Syracuse University Football
Syracuse vs. Connecticut
November 15, 2008
Carrier Dome
Opening Statement:
“That was no fun. Really, it was for awhile. We came out of the blocks there, and it looked like we were going to make it competitive a lot of different ways. Then we found a lot of different ways to let them off the hook. We played a lot better than they did. It's disappointing, it's really disappointing.”
Any explanation for the offense?
“I wish I could answer that. We're not functioning, obviously. We had a period of time there where it was headed in the right direction. I'm referring to a couple weeks ago. The last couple of weeks, it's just a shame. It really is. I know we could make some plays against this outfit and in every way we found ways to hurt ourselves. We made foolish penalties in the first half. A five-yard penalty here, a five yard penalty there, those things hurt. On first and 15, it just makes things a lot tougher, especially when you're back on the 18-yard line.”
And the two long runs that your defense gave up?
“It's too bad. It's really a shame. The one play, the team recognized the formation to be something and they didn't see it right. So half of them were starting to shift to a different defense and they ran that kid around on the reverse out of a no-back set and then that was it. On the other play, they ran the same play about 20 more times in that game and made no more than about four yards. We had a guy right there to make the tackle and he missed the opportunity to make a play. But you know what, it was his first series, and then he made a ton of plays. It's unfortunate, because a good back like that he's too fast. I think that other than that run, I thought we played pretty darn good. I suspect that he (Donald Brown) went over 100 yards because that one run was 49 yards. I'm telling you, I wish we could still be out there playing against him, because, I'll be honest with you, our guys were ripe to shut him down. Then we let that play get out there. We played him tough.”
Any particular thoughts leaving the field that this might be your last time?
“No, it didn't enter my mind.”
What has happened to Cam Dantley? It's really baffling.
“I can't explain that right now. Again, I hate to make statements before I see the film and critique the quarterback. Sometimes you think this or that and then you think, wait a minute, the route wasn't run right or this wasn't run right. I'm very careful about what I say to those guys because their world is complex.”
What about the batted balls at the line and all the sacks?
“I don't know if that's all him. Sometimes it is. Sometimes he's holding it too long, but there were a couple times where it wasn't his fault. Our protection has to do better.”
How long has this season felt to you?
“Like 10 games. I'm going to tell you this right now, and this is a fact, I've enjoyed this season of football, coaching this team, as much as any team I've been a part of coaching. I don't know that I've ever been around a more special group of young people than this group. I mean that. From the seniors down to the freshmen, these guys come to work every day and they truly do try to do what we ask them to do. They go to class. They really do stay out of trouble. We even have a couple of guys that opened up that place (on Marshall Street) and all of a sudden the critics come down on them and you know what, they came into my office on Friday and offered to get away from it and separate themselves because they didn't want to do anything to embarrass the football team. Now I'm going to tell you something, that's why I have loved every minute of coaching the team. Now, I have not liked the results of what have come from it. I think that there's a lot of good football players in that group that need to keep being developed.”