Syracuse nabs one of its biggest wins in recent memory with a dominant 45-26 win over #9 Louisville. Here’s my knee-jerk reaction:
- This is easily the biggest win of the Doug Marrone era for a couple reasons. Let’s start with what was on the line. A loss against UofL would force SU into the daunting task of having to win at Mizzou next week, along with a season-ending victory on the road at Temple just to make a bowl. The Orange just put itself into a very favorable position for the postseason, only having to win one of its final two. And for an SU team that just worked over a top 10 Cardinals team, it should beat Temple in the Owls first year back in the Big East.
- A non-bowl season would’ve been a big dip for the Orange program. Next year SU will face a very difficult schedule in its first ACC campaign, and the prospect of three straight non-bowl seasons if SU didn’t capitalize this year. The Orange just set up a terrific chance to get back to the postseason.
- It was a beautiful day of PR for Syracuse’s program. On national TV, in the middle of the afternoon, the Dome was rocking, the old magic was back in the building, emotions were high with Senior Day, and SU drubbed a top 10 team. The offense was in beast mode all day, and Ryan Nassib once again proved how good he could be. What a recruiting tool today should end up being.
- Don’t look now, but SU could finish 5-2 in the Big East and be tied for the second-best record in the league. Rutgers still has games against both Louisville and Cincinnati, so plenty it yet to be determined. But a win over Temple in two weeks would mean SU has its best conference record since it went 4-2 in ’04. The Orange finished 1-6 in the conference last year. What a turnaround this season after a terrible non-con start.
- Jerome Smith’s century streak continues. A 144-yard day on the ground was the standout performance of SU’s monster day on the ground totaling 278 yards. Give ‘Rome major credit. He has worked his tail off to become a more effective runner this season, put his head down and did all the right things. It’s great to see his work ethic pay off. PTG added 98 more.
- While the SU offense might not be Mike Leach’s Air Raid Attack, it’s pretty damn effective. For years, The Fizz has begged for Marrone to open up the playbook and take advantage of a fast turf and controlled conditions for all home games. Why not recruit speed, athletes and throw it around the Dome as a recruiting tool? That’s not quite how the Orange are stacking points and yards, but it’s still been fun to watch. Nate Hackett has found a great balance of runs and pass, and Nassib is running the operation to perfection.
- Look at what happens when the Orange limits penalties (7-55) and doesn’t turn the ball over? The most disappointing part of this season will always be what could’ve been. It’s obvious the Orange was good enough to beat every team on its schedule, including USC (seeing the recent swoon of the Trojans). Without mistakes and self-inflicted wounds, could SU have finished 9-3? 10-2? Better?
- Are there many things more satisfying than watching UofL get killed? Whether it’s Slick Rick in hoops, or the Cards football team, enjoying SU obliterating Louisville on national TV is as good as it gets.
Posted: D.A.
58 responses to “D.A.’s Knee-Jerk Reaction: Syracuse Mauls #9 Louisville in Perfect Afternoon”
Yeah Overall, Great performance. It’s tough to know that this team could be so much better record wise, but have put themselves in great position for bowl eligibility.
Hackett, my hats off to you on the play calling. You exploited their D all day and you weren’t predictable. the Running backs had themselves a day thanks to the O-Line.
The D did all they could in contain Bridgewater.
They play like that to close out the regular season i like our chances of bowlin.
..and even though its a long shot the BE title is still alive for the Orange.
what a great job by the syracuse team today. i never beleived they had a chance, but they proved me wrong and am glad they did. i mean they played awesome on all 3 phases of the game, and couldn’t be any happier for this team and coaching staff. way to go guys, keep up the great work..
I’m glad I came back to see this one in the Dome. It was really great to be part of that crowd. It was a bit disappointing to not see it more filled with such a highly ranked team coming in on homecoming, but it was still loud and a lot of fun!
