JoltinJacket
The Resident Stat Machine
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per ESPN.com.....
Syracuse Orangemen
2001 overall record: 10-3
Conference record: 6-1
Returning starters
Offense: 2
Defense: 6
Specialists: 2
2001 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: James Mungro (1,170 yds)
Passing: R.J. Anderson* (1,123 yds)
Receiving: Johnnie Morant* (409 yds)
Tackles: Quentin Harris (124)
Sacks: Dwight Freeney (17.5)
Interceptions: Quentin Harris and Latroy Oliver* (4 each)
What's new
Syracuse and coach Paul
Pasqualoni have some rebuilding to do.
When only two starters return on offense, it is generally safe to assume it may take a few games for the unit to get in sync. Blocking may be of specific concern early on, as the Orangemen lost four starting linemen in addition to their tight end and fullback. Only center Nick Romeo returns on the line, and the candidates for the other four spots have a total of two career starts between them.
Battling it out
It goes without saying that there are some huge shoes to fill at the right defensive end position formerly held by Dwight Freeney. Julian Pollard and Ryan LaCasse are vying for that opportunity. Pollard (6-5, 250) is more of a prototypical end and one of only two true freshmen to see action for Syracuse last year. He actually attended the same high school as Freeney in Bloomfield, Conn. LaCasse is more of a speed rusher like Freeney -- a bit undersized for an end (6-3, 233) -- but was one of the top 100-meter sprinters in New England while in high school.
Eye catcher: FB Chris Davis
Kyle Johnson has been synonymous with fullback at Syracuse for most of the last six years, but it is now time to pass the baton to Davis. He saw some action behind Johnson last season and proved to be a good runner in short-yardage situations with three TD rushes. This spring, he has shown that he is also a devastating blocker and has given all indications that he can be a solid performer this fall.
Budding star: LB Jameel Dumas
Dumas holds down the fort at strong side linebacker despite weighing just 210 pounds. He has excellent speed for his position and far surpasses his size with his ability to hit. Last season, he tied for fourth on the team with 63 tackles, including four for loss. And with the presence of Clifton Smith in the middle of the field, Dumas should continue to put up such big totals in 2002.
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07-20-2002 06:35 PM |
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WazzuCoug82
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It's going to be the same story with Syracuse. They are going to struggle and then turn it on towards the end of the season. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" />
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07-28-2002 11:19 AM |
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