![]() | |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE |
SYRACUSE, New York (Ticker) -- Nate Trout tied his career high with four field goals and safety Quentin Harris had two of Syracuse's four interceptions as the 19th-ranked Orangemen rolled to a 47-17 victory over Tulane. Syracuse (4-1) received strong games from quarterback Madei Williams, running back Dee Brown and wide receiver Pat Woodcock in concluding an impressive four-game homestand that included three blowouts and a narrow loss to No. 5 Michigan. "The offense kept answering the bell until the defense kind of settled down," Syracuse coach Paul Pasqualoni said. "Tulane's offense is very difficult to defend with all the people they run in and with the no-huddle. Their offense is really something." The rout allowed the Orangemen to rest many of their regulars in preparation for Thursday's trip to Big East Conference rival Pittsburgh. "We had the focus and determination to put points on the board," said Williams. Safety Ian McIntosh, who had two interceptions in last weekend's victory over West Virginia, and Harris picked off Patrick Ramsey's first two passes to set up scores. McIntosh, the younger brother of former Orangemen tailback Kyle McIntosh, has intercepted four passes this year. Cornerback Will Allen added his first interception of the season. Ramsey completed 26-of-53 passes for 342 yards and one touchdown for Tulane (2-2). "I'm glad the game is over," said Syracuse defensive coordinator Chris Rippon. "They get you going a million miles an hour. You can't prepare for a game like this." Trout, who also booted four field goals against Tennessee in last year's season opener, connected from 46 yards 1:35 into the game. Harris' interception preluded James Mungro's eight-yard scoring run. Ramsey ran for a three-yard TD with just under five minutes to play in the first quarter but Syracuse answered just over two minutes later as Brown, who carried 15 times for 79 yards, broke loose for a 10-yard score. Tulane answered on the first play of the ensuing possession as Ramsey hit a streaking Kerwin Cook for what turned into an 80-yard scoring play. It was the longest touchdown pass allowed by Syracuse since surrendering an 80-yarder to Pittsburgh in 1975. "This was a good test for our defense," said Orangemen safety Willie Ford. "We know where we are now. "We didn't give up or snap after their big play." After Kyle Johnson's seven-yard TD run for Syracuse early in the second quarter, Seth Marler booted a 29-yard field goal that pulled the Green Wave within 24-17 with 4 1/2 minutes to play in the first half. But Tulane did not score again. Williams hooked up with Woodcock on a 23-yard score and Trout connected from 37 yards as the gun sounded to give the Orangemen a 34-17 advantage heading to the locker room. The field goal made Trout the all-time scoring leader in Syracuse history. His 304 points are eight more than John Biskup, who kicked for the Orangemen from 1989-92. "I thought we had to uphold our end of the bargain today, we had to outscore them," Syracuse offensive coordinator George DeLeone said. "I thought we looked like a much better offense today. For the most part I thought we made some plays. There was more continuity and consistency at the quarterback position." Williams completed 9-of-15 passes for 168 yards without being intercepted and Woodcock hauled in three passes for 75 yards. Troy Nunes was 4-of-7 for 96 yards and tight end Stephen Brominski totaled 71 yards on three receptions. In the second half, field goals of 29 and 37 yards by Trout sandwiched Nunes' two-yard scoring run as the Orangemen turned it into a rout. Syracuse had 507 total yards and held Tulane to just 125 yards on the ground. The Green Wave's John Wilson carried five times for 48 yards.
|