There are plenty of storylines to follow when the Orange football team closes the 2009 season at Connecticut on Saturday, November 28 (12:00 p.m., BIG EAST Network), including the defense, which ranks ninth nationally against the run, quarterback Greg Paulus attempting to set the SU single-season and career completion percentage records and running back Delone Carter's climb up the Orange career rushing record list. It will be the sixth meeting between the two schools. The Orange (4-7 overall) concluded its home schedule with a 31-13 win against then-No. 25 Rutgers on Senior Day.
Orange Defense Among the Best
Syracuse’s defense ranks ninth nationally and leads the BIG EAST in run defense, allowing just 92.5 yards per game. The ‘D’ has allowed just one opposing rusher to gain more than 100 yards (Dion Lewis, Pitt, 110 yards) and has held opposing teams to less than 100 rushing yards per contest in six games this season. The last time the Orange defense played that well was 2003 when it held six opponents to less than 100 yards on the ground. The defense is allowing 333.4 yards per game, which is its best effort since 2000 when it allowed 311.9 yards per game. The Orange has held three opponents to less than 200 yards of total offense (Akron, Louisville and Rutgers).
SU Defense Makes Plays in the Opponent's Backfield
Syracuse has 35 sacks in 11 games, the highest single-season total since 2001 when SU had 40, and has had at least one in all 11 games this year. The Orange has 81 tackles for loss of 370 yards through 11 games, the most since 2003 (83 for a loss of 310 yards). Against Rutgers, SU tied the school record with nine sacks and had 13.0 tackles for loss. Junior linebacker Doug Hogue led the way with 3.5 sacks for a loss of 29 yards and 6.5 tackles for a loss of 35 yards. The 13.0 tackles for loss are the most by a Syracuse defense since 2001 against West Virginia. At Louisville, the Orange had 11 tackles for a loss of 44 yards . In 2009, Hogue leads the team with 16.0 tackles for a loss of 98 yards and 9.5 sacks. His 16.0 tackles for loss ranks sixth on the SU single-season record list.
Precision Passing
Quarterback Greg Paulus has completed 169-of-253 passes (66.8 percent) through 11 games, which is the best single-season and career performance in Syracuse history. Bill Scharr held the single-season record (107-of-169, .633), while Marvin Graves held the career record (563-943, .597). Paulus' 66.8 completion percentage ranks third on the BIG EAST single-season record list. His 169 completions is third on the SU single-season record list
Carter Cracks Top 20
Senior running back Delone Carter moved into the 20th spot on SU’s all-time rushing yards record list with 1,769 in 28 games. He ranks 45th in the nation and fifth in the league in rushing average with 83.5. Carter has five 100-yard rushing games in his career, including three this season. He earned his three BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll recognition for his performances at Pittsburgh, against Maine and against Rutgers. He rushed for 67 yards on 22 carries and recorded his 10th touchdown of the season against the Scarlet Knights.
Hogue is National Player of the Week
Junior linebacker Doug Hogue was named the Walter Camp Football Foundation National Defensive Player of the Week and was awarded the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week for his record-setting performance against Rutgers. Hogue established a new Syracuse standard with 6.5 tackles for loss. The previous record was 5.0 and was set by three players, including Antwaune Ponds (1996), Dwight Freeney (2000), and Christian Ferrara (2003). Hogue also had seven tackles, including the 6.5 for a loss of yards and 3.5 sacks, and one forced fumble against the Scarlet Knights. He ranks 15th nationally and second in the BIGEAST in sacks per game with .86 and ties for 15th in the country and is first in the league with 1.45 tackles for loss per game.
Bailey Earns BIG EAST Weekly Honor
Sophomore running back Antwon Bailey earned his first BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll recognition for his performance against Rutgers, when he had 181 all-purpose yards. Bailey gained 77 yards on 16 carries, including his first touchdown of the season on a 14-yard rush, averaged 28.5 yards on two kickoff returns, including a career-long 27-yard return, and caught three passes for 47 yards.
Orange Schedule is 13th-Toughest Nationally
Syracuse’s 2009 schedule is the 13th-toughest in all of college football and the 17th-hardest in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). SU opened with three straight automatic-qualifying BCS conferences for the third time in four years. SU’s 12 opponents have an 80-49 (.620 win percentage) record through 11 weeks of the 2009 season and five are listed in the AP Poll and six are in the USA Today Coaches Poll. The Orange’s 2009 FBS opponents had a 90-50 (.643 win percentage) record in 2008.
Scouting the Huskies
Connecticut is 5-5 after beating Notre Dame, 33-30, in double overtime on Saturday, November 21. Sophomore quarterback Cody Endres has completed 98-of-154 passes for 1,354 yards and six touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Marcus Easley has had 30 catches for 626 yards and five touchdowns this season, while sophomore running back Jordan Todman leads the team with 956 yards and 13 touchdowns on 185 carries. The Huskies will conclude its season on December 5 against South Florida.