Kevyn Scott intercepted his second pass of the season in overtime against Toledo
Photo by: Charles Wainwright
SU Opens BIG EAST Schedule With Rutgers
9/26/2011 3:29:53 PM | Football
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Read Coach Marrone's Press Conference Transcript
Following its second overtime win of the season last weekend with a 33-30 victory against Toledo, Doug Marrone and the Orange turn their attention to the team's BIG EAST opener on Saturday against Rutgers at the Dome (12:00 p.m., BIG EAST Network).
"We have a team coming in here that's healthy and hungry," Marrone said. "It's our first BIG EAST game, and it's going to take all we have to fight and scratch and try to get a win. They are a very good team coming in here."
Saturday is New York's College Team Day at the Dome, and kids attending the game will receive a custom made ceramic Otto bank compliments of KEY BANK while supplies last.
The Orange enter Saturday's game after a come-from-behind win against the Rockets last Saturday. Ryan Nassib, who was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for the fourth time in as many weeks, was 16-for-24 for 213 yards and two touchdowns. Ross Krautman converted all four of his field goals, passing George Jakowenko for ninth-place on the SU all-time record list with 23 career field goals.
SU owns a 30-10-1 record all-time against the Scarlet Knights, including wins the last two meetings. Rutgers comes into the game after a 38-26 win against Ohio last weekend.
"We've had a lot of challenges this year," Marrone said. "This team has probably faced more adversity through injuries, through games, through things that have happened on the field, than a lot of teams that I've been on to this point. I give these kids credit. They've stuck in there. It tells you a lot about them, and they'll know today when we meet with them. We talked to them a little bit that they're in for a fight, and we fight every week. It's going to be a battle, and there may be some ups and down, but we have to keep pushing through it, and that's how we talked to the kids."
Rutgers is tied for second in the BIG EAST and ranks 21st nationally in scoring defense (16.7 points per game). They've forced 13 turnovers in three games and sit second in the country in turnover margin (+3.33). The Scarlet Knights also lead the conference in sacks per game (4.0). Khaseem George and Jamal Merrell lead the team with 23 tackles and 18 tackles, respectively. Safety Duron Harmon has three of the team's five interceptions.
"I think it will be very tough," Marrone said. "I think they're very good up front, and they're very good at the linebacker level. I think they're powerful, they're strong. I see them being much better than they were a year ago, at least from the front seven. They penetrate, they pressure you, they are in the backfield quite a bit. We'll have to go out there and put a hat on a hat and survive some situations where we might be outnumbered."
On the offensive side of the ball, Rutgers is averaging 36.0 points per game. Receiver Mohamed Sanu is the team's main weapon, leading the BIG EAST and is eighth nationally in receiving yards per game (121.0). Against Ohio, he totaled 16 receptions for 176 yards and two touchdowns.
"He's an excellent player, and they have other players, too," Marrone said. "I've watched them on film. They've made some acrobatic catches. They are very big up front. They're playing some different running backs who were highly recruited and have some burst in them."
The Orange (3-1) open the BIG EAST portion of its schedule this Saturday, October 1 (12:00 p.m., BIG EAST Network). 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 Coach Marrone's Press Conference Transcript
Following its second overtime win of the season last weekend with a 33-30 victory against Toledo, Doug Marrone and the Orange turn their attention to the team's BIG EAST opener on Saturday against Rutgers at the Dome (12:00 p.m., BIG EAST Network).
"We have a team coming in here that's healthy and hungry," Marrone said. "It's our first BIG EAST game, and it's going to take all we have to fight and scratch and try to get a win. They are a very good team coming in here."
Saturday is New York's College Team Day at the Dome, and kids attending the game will receive a custom made ceramic Otto bank compliments of KEY BANK while supplies last.
The Orange enter Saturday's game after a come-from-behind win against the Rockets last Saturday. Ryan Nassib, who was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for the fourth time in as many weeks, was 16-for-24 for 213 yards and two touchdowns. Ross Krautman converted all four of his field goals, passing George Jakowenko for ninth-place on the SU all-time record list with 23 career field goals.
SU owns a 30-10-1 record all-time against the Scarlet Knights, including wins the last two meetings. Rutgers comes into the game after a 38-26 win against Ohio last weekend.
"We've had a lot of challenges this year," Marrone said. "This team has probably faced more adversity through injuries, through games, through things that have happened on the field, than a lot of teams that I've been on to this point. I give these kids credit. They've stuck in there. It tells you a lot about them, and they'll know today when we meet with them. We talked to them a little bit that they're in for a fight, and we fight every week. It's going to be a battle, and there may be some ups and down, but we have to keep pushing through it, and that's how we talked to the kids."
Rutgers is tied for second in the BIG EAST and ranks 21st nationally in scoring defense (16.7 points per game). They've forced 13 turnovers in three games and sit second in the country in turnover margin (+3.33). The Scarlet Knights also lead the conference in sacks per game (4.0). Khaseem George and Jamal Merrell lead the team with 23 tackles and 18 tackles, respectively. Safety Duron Harmon has three of the team's five interceptions.
"I think it will be very tough," Marrone said. "I think they're very good up front, and they're very good at the linebacker level. I think they're powerful, they're strong. I see them being much better than they were a year ago, at least from the front seven. They penetrate, they pressure you, they are in the backfield quite a bit. We'll have to go out there and put a hat on a hat and survive some situations where we might be outnumbered."
On the offensive side of the ball, Rutgers is averaging 36.0 points per game. Receiver Mohamed Sanu is the team's main weapon, leading the BIG EAST and is eighth nationally in receiving yards per game (121.0). Against Ohio, he totaled 16 receptions for 176 yards and two touchdowns.
"He's an excellent player, and they have other players, too," Marrone said. "I've watched them on film. They've made some acrobatic catches. They are very big up front. They're playing some different running backs who were highly recruited and have some burst in them."
The Orange (3-1) open the BIG EAST portion of its schedule this Saturday, October 1 (12:00 p.m., BIG EAST Network). 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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