SU Game Notes vs. Pitt
Syracuse at Pittsburgh
Heinz Field
Pittsbugh, Pa.
October 22, 2005
Syracuse Notes
Damien Rhodes and Anthony Smith were named game captains for today’s contest. They accompanied SU team captains Steve Franklin and James Wyche to midfield for the opening coin toss.
Anthony Smith intercepted a Tyler Palko pass to thwart the Panthers’ opening drive. It was the 13th career interception for Smith, tying him with Walt Slovenski for third on SU’s career interceptions ledger.
Smith blocked a Pittsburgh punt in the second quarter. The ball was scooped and returned 21 yards by Reggie McCoy for a touchdown. It was first blocked punt for the Orange since the Cincinnati game in 2004 and it was the first time SU returned a blocked punt for touchdown since the Buffalo game last season. It was the sixth career blocked kick (all punts) for Smith, a new school record.
The touchdown was the first for McCoy.
Damien Rhodes continued his climb up SU’s career rushing ledger. He ran for 74 yards against Pittsburgh and now ranks 11th on SU’s career rushing list with 2,194 yards. He passed Robert Drummond (2,164), Malcolm Thomas (2,180) and Jaime Covington (2,188).
Paul Chiara made his first career catch on a shuffle pass on SU’s opening drive for a gain of three yards. He is the 15th receiver to make a reception for the Orange this year, one shy of the team record (16) for the most players to make at least one reception in a season.
Dowayne Davis recovered his first career fumble for the Orange. The turnover was forced by Tanard Jackson. It was the first forced fumble for Jackson.
Tim Lane made his first career touchdown reception to cap a five-play, 37-yard scoring drive in the first quarter.
James Wyche sacked Tyler Palko in the first quarter. He also stripped the ball from the quarterback and recovered it. It was Wyche’s third forced fumble of the season and the fourth of his career. The recovery was the first for Wyche this season and the second of his career.
Kader Drame blocked a Panthers’ field goal in the second quarter. It was the first blocked field goal for the Orange since the Rutgers contest in 2003 (Steve Gregory).
Perry Patterson moved up a spot on SU’s all-time completions list with his touchdown pass to Lane in the first quarter. He was 9-of-25 through the air versus the Panthers in the first half. He passed former Orange star Todd Norley and now ranks sixth on that ledger with 256 completions. Patterson’s 25 passing attempts moved him into seventh in career passing attempts with 468.
Brendan Carney moved into fourth on SU’s career punts list. He has 169 boots during his time at SU. He also moved into third place on the Orange’s career punting yardage ledger Saturday. He has 7,307 career punting yards.