Also, going into this season I was not a Jerome Smith fan. Now, I might be his biggest fan. He’s really become one hell of a running back. I still have though when he gets in the open field and just can’t find the next gear. Luckily he didn’t really need it today.
I’m going to miss the Nassib/Lemon connection, but the future looks bright. It’d be great to see this team take it to Mizzou next weekend and I’m confident they’ll beat Temple. Wonder what our bowl options look like if we win out.
What Im more curious about is how much of impact this will have for recruiting. Seeing Su dominant a quality opponent on national TV
@Russell;you missed a great one buddy,boy was it great to watch Syracuse dominate a top 10 team in every fashion of the game. complete domination. Russell lets all hope that Syracuse plays as good as they did today against Missouri next Saturday. If that happens ,your prediction of a 7-5 overall regular season record was right on the money. CONGRATULATIONS.
@Cuse17,what you got to say now ass wipe? Syracuse looked real good today. Are you about to give them any credit for this win or not. Oh! wait a minute we can’t give the kids credit for playing the game because it was almost perfect. So I guess we have to give credit to the coaching staff right. Go away please.
@Terrie; I know how much you like Prince-Tyson Gulley. You told us all before that he was going to be the reason for major disappointment in a ball game this year. Well if you haven’t noticed it yet,he hasn’t but on Saturday he ran for a touchdown,caught a few passes from Ryan Nassib and had an overall good game. Hell I hate it when players live up to the experts like you who predict total bullshit. Please join Cuse17 and both of you get lost.
Yeah,I sensed we were up to the WVU redux,esp after seeing Vegas odds drop from 4 to 1 and a half last night but our lousy luck the unbeatable Crimson Tide loses their 1st game the same afternoon but we’ll still benefit and get some national respect out of our yearly WTF game!!”GoCuse” ….now we only need to win 1 but I think we’ll win out and go bowling!!I was at the party that started on the previous thread and got here late!LOL..
Calling all nephews,calling all nephews and Carlton too,..ur late to the party!!CuseDontluse,hows it look in Texas?HaHa
Ron,I thought u were still hanging at the Hill partying with the kids….beautiful win and C17 was first to congratulate Dougie and the team,caught me off guard but im gonna try and keep it positive untill I get a reason!!….They should avoid those political tinged storys,no good comes from them…..u just gave ur opinion,..agree or disagree I did’nt see why DA was mad?We have many diverse opinions on this board and I try to avoid politic’s,thats what sports are for!!
Derek,how long do u think SB would have been in the game with the “Cuse” now that there starting to hit their stride?Their good but not BE or even MAC good or do u think there depth would have held this long?Im glad u were able to enjoy the great win,ur a loyal fan!!
@Russell MacEachern;I had to work a dinner(banquet)at the Schine Student center Thursday evening and one of the honorees was Art Monk. I felt bad that I didn’t get a chance to shake his hand and talk to him. On the bright side I was invited to the tailgate party held at the same site for alumni this morning. Couldn’t eat enough of the jumbo shrimp Russ. It was delicious.
Enjoyed watching the defense pound Louisville into submission. They were knocking the hell out of their quarterback. Looked great. Ended the day by taking my wife and oldest granddaughter to the Olive Garden for dinner afterwards.
The day was perfect Russell, just perfect and priceless.
@the sackster,your right,I don’t think the people watching it on tv could tell just how well the kicking team played today during the kickoffs and when punting the ball.
I hope they play at this level against Missouri next Saturday.
Where’s all of those nay-Sayers yelling for Coach Marrones removal? Especially the one who posted and made the statement about being “A BIG EAST/NORTHEASTERN EXPERIMENT THAT HAS GONE BAD”?
Where are they? I can’t hear you guys,are you choking on your food for thought guy’s?
Just goes to show the rest of us how much of a hypocrite you really are.
Eh, Stony Brook… who cares. I’m just loving that our own team is finally deep enough to roll with the injuries and still be relevant late in the season.
