The 2010 Orange football senior class led the squad to the New Era Pinstripe Bowl title.
Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski
Class of 2010 Honored for Excellence
4/15/2011 10:58:11 PM | Football
The Syracuse football honored 24 members of its senior class at the annual awards banquet. The 2010 senior class includes team captains Ryan Bartholomew, Rob Long and Derrell Smith, in addition to Ryan Ahern, Chad Battles, Cody Catalina, Delone Carter, Jose Cruz, Ryan Gillum, Doug Hogue, Mike Holmes, Jared Kimmel, Max Leo, Andrew Lewis, George Mayes, Da'Mon Merkerson, Roberto Nieves, Anthony Perkins, Adam Rosner, Max Suter, Bud Tribbey and Aaron Weaver and senior managers Derek Katz and Jeremiah Standifer.
“When people go back and look at Syracuse history, they'll ask what these teams accomplish and this team, someone will point them out,” said head coach Doug Marrone. “It's always important to be the start of something. They have given us the ability to start something. It's special. Their accomplishments will now become an expectation for the future of this program. The reason why we have those high expectations is because of this senior class.”
Ten individuals were honored with team awards for their contributions to the 2010 team and the Orange football program.
The Bill Horr Award for Most Valuable Player was awarded to Smith and Hogue. A 2010 team captain, Smith earned 2010 All-BIG EAST Second Team and the 2010 ESPN Academic All-District Team honors. He led the team in tackles with 114, including 72 solo, and had three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries last season. His eight career forced fumbles ties for second on the Syracuse record list, while his 24.5 career tackles for loss ranks 10th. He was tied for 19th nationally and ranked fifth in the BIG EAST with 8.58 tackles per game.
Hogue was a 2010 All-BIG EAST and ECAC First Team selection. He led the team with 10.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions and was second with 95 tackles. He earned the National Defensive Player of the Week Award from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and the BIG EAST Conference Defensive Player of the Week award after recording 10 tackles, including 1.5 for a loss of yards, and making two interceptions in SU's victory at West Virginia. His 26.5 career tackles for loss ranks ninth in Syracuse history.
A two-time captain, Long won the Ray Martino Award for loyalty, enthusiasm and perseverance. Long played in 48 games for the Orange and averaged 43.3 yards per punt, which ranked ninth nationally among active punters in the FBS and is second in the Syracuse record book. The Downingtown, Pa. native earned All-BIG EAST Second team honors in 2007 and 2010 and was an All-BIG EAST First Team selection in 2009 when he was a Ray Guy Award semifinalist.
A starter at defensive end, Chandler Jones earned the Tim Green Award for outstanding defensive lineman. A member of the All-BIG EAST Second Team in 2010, Jones led the defense with four sacks and had 9.5 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, four pass breakups and five quarterback hurries. He registered 57 tackles, including 38 solo, and has played in all 25 games in his career with the Orange.
A three-year starter on the offensive line and a 2010 team captain, Bartholomew won the Pat Miller Award, which is given to an outstanding athlete, student and citizen. A participant in the East-West Shrine Game, Bartholomew was an anchor for an offensive line that blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher in 2009 and 2010. He earned 2009 All-BIG EAST Second Team honors and was named to the 2010 BIG EAST All-Academic Team.
The Duffy Daughtery Player's Player, Coaches Player Award was presented to Suter, who played in 44 career games at safety and as a kick returner, and ranks second on SU's career kickoff return yards record list (1,846). He earned BIG EAST Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance at South Florida this season after posting eight tackles, including six solo, one sack and two for a loss of yards, and a forced fumble. A 2007 All-BIG EAST First Team selection, he set SU, NCAA and BIG EAST records with 1,299 kick return yards in 2007. The Ruffs Dale, Pa. native intercepted a pass to set up the game-winning field goal against Northwestern in 2009.
A three-year letter winner at SU, Leo earned the Joe Szombathy Special Teams Award. He made the team as a walk-on and played in 36 games as the long snapper. A native of Clay, N.Y., Leo is a four-time member on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll.
