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Syracuse University
Illinois
Syracuse Defeats Illinois, 31-21
9/16/2006 4:41:02 PM | Football
Game Notes
Post-Game Quotes
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Syracuse returned two fumbles for touchdowns and quarterback Perry Patterson matched a career high with two touchdown passes to lead the Orange to a 31-21 victory.
The Orange opened the scoring on its third offensive drive. Syracuse faced a third-and-five in Illinois’ territory when Patterson rushed for six yards before being drilled and fumbling the football. Wide receiver Taj Smith picked up the ball and advanced it 41 yards for the first touchdown of the game. It was the first time that a Syracuse player returned a fumble for a touchdown since 2003 when Steve Gregory scored on a seven-yard return against Pittsburgh.
Illinois scored on its next drive, a 15-play, 76-yard march. Illini quarterback Tim Brasic rushed for a five-yard touchdown to tie the game at seven.
Syracuse quickly reclaimed the lead when Patterson connected with Smith for a 65-yard touchdown pass. The catch was the longest of Smith’s career and it was the longest touchdown pass by Syracuse since Patterson connected with Damien Rhodes for 68 yards against Cincinnati in 2004.
Illinois drove down to Syracuse’s 30-yard line on the following drive, but four penalties forced its offense into a third-and-long. Safety A.J. Brown intercepted Brasic’s pass, recording a pick in his second-straight game. The Orange entered halftime with a 14-7 lead.
Syracuse capitalized on another Illinois mistake to open the third quarter. On Illinois’ second offensive play, defensive end Jameel McClain forced a fumble and linebacker Jerry Mackey scooped it up and returned it 15 yards to give Syracuse a 14-point lead.
On SU’s first offensive drive of the quarter, Patterson connected with Tom Ferron for a 16-yard touchdown to give the Orange a three-score advantage. It was Ferron’s first-career touchdown grab and Patterson’s 17th career touchdown pass, moving him past Todd Philcox for sole possession of ninth in school history.
Syracuse extended its lead to 24 points when kicker Patrick Shadle connected on a 36-yard field goal with six seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Illinois scored two late touchdowns to pull within 10, but its final attempt at victory ended when Paul Chiara recovered an on-side kick.
Smith set career highs with five catches for 106 yards. Running back Curtis Brinkley led the team and recorded a then personal best with 69 rushing yards on 18 carries, while running back Delone Carter rushed for 63 yards on 19 attempts.
Linebacker Kelvin Smith led the Orange defense with seven tackles and cornerback Terrell Lemon added six. SU’s defense recorded five sacks.
The Orange return the Carrier Dome next week to take on Miami (OH) at 7 p.m. That game will be a re-match of the first game played in the Carrier Dome, which Syracuse won, 36-24, on September 20, 1980. The Red Hawks also played in the Dome during the 1987 season, losing to the Orange 24-10. Syracuse finished the 1987 season with an 11-0-1 record. Season and individual game tickets are available via the internet (click here) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (1-888-DOMETIX).
