Football Friday - Akron

Syracuse football returns after the bye week to find the Zips from Akron in town.

Mike Williams: Halftime Snack sorely missed #1 during the bye week, dreaming away the days with visions of him soaring high over cornerbacks to snatch footballs from the air.  Walks along Comstock Avenue, clutching a wrinkled snapshot just trying to fill the void.  Low and behold, loud voices and bouncing basketballs slipping through the windows of the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center.  

Which Baller Are You?  The line between football and basketball is blurred on this campus, given the lore of M. Dubz’ dunking ability and that point guard playing quarterback. Halftime Snack felt the hoopsters in the C-Kay might want a chance on gridiron.  Here are some responses:

 “I’d be playing quarterback, too.” – #1 Andy Rautins
 “Man, I’m being either the kicker or the punter; I’m not getting hit.” – #2 Nick Resavy
 “I wanna play wide receiver. I like the ball going up, trying to use my athleticism to go over somebody.” – #11 Scoop Jardine (pictured right, courtesy SUathletics.com) 
“I played tight end and defensive end in high school.” – #21 Arinze Onuaku
 “I was a wide receiver. I’m also a great quarterback., but I didn’t want to learn the fundamentals to it. I didn’t want to learn the drop-backs, the handoffs.” – #25 Brandon Trische

Akron: Facts about the mid-size city in Ohio abound.  
1) King James is from there (Yes, Halftime Snack lives in a LeBron world) 
2) Goodyear, massive tire company, founded in 1898 in East Akron along the Little Cuyahoga River.  Famous blimp bears name, “The Spirit of Akron”
3) National Football League has its Hall of Fame just down the road in Canton
4) Soap Box Derby World Championships held in Akron – first national race was in 1934

BULLISH MARKET:
The clamor to fill the football void drove Halftime Snack over to SU Soccer Stadium to see the local futbol side welcome the sunshine boys from South Florida.  The 10th ranked Bulls plowed through the chilly weather, snapping off a 3-0 victory. Highlight was the second goal, in the 76th minute, when USF’s Sebastian Thuriere rocketed a shop into the upper 90 from just outside the 18-yard.

SLICES: 
    Syracuse 44, Akron 21 – High-scoring action returns to the Dome turf.  Opposing quarterbacks come to Ernie Davis Legends Field without fear of poor field conditions or resistance from the SU defensive backfield. Akron is on its third quarterback this season, freshman Patrick Nicely, and the SU starting signal caller was benched last time out, making the competition open, and free.
    Game of the Week - #13 Penn State at Michigan.  There was a mouthy Notre Dame fan at Cosmo’s talking about how he “finds the Big Ten so boring.”  This isn’t your father’s rumblin’, bumblin’, and stumblin’ conference anymore.  Spreading the offense, running with the QB, scoring in two minutes and gadgetry has made its way north.  Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez only needs two more recruiting classes to re-create his success at West Virginina, but today he has no answer for Daryll Clark and the Nittany Lions.  Penn State 37, Michigan 17.
    Heisman Watch – Colt McCoy takes a lick and keeps on ticking.  Facing the No. 3 defense in the nation, ol’ Colt 45s took Oklahoma’s best shot and came out a winner. Did you think the match-up was unfair with OU’s Sam Bradford getting knocked out early in the game? The well is not dry in Norman: backup Landry Jones knocked two Heisman trophy winners (Bradford, Jason White) and a runner-up (Josh Heupel) from the Sooner record books with a six-touchdown effort in just his second career start.

THEY SAID IT:  “I’m calling the Phillies/Yankees in the World Series.  Another parade on Broad Street,” Scoop Jardine, SU point guard and Philadelphia native.

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