Saturday, October 20
Syracuse, NY
4:00 p.m.
Syracuse University
20
vs
12
Buffalo
Sophomore Mike Williams set career bests with 113 yards receiving and seven catches.
Orange Buffaloes Bulls, 20-12
10/20/2007 5:03:18 PM | Football
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The wide receiving tandem of junior Taj Smith and sophomore Mike Williams became the first Orange duo since 1993 to record more than 100 yards apiece in a game, leading the Orange (2-6) to a 20-12 victory against Buffalo on Saturday in the Carrier Dome.
Williams led the Orange with a career-high seven catches for 113 yards and one touchdown, while Smith had three catches for 113 yards. Williams has registered at least one touchdown reception in five consecutive outings, tying a school record previously shared by three players. Smith and Williams were the first receiving combo since Marvin Harrison and Shelby Hill against East Carolina in 1993 to each register more than 100 yards receiving.
Quarterback Andrew Robinson was 15-of-28 for 265 yards and one touchdown and rushed for a career-high 62 yards on nine attempts. Freshman Doug Hogue led the charge on the ground with a career-best 83 yards on 24 carries. He also scored his first career touchdown.
Quarterback Andrew Robinson was 15-of-28 for 265 yards and one touchdown and rushed for a career-high 62 yards on nine attempts. Freshman Doug Hogue led the charge on the ground with a career-best 83 yards on 24 carries. He also scored his first career touchdown.
Sophomore defensive tackle Arthur Jones registered a personal-best four tackles for loss to move him into a tie for sixth on SU’s single-season list. He finished the game with eight tackles. Redshirt freshman Nico Scott tallied a career-high nine tackles, including seven solos.
The Bulls were led by junior quarterback Drew Willy, who was 32-of-48 for 286 yards. His favorite receiver was Naaman Roosevelt. The sophomore caught 10 passes for 91 yards. Sophomore running back James Starks rushed for a team-high 62 yards on 20 attempts.
After receiving the opening kickoff, UB went 60 yards on 11 plays and came away with a 31-yard field goal by freshman kicker A.J. Principe at 10:43. On the drive Willy was 5-of-6 for 42 yards.
The Orange’s drive that followed stalled after 28 yards on six plays and freshman punter Rob Long trapped the Bulls inside their own two-yard line. SU’s defense stood tall and held UB to a three-and-out.
After a Buffalo punt, the Orange took over on its own 11-yard line. Syracuse marched 74 yards on 13 plays to set up a 32-yard field goal by junior Patrick Shadle with 2:06 remaining in the first to even the score at 3-3. Highlighting the drive were runs of 16 and 15 yards by Robinson and junior running back Curtis Brinkley, respectively.
The Orange jumped out to a 17-3 lead in the second quarter. Stuck inside its own one-yard line, SU marched down the field on a season-long 99 yards on seven plays. The offense was sparked when Robinson hit Smith for a 60-yard gain on second-and-nine from SU's own two. Hogue had rushes of five, 12, and six yards setting up his first career touchdown.
On the ensuing kickoff, senior Jeremy Sellers forced and recovered a fumble on the Buffalo 30-yard line. It only took the Orange 32 seconds until Robinson connected with Williams, who now has six touchdown receptions this season and 10 in his career. Williams joins Marvin Harrison, Tommy Kane and Rob Moore as the only Orange players to have a touchdown catch in five consecutive games.
The score remained at 17-3 deep into the third quarter until Principe connected on his second field goal at 3:35. The Bulls drove 52 yards on 10 plays to set up the 33-yarder.
After a Syracuse punt, Buffalo was on the move again. This time the Bulls drove 72 yards on 19 plays. UB converted on two fourth downs before stalling on the SU 12-yard line. Principe was called on again and came through with a 29-yard field goal at 10:24 of the fourth quarter.
The Orange answered with a field goal of its own with 6:54 remaining. During the drive, Robinson and Smith hooked up again, this time for a 40-yard gain. Hogue picked up 18 yards on four attempts and Shadle connected on a 22-yard field goal. The junior has 23 career field goals, which ranks eighth on Syracuse's all-time list.
Willy drove the Bulls 44 yards on 13 plays on the next drive to setup another Principe field goal. This time he made a 32-yarder at 4:42 to produce the final 20-12 score.
It was SU’s fourth consecutive win against the Bulls. The Orange has outscored Buffalo, 151-36, in those four games.
Syracuse is off next week. It returns to action on Nov. 3 against BIG EAST rival Pittsburgh at Heinz Field.
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