Syracuse University
Rutgers
Suter Sets School Record In 38-14 Loss to Rutgers
10/13/2007 10:16:49 AM | Football
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Freshman Max Suter had a record day in the Orange’s 38-14 defeat against Rutgers on Saturday at the Carrier Dome. Suters returned seven kickoffs for 198 yards to become the Orange’s all-time single-season leader in kick return yards with 784 yards. The 198 yards in one game is also a Syracuse record.
Junior running back Curtis Brinkley rushed 16 times for 98 yards and one touchdown. The Orange scored on its first two drives to take an early 14-0 advantage. The Scarlet Knights responded with 38 unanswered points.
Sophomore receiver Mike Williams had Syracuse’s other touchdown and caught four passes for 28 yards. Senior tight end Jawad Nesheiwat made four receptions for a team-high 81 yards for the Orange. Sophomore quarterback Andrew Robinson went 15-of-31 for 158 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
Rutgers (4-2, 1-1 BIG EAST) had scoring drives of 73, 69, 65, 56 and 32 yards. Ray Rice carried the ball 36 times for 196 yards and three touchdowns. Kenny Britt recorded six receptions for 176 yards and one score. Mike Teel was 20-for-29 for 310 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
After a 34-yard kickoff return by James Towsend, Rutgers got one first down and crossed midfield but was stopped after an interception by linebacker Ben Maljovec. The junior returned his first interception of the season 52 yards to the 21-yard line and let the Orange offense do the rest. He has three career picks.
Robinson found a wide-open Williams for a 16-yard touchdown pass and catch on SU’s third offensive play to give the Orange an early 7-0 advantage. The Orange picked up a Rutgers' blitz and Williams was unguarded on the right side as Robinson delivered the ball.
Syracuse (1-6, 1-2 BIG EAST) forced a Rutgers’ punt and moved the ball 84 yards on seven plays on its second possession, culminating in a 15-yard touchdown scamper by Brinkley to give the Orange a 14-0 lead with 6:22 remaining in the opening quarter. The drive was highlighted by a 38-yard pass from Robinson to Nesheiwat on the first play of the drive.
The Scarlet Knights responded with a six-play, 56-yard drive on their own. The scoring drive was capped by a seven-yard touchdown run by Rice with 2:52 left in the quarter. The big play in the drive for Rutgers was a 40-yard pass completion from Teel to Britt.
Devin McCourty of Rutgers blocked a Rob Long punt on SU’s first possession of the second quarter. The Scarlet Knights gained control of the ball at the one-yard-line and Ray Rice scored one play later to even the score, 14-14, at the 13:45 mark.
Teel and Britt hooked up again for a 42-yard touchdown play on a slant route on third-and-eight that gave Rutgers a 21-14 advantage with 7:55 remaining in the first half.
A 41-yard flea-flicker from Teel to Britt led to a 25-yard field goal by Jeremy Ito to put the score at 24-14 at 1:26 mark of the second quarter. The Scarlet Knights had first-and-goal from the four, but a holding penalty backed them up and the drive ended when senior defensive end Jameel McClain batted down a Teel pass on third down. The 13-play, 73-yard drive was Rutgers’ third consecutive scoring march.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, but Syracuse did have promising back-to-back drives that stalled at the Rutgers 33 and 31, respectively.
The Scarlet Knights opened the fourth quarter with a five-play 69-yard driving, ending with a two-yard Rice touchdown to put Rutgers ahead, 31-14, with 14:16 remaining in the game. It was his third score of the day.
A Syracuse turnover and 32-yard pass from Teel to Kevin Brock moved the score to 38-14 just 1:13 later.
The Orange plays its third consecutive home game Saturday, Oct. 20 when it entertains Buffalo on Fan Appreciation Day. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. on ESPNU. Tickets are available online (click here) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (888-DOMETIX). Fans are invited to use the 'Print at Home' option to avoid waiting in line at the Dome.