Fullback Adam Harris earned the Joe Alexander Award for excellence in football, scholarship and citizen. A 2010 ESPN Academic All-District selection, Harris played in 12 games, including 10 starts, in 2010. He had eight carries and four receptions, and was a 2009 and 2010 BIG EAST All-Academic Team selection .
A starter at cornerback and safety during his Syracuse career, Holmes earned the Ben Schwartzwalter Exemplary Football Player Award. Holmes played in all 49 games in his career. In 2007, he earned Rivals.com BIG EAST All-Freshman Team honors. Against Pittsburgh in 2008, he set a Syracuse record with 207 kick return yards, including a return for a touchdown. He also scored on a blocked punt return in 2010 at Akron. He currently ranks fifth on Syracuse's career record list for tackles by a defensive back (271 total).
The third-leading rusher in Syracuse history, Carter earned the Mark Hoffman Award for most outstanding back. The Copley, Ohio. native joined Larry Csonka, Joe Morris and Walter Reyes as just the fourth SU running back to post 1,000-yard rushing seasons in consecutive years, accomplishing the feat in 2009 and 2010. A 2010 All-BIG EAST Second Team selection, Carter earned the 2011 East-West Shrine Game Most Valuable Player award. He finished his career tied for seventh on SU's rushing touchdowns record list (24). His 76.6 yards per game career average ranks seventh in SU history.
The Coach “Mac” Award was presented to Merkerson for intensity, focus, effort and attitude. He played both cornerback and wide receiver for four years. As a defender, he posted 59 tackles, including 38 solo, and had 14 receptions for 196 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver. Merkerson led the team with six pass breakups and recorded two interceptions in 2010.
Cruz earned the Thomas S. Pirro Award, which is presented to a football-student athlete who demonstrates great character and coach-ability. One of 13 players to start every game, he earned a letter in his only season at Syracuse after transferring from Hofstra when its football program was discontinued. The Johnstown, Pa. native recorded 13 receptions for 78 yards and one touchdown in 2010.
The 2011 Orange will play the annual Spring game on Saturday, April 16 at the Carrier Dome. Gates open at 11:00 a.m. and the game begins at 1:00 p.m. The Dome gates open at 11:00 a.m. for the 'Select-A-Seat' program while the team takes the field for pre-game warm-ups. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. Following the game all fans are invited to participate in an autograph session on the field.
Tickets for the 2011 season are available online (click here) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (888-DOMETIX).
“When people go back and look at Syracuse history, they'll ask what these teams accomplish and this team, someone will point them out,” said head coach Doug Marrone. “It's always important to be the start of something. They have given us the ability to start something. It's special. Their accomplishments will now become an expectation for the future of this program. The reason why we have those high expectations is because of this senior class.”
Ten individuals were honored with team awards for their contributions to the 2010 team and the Orange football program.
The Bill Horr Award for Most Valuable Player was awarded to Smith and Hogue. A 2010 team captain, Smith earned 2010 All-BIG EAST Second Team and the 2010 ESPN Academic All-District Team honors. He led the team in tackles with 114, including 72 solo, and had three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries last season. His eight career forced fumbles ties for second on the Syracuse record list, while his 24.5 career tackles for loss ranks 10th. He was tied for 19th nationally and ranked fifth in the BIG EAST with 8.58 tackles per game.
Hogue was a 2010 All-BIG EAST and ECAC First Team selection. He led the team with 10.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions and was second with 95 tackles. He earned the National Defensive Player of the Week Award from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and the BIG EAST Conference Defensive Player of the Week award after recording 10 tackles, including 1.5 for a loss of yards, and making two interceptions in SU's victory at West Virginia. His 26.5 career tackles for loss ranks ninth in Syracuse history.
A two-time captain, Long won the Ray Martino Award for loyalty, enthusiasm and perseverance. Long played in 48 games for the Orange and averaged 43.3 yards per punt, which ranked ninth nationally among active punters in the FBS and is second in the Syracuse record book. The Downingtown, Pa. native earned All-BIG EAST Second team honors in 2007 and 2010 and was an All-BIG EAST First Team selection in 2009 when he was a Ray Guy Award semifinalist.
