelers, inspired by a quick payday, took to the stands and made a blizzard disappear. Kudos to all involved.
Tales From the Road: The Times Square adjacent BowlMor Lanes was the NYC place to be Wednesday night for the early arriving Syracuse fan. The gathering included a Coach Mac, a Donny Mac, and a variety of other Syracuse supporters. The actual layout of the lanes was one of the more interesting aspects of BowlMor. Instead of the standard bowling alley setup with all lanes lined up in a row, BowlMor's were going every which way throughout the 4 story building. Also, credit to their chefs for turning a normally dry buffet style slider into a delectably moist mini burger. I wouldn't turn down a tray of those pork potstickers if they were to happen around again either.
Upcoming Schedule: I'm sure we'll see you for New Year's Day hoops in the Dome Saturday. First the men vs. Notre Dame at 3:30 and then the ladies take the court against Arkansas Pine Bluff immediately afterwards. One ticket gets you into both. While the men get a well earned week of rest after Saturday, the women still have Big East play to start. What better way to do that than with a big rivalry, the trip to Georgetown happens Tuesday night at 7:00. ESPN 97.7 is your place for all of the women's hoops action, and of course both games are available right here on Orange All Access.
Questions: Tweet your 140 characters my way @BrianHigginsSU. Answers could come straight back on twitter, in an upcoming broadcast or in next week's column, so keep your eyes and ears open.
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