SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Wide receiver Taj Smith now has two years remaining as a member of the Syracuse football program. Smith, who played in only four games during the 2006 season due to injury, was granted a medical hardship by the NCAA and has two years of eligibility remaining.
Smith recorded 12 receptions for 227 yards before injuring his collarbone in SU's fourth game against Miami (OH) last season. Nine of his 12 receptions resulted in either a touchdown or first down but Smith was forced to the sideline for the season's final eight games due to the injury.
Syracuse filed a waiver with the BIG EAST Conference for an extra year of eligibility. The waiver was approved following the adoption of proposal 2006-64, which increased the maximum participation from 20 percent of a sport's season to 30 percent. Thus, 30 percent of Syracuse's 12-game schedule calculates to 3.6 games. Since the NCAA doesn't recognize fractions of games, the limit of games played was rounded up to four games, qualifying Smith for the extra year of eligibility.
Smith and the Orange open the 2007 season against Washington. Game time is scheduled for 8 p.m. at the Carrier Dome and the game can be seen live nationally on ESPN. All 2007 season and individual game tickets are available at the Carrier Dome Box Office (1-888-DOMETIX) or online (
www.suathletics.com).