Syracuse University
Northeastern
Syracuse Harnesses the Huskies in a 30-21 Victory
9/20/2008 4:13:22 PM | Football
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Senior tailback Curtis Brinkley set a career-best 145 rushing yards on 24 attempts and scored a touchdown in Syracuse’s 30-21 victory against Northeastern in the Carrier Dome. Sophomore Doug Hogue also had a career day with 100 yards rushing and 25 yards receiving, in addition to scoring two touchdowns. He found the endzone on the ground and via a pass from quarterback Cam Dantley.
It marked the first time two SU running backs have rushed for 100 yards since 2004 when Diamond Ferri (146) and Damien Rhodes (107) accomplished the feat against Boston College.
The Orange forced three turnovers, including sophomore linebacker Derrell Smith’s forced fumble, which was picked up by sophomore defensive end Anthony Perkins in the first quarter, an interception by sophomore free safety Randy McKinnon in the third quarter, and a fourth-quarter interception by senior Bruce Williams. Senior defensive end Vincenzo Giruzzi made a career-high nine tackles against the Huskies.
SU gained a season-high 438 yards on offense, including 271 rushing yards. Dantley threw for 14-of-17 with 167 yards and a score. Additionally, Dantley rushed for a career-high 26 yards.
Syracuse struck first on Hogue’s nine-yard touchdown run with 7:14 remaining in the first quarter.
On NU’s next drive, Smith knocked the ball loose from Northeastern running back Alex Broomfield and Perkins recovered on the Huskies 32-yard line. Senior kicker Patrick Shadle gave the Orange a 10 point lead with his 30th career field goal from 46 yards out. Shadle’s season-long conversion came with 1:44 remaining in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Huskies cut Syracuse’s lead to three, 10-7, with 25 seconds remaining in the first half on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Orio to Greg Abelli.
Orange sophomore Mike Holmes started the second half with a 34-yard kick return, setting up Syracuse’s scoring drive. Dantley capped the touchdown drive with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Hogue, giving Syracuse a 17-7 advantage with 11:19 remaining in the third. During the drive, Brinkley gained 25 yards on six carries.
McKinnon gave the ball back to the Orange offense with an interception at the Orange 39-yard line. The SU offense capitalized on the turnover converting a 61-yard, nine-play drive into a touchdown. Brinkely found the endzone with 2:36 remaining in the third quarter, giving the Orange a 24-7 lead.
Northeastern cut the margin to 10, 24-14, with 14:20 remaining in the game on a six-play 80-yard drive.
A 32-yard Shadle field goal gave the Orange a 13 point lead with 10:39 left in the game. Freshman wide receiver Marcus Sales caught a career-long 25 yards pass in the drive.
After Northeastern scored its third touchdown of the game to cut the lead to six, 27-21, Shadle converted a 21-yard field goal with 1:53 left to play to give the Orange a 30-21 advantage. Shadle’s total of 32 career field goals ranks seventh in school history.
Syracuse opens up BIG EAST play next Saturday against Pittsburgh in the Carrier Dome (12:00 p.m., BIG EAST Network).