A starter at defensive end, Chandler Jones earned the Tim Green Award for outstanding defensive lineman. A member of the All-BIG EAST Second Team in 2010, Jones led the defense with four sacks and had 9.5 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, four pass breakups and five quarterback hurries. He registered 57 tackles, including 38 solo, and has played in all 25 games in his career with the Orange.
A three-year starter on the offensive line and a 2010 team captain, Bartholomew won the Pat Miller Award, which is given to an outstanding athlete, student and citizen. A participant in the East-West Shrine Game, Bartholomew was an anchor for an offensive line that blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher in 2009 and 2010. He earned 2009 All-BIG EAST Second Team honors and was named to the 2010 BIG EAST All-Academic Team.
The Duffy Daughtery Player's Player, Coaches Player Award was presented to Suter, who played in 44 career games at safety and as a kick returner, and ranks second on SU's career kickoff return yards record list (1,846). He earned BIG EAST Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance at South Florida this season after posting eight tackles, including six solo, one sack and two for a loss of yards, and a forced fumble. A 2007 All-BIG EAST First Team selection, he set SU, NCAA and BIG EAST records with 1,299 kick return yards in 2007. The Ruffs Dale, Pa. native intercepted a pass to set up the game-winning field goal against Northwestern in 2009.
A three-year letter winner at SU, Leo earned the Joe Szombathy Special Teams Award. He made the team as a walk-on and played in 36 games as the long snapper. A native of Clay, N.Y., Leo is a four-time member on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll.
Fullback Adam Harris earned the Joe Alexander Award for excellence in football, scholarship and citizen. A 2010 ESPN Academic All-District selection, Harris played in 12 games, including 10 starts, in 2010. He had eight carries and four receptions, and was a 2009 and 2010 BIG EAST All-Academic Team selection .
A starter at cornerback and safety during his Syracuse career, Holmes earned the Ben Schwartzwalter Exemplary Football Player Award. Holmes played in all 49 games in his career. In 2007, he earned Rivals.com BIG EAST All-Freshman Team honors. Against Pittsburgh in 2008, he set a Syracuse record with 207 kick return yards, including a return for a touchdown. He also scored on a blocked punt return in 2010 at Akron. He currently ranks fifth on Syracuse's career record list for tackles by a defensive back (271 total).
The third-leading rusher in Syracuse history, Carter earned the Mark Hoffman Award for most outstanding back. The Copley, Ohio. native joined Larry Csonka, Joe Morris and Walter Reyes as just the fourth SU running back to post 1,000-yard rushing seasons in consecutive years, accomplishing the feat in 2009 and 2010. A 2010 All-BIG EAST Second Team selection, Carter earned the 2011 East-West Shrine Game Most Valuable Player award. He finished his career tied for seventh on SU's rushing touchdowns record list (24). His 76.6 yards per game career average ranks seventh in SU history.
The Coach “Mac” Award was presented to Merkerson for intensity, focus, effort and attitude. He played both cornerback and wide receiver for four years. As a defender, he posted 59 tackles, including 38 solo, and had 14 receptions for 196 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver. Merkerson led the team with six pass breakups and recorded two interceptions in 2010.
Cruz earned the Thomas S. Pirro Award, which is presented to a football-student athlete who demonstrates great character and coach-ability. One of 13 players to start every game, he earned a letter in his only season at Syracuse after transferring from Hofstra when its football program was discontinued. The Johnstown, Pa. native recorded 13 receptions for 78 yards and one touchdown in 2010.
The 2011 Orange will play the annual Spring game on Saturday, April 16 at the Carrier Dome. Gates open at 11:00 a.m. and the game begins at 1:00 p.m. The Dome gates open at 11:00 a.m. for the 'Select-A-Seat' program while the team takes the field for pre-game warm-ups. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. Following the game all fans are invited to participate in an autograph session on the field.
Tickets for the 2011 season are available online (click here) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (888-DOMETIX).
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