Syracuse Post-Game Notes
Senior free safety O’Neil Scott made his first appearance in the SU starting lineup since starting seven games in his sophomore season. Scott started in place of Anthony Smith, who moved to cornerback to replace the injured DeAndre Lacaille.
Senior running back Walter Reyes moved into sole possession of second place on the BIG EAST career rushing touchdown list. His 50-yard first quarter run was the 43rd rushing touchdown of his career. He later tacked on a three-yard scoring run, the 44th of his career.
Reyes became the first SU player ever to rush for 2,000 yards in the Carrier Dome. Reyes now has 2,116 yards and 31 rushing touchdowns in 23 career home games.
Reyes cracked the 100-yard mark for the 13th time in his career to move into a third place tie with Floyd Little on the Orange’s career 100-yard rushing games list.
Sophomore Brendan Carney’s first quarter extra point was his first since the Boston College game last season. Carney is now 6-for-7 for his career on PATs. Carney’s 43-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter was his first career field goal try.
Redshirt freshman fullback Breyone Evans ran for his first career touchdown, a 22-yard run in the second quarter.
Senior Andre Fontenette’s touchdown catch to end the first half was the first scoring reception of his career.
Anthony Smith’s pick in the third quarter was his first interception return for a touchdown. It was the third score of his career (two blocked punt returns).
Julian Pollard’s third-quarter sack was the first of his career.
James Wyche had four tackles for a loss, including three sacks to move into 10th place on the Orange’s career tackles for a loss list. Wyche has 21.5 career tackles behind the line of scrimmage, passing Eric Downing’s total of 20.0 from 1999-2000.
Wyche’s three sacks tied for sixth on the SU single-game ledger. It was the first time a player had three-or-more sacks in one game since Dwight Freeney set the school record with 4.5 against Virginia Tech in 2000. His four tackles behind the line of scrimmage tied for fourth on the Orange’s game list, and the most for an SU player since Christian Ferrara had five last season against Notre Dame.
Joe Fields came into the game for one play in the third quarter. It was his first appearance since starting the Cincinnati game.
Steve Gregory’s six catches were a career high. His previous best was five versus West Virginia in SU’s last game.
Jameel McClain’s fumble recovery in the fourth quarter was the first of his career.
Syracuse is now 146-0 all-time when scoring 40 points or more.
