The Orange return to the Dome to face USF on Friday (8:00 p.m., ESPN2) during Homecoming Weekend
Photo by: Charles Wainwright
SU Begins Fourth Quarter Friday vs. USF
11/7/2011 4:01:18 PM | Football
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Read Coach Marrone's Press Conference Transcript
Following back-to-back losses on the road, head coach Doug Marrone and the Orange will look to begin the fourth quarter of the 2011 football season with a win against South Florida on Friday night at the Dome (8:00 p.m., ESPN2).
"For me, it's going back to fundamentals and basics," Marrone said. "Then you have to go out there and perform. You don't want to over-scheme and put new things in every week because then it becomes very difficult. You might be able to do that in a place where the players don't have to go to school or have more time, but that's not how we do it here at Syracuse."
Marrone hopes that the Orange will regain consistency that helped Syracuse to its five wins earlier in the season, including a 4-1 mark at home.
"The foundation that we're trying to create is consistency," Marrone said. "Have we gotten better in a lot of things? After the season, statistically, I'm sure we'll see we have. But are there going to be areas of concern where we need to improve? Absolutely. And we'll go after that then. But we have three games left right now in this last quarter, and we have to get those answers quickly. And that's what we're trying to do.”
Syracuse will have a chance to become bowl-eligible for the second year in a row with a win on Friday. The Orange is 5-4 and needs one victory in its last three games to secure a spot in the postseason. Marrone, however, is only focused on the Bulls.
"Right now, our focus is going out and winning a game," Marrone said. "I think that's all that has to be said. I think everyone understands what's going on outside if we win this game and where we go. But we're just trying to win this game. Now, do we want to go and win all three of them? Absolutely. But you can't win all three of them until you win one. And it's also a short week. So we really can't be focusing on anything besides what we're asking the players to do this week.”
USF is led by quarterback B.J. Daniels, who is 15th nationally in total offense (308.4 yards per game). Daniels is second on the team with 55 rushing yards per game and has thrown for 2,027 more with 12 touchdowns.
“I think he's an excellent player, and offensively, they're in the top 20 and having great success in what they're doing both running and throwing the football," Marrone said. "He's a very experienced quarterback and he can run and throw and do a lot of different things. They have a lot of great skill players, a lot of great athletes out on the field. And it's just one of those things where, in any situation, whether it's college or the NFL, you have to keep those players and playmakers off balance."
Tickets are available for the game online, at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B) and by phone (888-DOMETIX). The game is the centerpiece of Orange Central Weekend and serves as SU's Homecoming game. Last year's Homecoming Court will be recognized and the king and queen will be announced prior to kickoff.
At halftime, there will be a special tribute to legendary Raiders owner and 1950 Syracuse University graduate Al Davis. Davis passed away at his home on Oct. 8 after 48 years with the Raiders as a coach, general manager and owner.
Read Coach Marrone's Press Conference Transcript
Following back-to-back losses on the road, head coach Doug Marrone and the Orange will look to begin the fourth quarter of the 2011 football season with a win against South Florida on Friday night at the Dome (8:00 p.m., ESPN2).
"For me, it's going back to fundamentals and basics," Marrone said. "Then you have to go out there and perform. You don't want to over-scheme and put new things in every week because then it becomes very difficult. You might be able to do that in a place where the players don't have to go to school or have more time, but that's not how we do it here at Syracuse."
Marrone hopes that the Orange will regain consistency that helped Syracuse to its five wins earlier in the season, including a 4-1 mark at home.
"The foundation that we're trying to create is consistency," Marrone said. "Have we gotten better in a lot of things? After the season, statistically, I'm sure we'll see we have. But are there going to be areas of concern where we need to improve? Absolutely. And we'll go after that then. But we have three games left right now in this last quarter, and we have to get those answers quickly. And that's what we're trying to do.”
Syracuse will have a chance to become bowl-eligible for the second year in a row with a win on Friday. The Orange is 5-4 and needs one victory in its last three games to secure a spot in the postseason. Marrone, however, is only focused on the Bulls.
"Right now, our focus is going out and winning a game," Marrone said. "I think that's all that has to be said. I think everyone understands what's going on outside if we win this game and where we go. But we're just trying to win this game. Now, do we want to go and win all three of them? Absolutely. But you can't win all three of them until you win one. And it's also a short week. So we really can't be focusing on anything besides what we're asking the players to do this week.”
USF is led by quarterback B.J. Daniels, who is 15th nationally in total offense (308.4 yards per game). Daniels is second on the team with 55 rushing yards per game and has thrown for 2,027 more with 12 touchdowns.
“I think he's an excellent player, and offensively, they're in the top 20 and having great success in what they're doing both running and throwing the football," Marrone said. "He's a very experienced quarterback and he can run and throw and do a lot of different things. They have a lot of great skill players, a lot of great athletes out on the field. And it's just one of those things where, in any situation, whether it's college or the NFL, you have to keep those players and playmakers off balance."
Tickets are available for the game online, at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B) and by phone (888-DOMETIX). The game is the centerpiece of Orange Central Weekend and serves as SU's Homecoming game. Last year's Homecoming Court will be recognized and the king and queen will be announced prior to kickoff.
At halftime, there will be a special tribute to legendary Raiders owner and 1950 Syracuse University graduate Al Davis. Davis passed away at his home on Oct. 8 after 48 years with the Raiders as a coach, general manager and owner.
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