Syracuse University
TEMPLE
Anderson and Riddle Lead SU Past Temple, 45-3
10/20/2001 2:11:50 PM | Football
Syracuse Game Notes
Syracuse Post-Game Quotes
Temple Post-Game Quotes
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Sophomore R.J. Anderson threw for a career-high 308 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Syracuse football team to a 45-3 victory versus the Temple Owls on Saturday, Oct. 20 in front of 42,115 fans at the Carrier Dome.
The Orangemen are now 6-2 overall and 3-0 in the BIG EAST. Temple now sits at 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the conference.
Syracuse lived up to its moniker, donning an all orange uniform for the first time since 1951. It was the first time the team wore orange jerseys since 1976.
Anderson became the first SU quarterback to throw for more than 300 yards since Donovan McNabb versus Tennessee in 1998.
Sophomore wide receiver Jamel Riddle also had a career day for the Orange. Riddle set five career highs in the contest, including receptions (four), yards (120), longest reception (48 yards) and longest punt return (53 yards). Riddle also added a four-yard touchdown run on his first career carry.
The special teams set up SU's first two touchdowns in the first quarter. Senior Andre Brinson made the first big play of the day, blocking a punt on Temple's first possession to give Syracuse a first down at the Temple 20-yard line. Three plays later Anderson kept the ball on an option and went into the endzone from six yards out to give the Orange a 7-0 lead.
The Orangemen defense forced Temple into a three-and-out possession, and Riddle took the ensuing punt back a career-best 53 yards to the Temple 15-yard line. Junior Chris Davis finished the three-play drive with a one-yard plunge for his third touchdown on only his seventh carry of the season.
The defense again held the Owls without a first down. On the next possession, Anderson launched a 55-yard scoring strike to sophomore Johnnie Morant. Morant and Anderson have now hooked up for three passes of more than 50 yards this season. They had a 74-yard touchdown versus Tennessee and a 53-yard pass versus Pittsburgh. Morant finished the afternoon with three catches for 77 yards.
Collin Barber's 37-yard field goal was the only scoring in the second quarter as the Orangemen took a 24-0 lead into halftime. The big play on the SU scoring drive was a 53-yard completion from Anderson to Riddle. In addition to the field goal, Barber was also 6-for-6 on extra points for the second straight week.
The Orangemen defense continued to control the game, allowing only 63 yards of offense on 30 plays in the first half. Temple managed just four first downs in the half. It was the first time Syracuse shutout an opponent in the first half since the Cincinnati game in 2000.
Senior Dwight Freeney unofficially collected 2.5 sacks in the second quarter, giving him 30 for his career. That total ranks fourth on the BIG EAST all-time sacks ledger.
The Owls' lone points of the game came on a 42-yard field goal by Cap Poklemba in the third quarter. The score was set up when the Orangemen fumbled on the third play of the half, giving Temple the ball on the SU 44-yard line.
Riddle got the Orange on the board in the third quarter with his four-yard touchdown, giving Syracuse a 31-3 lead. The play, an option around the left side, capped a 13-play, 72-yard drive that featured 59 rushing yards.
Syracuse scored its second touchdown of the quarter on its next possession when James Mungro scored from two yards out to give the Orangemen a 38-3 lead. The score was Mungro's 23rd career rushing touchdown, tying him with Jim Brown for fifth place on the SU career rushing touchdowns list.
The final Syracuse points came in the fourth quarter when Anderson found Graham Manley for a 12-yard scoring pass. Anderson rolled right and threw back to the left to a wide-open Manley. It was the senior co-captain's first career touchdown catch.
Sophomore running back Diamond Ferri led the Syracuse rushing attack with a career-high 60 yards on 10 carries. Mungro chipped in 39 yards on 15 carries.
The SU defense allowed a season-low 185 yards of total offense. The defense's previous best was 272 yards versus Pittsburgh. SU also allowed season lows in rushing yardage (74) and passing yardage (111).
The Orangemen will put their six-game winning streak on the line next Saturday when they travel to No. 6/4 Virginia Tech. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. and will be televised by ESPN Regional Television.
