Syracuse Football Game Notes
Syracuse vs. Pittsburgh
Carrier Dome/Syracuse, N.Y.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Honorary Captain
Two-time Syracuse football captain Kyle Johnson severed as the honorary captain for the Orange.
Both Ways
Sophomore cornerback Da’Mon Merkerson is the first Syracuse player to play both offense (receiver) and defense (cornerback) in the same game since Diamond Ferri (running back & safety) saw action on both sides of the ball at Boston College during the 2004 season.
Holmes to the House
Sophomore cornerback Mike Holmes returned a kickoff 90 yards (career long) for the first touchdown of his career. The last time Syracuse returned a kickoff for a touchdown was Max Suter (93 yards) last season at Louisville … Holmes returned seven kicks for a Syracuse record 207 yards (second on the BIG EAST single-game list – 208 Najeh Davenport, Miami vs. Syracuse, 11/28/98), breaking Suter’s mark of 198 set last season vs. USF.
Receiver Firsts
Sophomore receiver Donte Davis recorded his first career touchdown on a 27-yard reception on Syracuse’s second possession … Freshman receiver Van Chew collected his first career touchdown on a career-long 36-yard reception on SU’s first possession of the second half.
Monk Receives Courage Award
Orange All-American and Pro Football Hall of Famer Art Monk was presented with the Syracuse Eight Courage Award at halftime.
Orange All-American and Pro Football Hall of Famer Art Monk was presented with the Syracuse Eight Courage Award at halftime.
Running Wild
Senior running back Curtis Brinkley had another big day for the Orange, breaking the 100-yard (119 yards on 16 carries) mark for the third time this season … Brinkley’s 43-yard run in the second quarter was a career long.
Red Zone Perfection
Syracuse was a perfect 1-of-1 in the red zone, bringing its total to a perfect 12-of-12 in the red zone this season.
Career Highs
Senior cornerback Ryan Howard recorded a career-high four tackles … Senior free safety Bruce Williams registered a career-best 10 tackles … Sophomore linebacker Derrell Smith tallied a career-high 10 tackles … Sophomore linebacker Mike Mele notched a career-best 11 tackles and tied his career high with six solo stops … Sophomore cornerback Da’Mon Merkerson had his first tackle-for-loss (two yards) … Junior receiver Lavar Lobdell had a career-long 26-yard reception in the third quarter.