I refuse to say anything about this team hitting their stride because each time I think they have, they do something wacky and blow a game they should win. That said, I think they’ve learned their lesson and Nassib seemed determined in the post game interview. I say this team beats Mizzou and Temple to get to a respectable bowl game. Sure would set us up nicely going into the ACC.
Russell, I know that I’m going to be made fun of but I got so into the game,I couldn’t believe what I was watching. I got so dizzy while screaming that I almost fell over when I stood cheer them on and I was so happy for the team that I had tears that lasted damn near the whole game.
For joy ,for joy. Syracuse is going bowling and getting extra practice time this year will help get the kids ready for the 2013 season.
I would like to welcome Ebenezer Ogundeko now to the 2013 team. How great a season is Syracuse having? I ask again,how great a season is Syracuse having?
Not only did Syracuse dominate UofL,they beat them into submission all during the game. U of L players were being helped off the field,their offensive and defensive lines were standing with their hands on their hips after the first quarter and when the defensive line was finished they were bent forwards and walking awful slowly off the field.
Great job Syracuse,great job.
What a great win. We dominated in every aspect of the game. Play calling was great all game. Now lets win out and go bowling. Nassib plaed very well and Jerome Smith is getting better and better. Gulley played well to. Defense and special teams played very well.
I don’t think u guys will be satisfied with “just” the Pinstripe bowl but lets be happy for any bowl we get for recruits and esp extra practice time!!Where the heck is my nephew?…I know Carlton is watching the Irish like me and Ron is delirious with joy in his cups,HaHa…CDL?
Derek,exactly,eh to SB,a cute early season story no one thinks about anymore!!But at the time u were quite taken with them and they are pretty good in their class!!They will never in 1AA or 2A have enough body’s to withstand a rigorous D1 season!!
Great Win!!!!! I would still like to see Adonis Ameem Moore get some carries outside of the tank formation. He looked good in garbage time today,. He is showing some speed to go with his power………
@Russ, I know I’m late! But I’ve kinda lost the urge to post on here anymore. Avoiding the ugly name calling just not worth getting into it online. The feel the mood of the fizz has changed over the last few months. Love ppl challengeing my thoughts an ideas but name calling an the other stuff isn’t called for. Anyway I know a lot of unhappy cards fans! Great win! This how SU could look if they didn’t beat themselfs! Seeing SU play this good is fustrateing bc SU could have taken the BE title. What a way to go out that would have been! Dam!
I hope you all enjoy the “BATTLE OF MIDWAY” basketball game today at 4:00 pm.
Wouldn’t it be great if Syracuse were to win the game? What a weekend it would be,the football team knocking off a top 10 team and the basketball team knocking off a top 20 team. All on national television. Great week to be an Orange Fan.
@D.A.;On Saturday(Senior Day)only 15 seniors stepped on field with their parents that were about to graduate from Syracuse.
If I’m understanding this correctly,every four years were only going to be able to recruit 15 players? When checking the roster it shows that we have 22 seniors on the team,with 15 of them graduating does that mean that 7 of the seniors are staying for a “red shirt” season?
I’m just wondering how this came to be,was it because of all of the departures 4 years ago when Coach Marrone was hired?
@Russell MacEachern;only dreaming of what could have been if all of the mistakes weren’t made in our earlier games. A 9-1 over all record and with 2 games left to play possibly looking at a 11-1 over all record. Boy that sure would have been something to drink about.
Back to reality though,a 7-5 record isn’t to shabby and going to another bowl(hopefully Pinstripe)is a great possibility.
I thought this would be the year where GROB’s players were moving on and that we would have nothing but Marrones recruits on the team. But I guess I will have to wait another year for that to happen.
These players have been ridiculed by the fans,called no nothing 2/3 star athletes that weren’t smart enough to understand and play the game. They stood tall and faced all of the criticism and adversity that was thrown their way. They didn’t quit and all became men. Coach Marrone and his team has done exactly what he told us he was going to do. Get the players ready for life after football was gone.
