Syracuse Postgame Notes
Syracuse University Football Postgame Notes
Syracuse vs. Minnesota
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, New York
Noon – ESPN2
The 48,617 tickets sold marked the fourth-largest opening day crowd in Carrier Dome history. It is the largest crowd to watch the Orange on a Dome opening day since 49,550 packed to the stadium to see the Orange play Tennessee in 1998.
The 48,617 people in attendance marked the largest crowd since November 18, 2000 against Miami.
First-year head coach Doug Marrone returned to the Carrier Dome after spending 17 years as a graduate assistant, college assistant, director of football operations, NFL assistant and NFL offensive coordinator.
The 20 points scored by the Orange were the most SU has scored in an opener since it won at North Carolina in three overtimes, 49-47, on September 6, 2003.
Senior wide receiver Mike Williams has now caught a touchdown pass in 10 consecutive games. His streak is the longest active streak in the FBS Division. It is also a Syracuse record. He caught a 29-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter.
Williams has 15 career touchdown receptions which is tied for fifth on SU’s career chart. His 21 consecutive games with a reception ranks tied for fourth with Marvin Harrison (1993-94).
Senior running back Delone Carter carried the ball 23 times for 88 yards and a touchdown. It was his first touchdown since he scored four times in a 40-34 win against Wyoming on September 30, 2006.
Junior free safety Mike Holmes registered his third career interception, first of the season, in the second quarter.
Graduate student quarterback Greg Paulus went 19-for-31 for 167 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He completed his first two pass attempts.
His performance was one of the best by a first-year first-game Syracuse signal caller dating back to 1959.
Syracuse First-year First-Game Statistics
2009 Greg Paulus – Minnesota: Att: 31 Comp 19 Int: 1 Pct: 61.3 Yards: 167 TD: 1
2004 Joe Fields – at Purdue: Att: 15 Comp 8 Int: 1 Pct: 53.3 Yards: 93 TD: 0
1999 Troy Nunes (RF) – at Toledo: Att: 13 Comp 9 Int: 0 Pct: 69.2 Yards: 118 TD: 1
1995 Donovan McNabb (RF) – at North Carolina: Att: 16 Comp 10 Int: 0 Pct: 62.5 Yards: 120 TD: 0
1990 Marvin Graves (RF) – USC (at Giants Stadium): Att: 30 Comp 15 Int: 0 Pct: 50.0 Yards: 191 TD: 1
Sophomore running back Michael Jones returned 5 kickoffs for 154 yards in his first game for the Orange. His performance included a 79-yard return in the first quarter.
Freshman kicker Ryan Lichtenstein converted his first field attempt in an Orange uniform, making 23 yard field goal in the first quarter. He also made a 42-yard field goal in the second quarter.
Twenty players made their Orange debuts in the first half, including freshman free safety Rishard Anderson, sophomore defensive end Torrey Ball, freshman linebacker E.J. Carter, freshman center Zach Chibane, sophomore running back Averin Collier, sophomore tight end Carl Cutler, junior linebacker Ryan Gillum, sophomore defensive end Chandler Jones, sophomore running back Michael Jones, freshman wide receiver Alex Lemon, freshman kicker Ryan Lichtenstein, freshman quarterback Ryan Nassib, graduate student quarterback Greg Paulus, freshman defensive end Brandon Sharpe, sophomore offensive tackle Nick Speller, sophomore tight end Thomas Trendowski, junior offensive tackle Andrew Tiller, freshman strong safety Phillip Thomas, freshman cornerback Shamarko Thomas and sophomore linebacker Dan Vaughan.
Senior wide receiver Donte Davis assumed the punt-returning duties for the Orange, registering four returns for 14 yards.
Freshman defensive end Brandon Sharpe recorded his first career sack and forced his first career fumble in the third quarter. Senior linebacker Derrell Smith recovered the fumble, the first of his career.
Junior linebacker Doug Hogue made his first career start at his new position. The former running back registered 4 tackles.
Syracuse is 83-31-4 all-time in home openers, and 14-16 in home openers since the Dome opened in 1980.
The game marked the third meeting between the Orange and the Gophers, with Minnesota now holding a 2-1 advantage (1-1 inside the Carrier Dome).
Syracuse has a 5-5 record in overtime games since the NCAA instituted overtime periods.
