Syracuse Game Notes
Saturday, September 14, 2002
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY
R.J. Anderson and Jamel Riddle connected on an 87-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. It was SU's first touchdown pass of the season, and the longest Syracuse pass play since Donovan McNabb and Quinton Spotwood hooked up for a 94-yard touchdown versus East Carolina in 1997. The play tied the third longest passing play in SU history. Ger Schwedes and found Ernie Davis for an 87-yard score versus Texas in 1959. It was the longest pass completion of Anderson's career and the longest reception of Riddle's career.
SU's 63 points is tied for fourth most on the Syracuse all-time list. The Orangemen last scored 63 points versus Buffalo in 2000. The Orange's seven touchdowns has been accomplished 29 times in SU history. The last time was versus Rutgers in 2000.
Jamel Riddle's 87-yard touchdown catch was his fourth catch of the game, tying a career-high. He finished the game with five catches, 176 yards and two touchdowns, all career highs.
Riddle's 176 receiving yards ranks tied for 10th on the Syracuse single-game list.
Anderson finished with 306 yards, his second career 300-yard game (308 versus Temple in 2001).
Freshman running back Damien Rhodes broke off a career-long 38-yard run in the second quarter. His previous best was 22 yards against BYU. Rhodes also set a career-high with 94 yards in the game.
Walter Reyes' 46-yard touchdown run was a career-long. His second touchdown also established a new career high. For the third consecutive game, Reyes set a career-high in rushing yards. His 128 yards marked the first time he crossed the century mark in his career.
Reyes' three touchdown runs tied for third on the SU single-game ledger. He is the first Syracuse back to rush for three touchdowns since James Mungro versus West Virginia last season.
Rhodes and Reyes became the first rushing tandem to each rush for multiple touchdowns since Dee Brown and James Mungro each had two versus Temple in 2000.
Rhodes made his first career reception in the third quarter, a 38-yard catch and run.
SU's 629 yards of total offense ranked fourth on the Orange's single-game list, passing the 618 yards versus Pittsburgh in 1994. The Orangemen’s 8.6 yards per play tied for fourth on the SU single-game list. The last time was versus Cincinnati in 1998.
Joe Donnelly returned the opening kickoff 16 yards for the Orangemen. It was the longest of his career. He also returned a kick in the second quarter, marking the first time in his career he has run back more than one kick in a game. Donnelly also made another special teams play in the first quarter, downing a Mike Shafer punt at the two-yard line.
Donnelly established career highs with three receptions and 37 yards.
Redshirt freshman Steve Gregory's third-quarter interception was the first of his career.
Senior cornerback Latroy Oliver's 21-yard fumble return for a touchdown was the first score of his career. It was SU's first fumble return for a touchdown since Quentin Harris had a 91-yard return versus Buffalo in 2000.
Junior fullback Darryl Kennedy had his first career rushing attempts and his first career touchdown, a one-yard run in the fourth quarter. Kennedy ran three times for 11 yards.
Sophomore wide receiver Andre Fontenette made his first career reception in the third quarter. Junior running back Barry Baker had his first carry of the season in the third quarter. He had eight carries for 41 yards in the game, both career highs.
Redshirt freshman Xzavier Gaines made his first career appearance at quarterback for the Orangemen.
Redshirt freshman Joe Kowaleweski made his first career reception in the fourth quarter.
Will Hunter recovered his third fumble of the season in the first quarter. It was the first time this season that the Orangemen failed to convert a Hunter fumble recovery into a touchdown. It was also the first time SU did not score after any turnover this season.
Freshman Kader Drame played his first game at Syracuse. The 6-5, 288-pound defensive tackle was switched from offense after the BYU game.
