2008 SYRACUSE FOOTBALL SYRACUSE vs. NORTHWESTERN (0-0 overall, 0-0- BIG EAST) (0-0 overall, 0-0 Big Ten) August 30, 2008 • 12:00 p.m. ET • ESPN2 • Ryan Field • Evanston, Ill. ROBINSON RETURNS UNDER CENTER Junior Andrew Robinson returns as the star ng signal-caller for Syracuse a er star ng 11 ORANGE SLICES of 12 games in his sophomore campaign. In his fi rst season as a starter last year, Robinson Orange on Television ORANGE PRIDE recorded 2,192 passing yards (currently fi h best in SU history), 154 comple ons (sixth best), 199.3 yards per game (fi h best) and 13 touchdowns (ninth best) for the Orange last ESPN2 will broadcast Syracuse’s 2008 season- season. Robinson averaged 199.3 yards per game, which is fifth on the single-season list opener at Northwestern. Pam Ward and Ray and the best by a Syracuse sophomore. In his career, Robinson is averaging 138.3 yards per Bentley will call the action. Bryan Ryder is outing, placing him fifth on the SU record list. the producer. RETURNING EXPERIENCE IN THE STARTING LINEUP Orange on Radio Syracuse’s starting units boast 18 players who have lined up with the first-string during Syracuse ISP Sports Network their collegiate career. On offense, center Jim McKenzie, guard Ryan Durand, tackle Corey Voice of the Orange Matt Park ‘97 and former Chavers, quarterback Andrew Robinson, fullback Tony Fiammetta return as starters, in Orange All-American tight end Chris Gedney addition to three tailbacks who have starting experience in senior Curtis Brinkley and ‘93 call the game action and Brian Higgins ‘04 sophomores Delone Carter and Doug Hogue. Five defensive players, including nose tackle provides sideline reports for the Syracuse ISP Arthur Jones, defensive end Vincenzo Giruzzi, linebacker Jake Flaherty, strong safety A.J. Sports Network. Higgins also hosts the pre- Brown and cornerback Mike Holmes return as starters. In the special teams category, the game and post-game shows. Former Orange Orange returns field goal and PAT kicker Patrick Shadle, punter Rob Long, kick returners head coach Dick MacPherson lends insight Max Suter and Mike Holmes and punt returner Ryan Howard. and analysis during the pre- and post-game RELATIVELY NEW FACES ON THE FIRST TEAM shows and at halftime. TK-99.5 FM serves as Syracuse’s 2008 starting lineup includes six players new to the first unit, and six who the flagship for the ISP Sports Network. The have made a couple of starts during their career. The offensive unit includes three with Syracuse ISP Sports Network covers New York, a couple of starts under their belt in tight end Mike Owen, tackle Tucker Baumbach and New Jersey, Vermont and Pennsylvania. wide receiver Donte Davis, while defensive tackle Nick Santiago, linebacker Mike Mele and cornerback Nico Scott have also been on the field for the first snap. Scott is battling Sirius Satellite Radio sophomore Da’Mon Merkerson for the starting role. Davis started two games in 2006. Syracuse game broadcasts are also available on SIRIUS satellite radio (channel 126) FIRST-TIME FIRST-STRINGERS First-time starters include offensive guard Ryan Bartholomew and wide receivers Bruce WAER Williams, Lavar Lobdell and Donte Davis, defensive end Jared Kimmel, linebacker Derrell Located on the SU campus, WAER-FM88 also Smith, free safety Randy McKinnon and cornerback Da’Mon Merkerson, who is battling carries every Orange football game. Nico Scott for the starting spot. Long snapper Max Leo and holder Rob Long are also new to their first-team roles. Orange on the Internet DEPTH CHART NOTES Every Syracuse ISP Sports Network broadcast • Four players are playing on diff erent sides of the ball, including Bruce Williams (FS to WR), is available on the official Syracuse Athletics Ben Maljovec (LB to TE), Paul Chiara (RB to FS), and Da’Mon Merkerson (WR to CB). website – suathletics.com. The site is home UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL 2008 SYRACUSE • There are 17 new addi ons to the fi rst 2008 depth chart, including fi ve true freshmen and of Orange All Access, SU’s multi-media eight redshirt freshmen. package, which features live game webcasts, highlights and news conferences, as well a 2008 SYRACUSE SCHEDULE AND RESULTS post-game show after each home game. Date Opponent Time/Attendance Result (Televison) August 30 at Northwestern 12:00 p.m. ESPN2 The Coaches September 6 AKRON 3:30 p.m. Syracuse: Greg Robinson 13 PENN STATE 3:30 p.m. ABC Overall Record: 7-28 20 NORTHEASTERN 3:30 p.m. Year as a head coach: Fourth 27 PITTSBURGH * 12:00 p.m. BIG EAST Network Record at SU: 7-28 October 4 Open Year at SU: Third 11 at West Virginia * TBA BIG EAST Record: 2-19 18 at South Florida * TBA Alma Mater: University of Pacific ‘75 25 Open November 1 LOUISVILLE * TBA Northwestern: Pat Fitzgerald 8 at Rutgers * TBA Overall Record: 10-14 15 CONNECTICUT * TBA at Northwestern: Same 22 at Notre Dame 2:30 p.m. NBC Year at Northwestern: Third 29 at Cincinnati * 12:00 p.m. BIG EAST Network Alma Mater: Northwestern ‘96 HOME GAMES LISTED IN BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS * Indicates BIG EAST Conference game • All times are Eastern SYRACUSE at NORTHWESTERN • August 30, 2008 (12:00 p.m. ET • ESPN2) • Ryan Field • Evanston, Ill. • ORANGE ELECTS FOUR CAPTAINS Seniors Tony Fiammetta, Jake Flaherty, Patrick Shadle and Bruce Williams were voted ORANGE SLICES by their teammates as captains for the 2008 season. The quartet of seniors join 182 other Syracuse vs. Northwestern Notes Syracuse football players to serve as captains for the Orange football squad. Series Record: Syracuse leads, 4-3-0 (Current Streak: SU, 4) “This year more poeple had votes than any year since I have been here. I take that as a at Syracuse: Syracuse leads, 2-1 (Current Streak: SU, 2) good thing,” said head coach Greg Robinson. “The team selected a great group as captains. at Carrier Dome: SU leads, 2-0 (Current Streak: SU, 2) I am also pleased to see a lot of people looked at as leaders.” at Northwestern: Tied, 2-2 (Current Streak: SU, 1) Neutral: N/A “It’s such an honor,” Shadle said. “When you look at the names of those that have been Last Syracuse Win: 1984 (13-12) captains here before, you have to be impressed and realize the responsibility it carries. I Last Northwestern Win: 1971 (12-6) ORANGE PRIDE look forward to having a leadership role on the team and will use it as extra motivation to Largest Margin of Syracuse Victory: 35 (1983) Largest Margin of Northwestern Victory: 48 (1948) focus and perform the best I can for my teammates.” • Fiammetta is a three-year letterwinner who has played in 33 games at fullback for the Orange. He Top Series Performances returns in 2008 as the starting fullback. Rushing: SU, Joseph Morris 20-172 (9/27/80) • A returning starter at linebacker, Flaherty is also an ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All- NU, Jeff Cohn 11-101 (9/22/79) District Team selection and a three-time member of the BIG EAST All-Academic team. He had 95 Passing: SU, Todd Norley 11-198 (9/17/83) tackles, including 6.5 for a loss of yards, in 2007. NU, Mike Kerrigan 23-269 (9/27/80) • Shadle has been SU’s primary field goal and PAT specialist since his sophomore year. He ranks eighth Receiving: SU, Joseph Morris 3-81 (9/17/83) on the school field goals made record list with 26. He was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist in 2006. NU, Ricky Edwards 9-89 (9/27/80) • Williams returned to the wide receiver position early in pre-season camp after Dan Sheeran suffered a broken fibula. He was a receiver as a true freshman in 2005 and caught four passes for Tale of the Tape – 2007 Final Stats 52 yards. He played safety as a sophomore and junior, recording 16 tackles last season. Williams is SU OFFENSE NU DEFENSE also a punt returner for the Orange. He has 21 returns for 168 yards in his career. 16.4 Scoring 31.0 291.9 Total Yardage 410.5 THE SYRACUSE-NORTHWESTERN SERIES HISTORY 62.8 Rushing Yardage 167.1 Syracuse has won the past four meetings in the series against Northwestern, including 229.2 Passing Yardage 243.4 victories in 1979, 1980, 1983 and 1984. The Wildcats beat the Orange the first three times 63.2 Total Plays 70.5 the teams met, in 1940, 1948 and 1971. 31.3 Rushing Plays 38.0 • 1979: Quarterback Bill Hurley completed 5-of-13 passes for 92 yards and one touchdown to Pro 31.9 Passing Plays 32.5 Football Hall of Famer Art Monk and led the Orange ground game, gaining 156 yards on 25 4.6 Avg. Per Play 5.8 carries and scored two touchdowns. Running back Joe Morris gained 116 yards on 16 carries 2.0 Avg. Per Rush 4.4 and scored a touchdown. Gary Anderson added two field goals in Syracuse’s 54-21 victory. SU 7.2 Avg. Per Pass 7.5 gained 435 yards rushing. 13.6 Avg. Per Catch 11.9 Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Final 1.7 Turnovers 2.2 Syracuse 7 26 14 7 54 Northwestern 7 0 6 8 21 SU DEFENSE NU OFFENSE • 1980: Syracuse’s game against Northwestern was its second in three weeks against a Big Ten 34.8 Scoring 25.8 opponent (SU played Ohio State in the 1980 season-opener). The 2008 Orange open the 468.8 Total Yardage 427.7 season in the same manner, facing the Wildcats in the opener and then hosting Penn State on 207.8 Rushing Yardage 119.8 Sept.