Syracuse Game Notes
2005 Syracuse Football
Syracuse vs. West Virginia
September 4, 2005
Carrier Dome- Syracuse, N.Y.
Syracuse Notes
Anthony Smith and Brendan Carney were named game captains joining captains Steve Franklin and James Wyche.
Kareem Jones returned his first career kickoff return for a gain of 19-yards to open the Orange’s first drive of the season.
Brendan Carney’s first punt of the season was a 58-yarder into the Mountaineers’ endzone for a touchback. Carney punted 11 times in the game for a single-game career-high 481 yards.
Tim Lane caught his first career pass from Perry Patterson for a gain of five yards in the first quarter.
For the first time in Anthony Smith’s career he forced and recovered a fumble in one game. Both plays came in the opening quarter of play. Smith had two fumble recoveries on the day. That’s the first time since Kellen Pruit recovered two against Miami in 2003. Tanard Jackson recovered Smith’s forced fumble, while James Wyche forced his recovered fumble.
Damien Rhodes caught a career-high seven receptions for a total of 21 yards. His previous career-best were a pair of three reception games in 2004 versus Cincinnati and West Virginia.
J.J. Bedle returned his first career punt return for a gain of 20 yards early in the second quarter leading to a Damien Rhodes touchdown.
Damien Rhodes scored the Orange’s first touchdown of the season on a five-yard scoring run.
Ricky Krautman converted his first PAT of his career. He had one previous attempt, however did not convert until today.
Kader Drame forced the first fumble of his career in the second quarter. Tommy Harris recovered the fumble, the second recovery of his career.
Syracuse community volunteers, including SU student-athletes from the women's rowing, men's and women's swimming and diving, and men's and women's track and field teams, collected more than $57,000 for the American Red Cross relief effort for those affected by Hurricane Katrina. The collection was held outside the Carrier Dome and at the Carrier Dome gates.
The 45,418 fans on hand for the game was the highest attendance total for a home opener since 1999 when 45,563 were in attendance to watch the Orange take on Central Michigan.
Redshirt Freshman Kareem Jones opened his career with 14 yards rushing on three carries. He also had one reception for two yards.
West Virginia’s five turnovers are the most the Orange has forced since last season against Connecticut (w int/3 fumbles). The Orange forced four fumbles and had one interception on the day.
Dowayne Davis’ set career-high in solo tackles (four) assisted tackles (three) and total tackles (seven).