As a fan I would like to give all of these young men a huge THANK YOU for coming to Syracuse to play the game and want to wish them the very best at what life has to offer. Good luck gentlemen
best win of the season obviously great win… its close to EO’s decision surprised their has been no article on him of late
Don’t forget the Women’s Field Hockey Team in the NCAA’s won their first round game. Play on Sunday. Also, kudos to the Men and Women X Country Teams.
Carlton,Yeah I noticed the “negative poster’s” too and was’nt happy about the attacks on good fans so Im trying to be part of the solution and not let myself be baited!Shame nice ,knowledgeable guys like u and Dipper are turned away from participating for the “no-nothings” and very disppointing to me!I look forward to my friendly fans posting here joking around and exchanging views!I hope ue Irish continue their “luck” this year but I think ND will only get better w/offensive minded BK coaching them!Don’t let anyone run u off the board C’ton..FF day today!!
Ron,I guess ur starting to come back to earth by now after a historic victory,like u I hope we go to the Pinstripe bowl and play in front of our NY/NJ recruits and allow a lot of fans to make the game!!I was happy to see u in delirium last night lol!!HaHa…any shrimp leftover?Giants on at 1pm..
Ron – good question. My guess with the numbers on Senior Day is that it seems low b/c we’re not factoring in players that leave early for NFL and those that dont finish their career with SU, instead leave the program before graduating. But I’ll look at the numbers a little closer. Great thread we have going – thanks for some really solid commentary after the win.
Ron,did u mean Adam Shein?I know he made a nice donation towards a wing “building at the Hill!!I met him thru a aquaintaince of my nephew(Carlin)and he’s a real mensch!!Sounds good,jumbo shrimp to good Italian(olive garden),the original owners live in N.J.!!Sounds like life is good this weekend for CuseNation but what happened with my Giants?
Im not liking hearing or missing posters (C’ton,Dipper?,Norma or bgogo,P’fessor)due to namecalling,I hope its just a coincidence?Personally I lean coincidence!!We meet some nice decent people here!!
A couple of posts up it came out wrong,I did’nt mean “my friendly fans” in the arrogant context but the people whom I enjoy interrelating with!!Reading it over it sounded funny too me!!Who the heck am I?HaHa..I dont have any fans!!
@D.A.;thanks for taking the time to answer my question or should I say look at the question and try to find an answer for us.
I also know that you didn’t like my response on a previous post. When people that I’ve come to consider friends here and people who contribute different solid views for debate, COME UNDER ATTACK, tend to get me a little irritated and I will respond appropriately to their foolish remarks. Guys like Russell,myself,Carlton,Norma,bgogo all made a unwritten pledge that we would keep this web site clean and civil. There are some who use this web site that don’t know what those two words mean. As you well know I love Syracuse athletics and will argue the point with anyone who tries to tear them down. To all of the idiots who are calling for Marrone to be fired,where are they? I want to know what they think after the game the team had on Saturday. I also know a 7-5 overall record is not the best that we can do,but no one D.A. is talking about the hard work these young men put in every day of the week trying to please the fans here,no one. The fans like to tear these same players apart on web sites after they lose a game. I’m just letting you and everyone else know that the complaining gets sicking after awhile.
One other thing D.A. I will try to keep things on a more positive note. If people get nasty here I’m letting you know now that I can get just as nasty or nastier as the next person.
You’ve worked hard to give the public a decent web site< I wouldn't want to be the person who destroyed/ruined it for you.
@Russell MacEachern;
It’s called the Schine Student Center. You might be right about the person who donated the money to have that building built. It was built in two different phases and the money to build it came from one family.
@Russell MacEachern;How great a weekend for the Cuse Russell. You couldn’t beat it with a stick if you tried.
It all happened on national television, the women’s field hockey team beat Penn State to advance to the Final Four,we know what happened on Saturday with that top 10 team and the Syracuse Basketball Team won the Battle on the Midway game against SDST.
