Jeremiah Kobena amassed 176 yards on four kick returns at Tulane, which is fifth-most in SU single game history
Photo by: Charles Wainwright
Battle for Schwartzwalder Trophy is Friday
10/17/2011 4:48:33 PM | Football
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Read The Game Notes | Read Coach Marrone's Press Conference Transcript
With six games remaining in the regular season, the Syracuse football team (4-2) returns to the Carrier Dome to battle rival West Virginia on Friday night (8:00 p.m., ESPN) for the right to keep the Schwartzwalder Trophy.
"It's very important," Marrone said. "Coach Schwartzwalder is a great representative of both institutions. We feel fortunate to have him here as a coach and the job that he did here, and I'm sure that West Virginia is proud that he was born and raised in and played football at West Virginia."
The winner will receive the Ben Schwartzwalder Trophy, which has been presented to the victor in the annual series each year since 1993. The Orange brought the trophy back to Syracuse last season after a 19-14 victory in Morgantown.
"Being a Friday night game on ESPN, which is probably our equivalent of Monday Night Football because most other teams are in hotels and if they're done with their meetings, they'll probably put the game on and watch it, so it's probably the most watched game amongst peers than any other game," said third-year head coach Doug Marrone
At halftime on Friday, SU will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ernie Davis winning the Heisman Trophy. Davis made history in 1961 when he became the first African-American to receive the award. A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Davis played for the Orange from 1959-61. He was a first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns, but died tragically of leukemia before ever playing a down in the NFL.
Both teams are coming off byes last week, with West Virginia entering the game with a 5-1 mark and ranked 11/14 in the nation.
"Obviously we have a great challenge, playing probably the best team since I've been here," Marrone said. "When you look at their offense that's eleventh in the country and their defense that's sixteenth in the country, they pose a great challenge to our football team. We're looking forward to going out there on Friday night and doing our best."
The Mountaineers are led by quarterback Geno Smith, who has passed for 2,159 yards and 16 touchdowns against just three interceptions. He's averaging 359.8 yards passing per game and ranks sixth nationally in total offense (357.7 ypg).
"I think he's done a much better job, from what I've seen, of being able to find receivers and know where he's going," Marrone said. "They've done a much better job in their play action packages. They still have the ability to run the ball. They're very dangerous there. But for any quarterback, not just Geno Smith, if you can get them off rhythm or make them go to the second or third throw, you give yourself a chance. But if they get into a rhythm, especially this offense, they're very dangerous. That's why they're offense is ranked eleventh in the country."
Defensively, West Virginia has six players with at least 30 tackles. Najee Goode (41 tackles) and Pat Miller (41 tackles, 30 solo) lead the way. The Mountaineers are tops in the conference in pass defense (181.3 ypg) and total defense (301.2 ypg). Terence Garvin and Bruce Irvin each have 2.5 sacks and Irvin leads the front seven with 7.0 tackles for loss. Garvin is tied with Keith Tandy for the team lead with two interceptions.
"They have very aggressive players," Marrone said. "They're very good and solid up front. They have a good mixture of coverage and pressure. They know exactly what they're doing and what's going on. So I don't know if I can say it's a different team, but they're still an explosive team.
Tickets are available for the game online, at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B) and by phone (888-DOMETIX). The Time Warner Triple Play Pack, which includes one ticket to any of three home games of choice, starts at $72, while group sales discounts groups of 20 or more to any home game. Group sales are available by calling 315-443-3212 or emailing grpsales@syr.edu.
Read The Game Notes | Read Coach Marrone's Press Conference Transcript
With six games remaining in the regular season, the Syracuse football team (4-2) returns to the Carrier Dome to battle rival West Virginia on Friday night (8:00 p.m., ESPN) for the right to keep the Schwartzwalder Trophy.
"It's very important," Marrone said. "Coach Schwartzwalder is a great representative of both institutions. We feel fortunate to have him here as a coach and the job that he did here, and I'm sure that West Virginia is proud that he was born and raised in and played football at West Virginia."
The winner will receive the Ben Schwartzwalder Trophy, which has been presented to the victor in the annual series each year since 1993. The Orange brought the trophy back to Syracuse last season after a 19-14 victory in Morgantown.
"Being a Friday night game on ESPN, which is probably our equivalent of Monday Night Football because most other teams are in hotels and if they're done with their meetings, they'll probably put the game on and watch it, so it's probably the most watched game amongst peers than any other game," said third-year head coach Doug Marrone
At halftime on Friday, SU will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ernie Davis winning the Heisman Trophy. Davis made history in 1961 when he became the first African-American to receive the award. A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Davis played for the Orange from 1959-61. He was a first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns, but died tragically of leukemia before ever playing a down in the NFL.
Both teams are coming off byes last week, with West Virginia entering the game with a 5-1 mark and ranked 11/14 in the nation.
"Obviously we have a great challenge, playing probably the best team since I've been here," Marrone said. "When you look at their offense that's eleventh in the country and their defense that's sixteenth in the country, they pose a great challenge to our football team. We're looking forward to going out there on Friday night and doing our best."
The Mountaineers are led by quarterback Geno Smith, who has passed for 2,159 yards and 16 touchdowns against just three interceptions. He's averaging 359.8 yards passing per game and ranks sixth nationally in total offense (357.7 ypg).
"I think he's done a much better job, from what I've seen, of being able to find receivers and know where he's going," Marrone said. "They've done a much better job in their play action packages. They still have the ability to run the ball. They're very dangerous there. But for any quarterback, not just Geno Smith, if you can get them off rhythm or make them go to the second or third throw, you give yourself a chance. But if they get into a rhythm, especially this offense, they're very dangerous. That's why they're offense is ranked eleventh in the country."
Defensively, West Virginia has six players with at least 30 tackles. Najee Goode (41 tackles) and Pat Miller (41 tackles, 30 solo) lead the way. The Mountaineers are tops in the conference in pass defense (181.3 ypg) and total defense (301.2 ypg). Terence Garvin and Bruce Irvin each have 2.5 sacks and Irvin leads the front seven with 7.0 tackles for loss. Garvin is tied with Keith Tandy for the team lead with two interceptions.
"They have very aggressive players," Marrone said. "They're very good and solid up front. They have a good mixture of coverage and pressure. They know exactly what they're doing and what's going on. So I don't know if I can say it's a different team, but they're still an explosive team.
Tickets are available for the game online, at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B) and by phone (888-DOMETIX). The Time Warner Triple Play Pack, which includes one ticket to any of three home games of choice, starts at $72, while group sales discounts groups of 20 or more to any home game. Group sales are available by calling 315-443-3212 or emailing grpsales@syr.edu.
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