It was a great weekend to be an Orange Fan,I loved every minute of it. Let’s all hope they carry the momentum into next Saturday against Missouri and become bowl eligible with the win.
I can hear the people starting to complain already Russell,can’t you?
@Russell MacEachern;my son and I were talking about the games that we will be attending next season. We’re returning to the MetLife Stadium for the game against Penn State and a good possibility attending the Maryland Game. Will be going with some friends who belong to a sports club located in Syracuse.
They tried talking me into going Saturday to Missouri. I had to say no to that one.
[…] was an afternoon of perfection for […]
@Russell MacEachern;I know that I’ve said it before Russ. I hope everything goes well for you during your operation. Hope you have a quick and painless recovery.
Good Luck “OLD FRIEND” you deserve the best Russell,the very best.
Great win! I unfortunately had to stream the game on ESPN3 – better than nothing though! I thought was going to be a nationally televised game, but here in Atlanta they were showing some other crappy match up on ABC. I was kind of hoping some of our GA/FL recruiting targets might have caught this one.
Overall, just a great performance. Really happy for Marrone and the guys!
The Mizzou game next week is on ESPNU at 7PM – primetime! This is a tough task, but certainly a game Syracuse can win if they execute like they did against Louisville.
@Mike;great post,they’re are a few exceptions to seeing Syracuse win a ball game,but the majority who post here join you in your enthusiasm for a Syracuse win on Saturday. They know a bowl game is on the line for the team,if I where Missouri,I’d be a little concerned.
Here comes da Orange baby,here comes da Orange.
Ronette your right PTG has proven me wrong so far this season. So far my judgement has been wrong. We need him to stay that way too. At the game he also wasn’t so bull headed about getting in peoples faces. So maybe you man HCDM/dougie got in his face about that issue too!!
@Ron,maybe I was wrong about the spelling of Adams last name because I know hes Jewish and its traditionally spelt “Shein” but Im not sure of the way his family spells their last name but hes the cohost with Carlin on Loudmouths in NYC,…I’ll be offline till wednesday probably for personal reasons,thanks for ur best wishes!!keep it friendly and positive guys!Wheres my nephew been recently?
Ron,Mizzou not the decent team they used to be and I seen in ESpins power rankings were 58th after beating the “ville” and Mizzous in the 70s somewhere but I did’nt need them to tell me,….we SHOULD win if we play like we have been!!
I repeat Mizzou is not the team this year a lot of u guys seem to think they are!!Do a little research,I would’nt be surprised if its a pickem game and were on the road!!”Go Cuse”
Carlton,Ron,no need for any disappointment this year went about as I expected and the improvement was obvious…..slow but steady,..were only a year(QB)or two away from what were all waiting for,real relevance!!
We’ve got to get QB settled as some don’t realize how good Nassib is!!He’ll be missed!
@Terry;it takes a MAN to acknowledge he made a mistake. I’m glad that you realize the player that Prince-Tyson Gulley is. For me he is one of those players that play the game with HEART and play’s it hard. I feel he’s just releasing his emotions when he gets up and gets in a players face after being tackled.
Terry as much as I like to watch him and Jerome Smith carry the ball(and I don’t want to belittle either one here)I feel the best running back on the team is George Morris III who is a freshman.
Good post Terry,thanks.
EO has gotten back in touch /w ND from what I saw on twitter. Don’t know what that means but rivals had him having a top 4. I couldn’t look at it b/c i don’t pay for rivals so i’m not sure who was in the top 4. Just passing that little news along.
@Carlton and Ron,just got home from “hotel” and everything went OK!BTW,Carl’s right to CDL and others about EO…seems were not “really” in the mix from my research but maybe we can get Justin Moody whose underrated and very good DE/OLB out of Philly area!!Of course u ever know with these kids,EOs interest could get rekindled but don’t count on it as I don’t like the “signals”!!
@Russell MacEachern;where are you getting all of your information about these players from? Is it personal contacts or a certain web site? Care to share?