In the Huddle

IN THE

HUDDLE SEPTEMBER 20-21, 2013

HEAVY HEARTTulane’s Lou Groza Award-winning kicker deals with the death of his father. Page 4

BY THE NUMBERSA statistical look at how Syracuse stacks up against Tulane. Page 8

MUST WINSyracuse needs to win on Saturday to stay in the bowl hunt, beat writer Trevor Hass argues. Page 11

SPEEDING UPSyracuse tries to get back to its up-tempo offense against Tulane. Page 3

FROM THE INSIDERSA beat writer from the Tulane Hullabaloo offers his insight on the Green Wave. Page 5

SYRACUSE VS TULANE

NEXT WAVEAfter blowout win, Syracuse tries to move to .500

2 s e p t e m be r 2 0 - 2 1 , 2 0 13 s p o r t s @ d a i l y o r a n g e . c o m

t h e i n d e p e n d e n t s t u d e n t n e w s p a p e r o f s y r a c u s e , n e w y o r k

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front cover photo illustration by jenny jakubowski | staff photographer

DAILYORANGE.COMLast time they playedSyracuse outlasted Tulane in New Orleans.

Paying their respectsFriends and family honored former SU Athletics employee Rob Edson at a funeral on Thursday.

On the beatBeat writers Stephen Bailey, Trevor Hass and David Wilson break down Syracuse- Tulane.

Check dailyorange.com for weekend coverage and follow @DOsports on Twitter for up-to-the-minute content.

Sports Editor David WilsonPresentation Director Lizzie HartPhoto Editor Chase GaewskiAsst. Sports Editor Stephen BaileyAsst. Sports Editor Trevor HassAsst. Photo Editor Sam MallerDesign Editor Lindsay DawsonAsst. Copy Editor Phil D’AbbraccioAsst. Copy Editor Jesse Dougherty

General Manager Peter WaackIT Director Mike EscalanteIT Support Lars NielsenIT Support Matthew HawkinsBusiness Intern Tim BennettAdvertising Design Manager Abby LeggeAdvertising Manager William LeonardAdvertising Representative Mike FriedmanAdvertising Representative Carolina GarciaAdvertising Representative Gonzalo GarciaAdvertising Representative Emily MyersAdvertising Representative Elaina PowlessAdvertising Representative Ada TuremisAdvertising Representative Paula VallinaAdvertising Designer Olivia AccardoAdvertising Designer Andi BurgerAdvertising Intern Lidia MedinaAdvertising Copywriter Sarah CooksonCirculation Manager Jared CucinottaStudent Circulation Manager Michael Hu

By David WilsonSPORTS EDITOR

T he offense has only come in flashes for Syracuse.

It first surfaced on the opening drive of the second half in Evanston, Ill., when Drew Allen marched Syracuse down the field on nine plays for a touchdown against then-No. 19 Northwestern.

But not again until the fourth drive against Wagner. This time Terrel Hunt came on at quar-terback. He strung together 12 plays lasting 4:44 for the first touchdown of what would become an offensive stampede for Syracuse.

“I heard we were going through an identity crisis,” running back Jerome Smith said.

With a new quarterback and a Football Championship Series opponent in the fold, the identity-less Orange put on an offensive clinic, pouring on 54 points in a shutout win over the Seahawks. Now, the offense finally has some momentum as it heads into Saturday’s matchup with Tulane at 12:30 p.m. in the Carrier Dome.

In the seven drives that Hunt manned the

offense against Wagner, SU had a rare pace about it. In the season opener, the offense couldn’t find any semblance of a rhythm. The next week, some of the kinks were gone — but only briefly.

As Hunt replaced Allen after three posses-sions on Saturday, the offense did what it was supposed to.

“We all huddled up and said, ‘Hey, let’s get on the same page. Let’s go take care of business,’” Smith said.

That meant less time between snaps. Against Penn State, Syracuse ran one play every 23.7 seconds. Against the Wildcats, that number was down to 20.6.

During Hunt’s one drive against NU, the Orange snapped the ball every 14.9 seconds. His first drive against Wagner was a methodical one, but after that he was already running the offense at a similar pace as Allen was.

“It’s all about tempo and it’s knowing our assignments while moving fast, and that’s what we did,” said H-back Ashton Broyld, “so we got to continue to get better at that.”

That was the identity SU had last year, and

the one it’s still trying to perfect this year. In 2012, Syracuse was one of the most up-tempo teams in the nation, ranking in the top 20 in plays per game.

It all led to one of the most prolific offenses in SU history. Having Ryan Nassib, Alec Lemon and Marcus Sales certainly helped, but it was the sum of the parts and how well the unit exe-cuted that made it elite.

In 2012, Syracuse averaged more than 80 plays per game, even after struggling for the first four weeks of the season.

This year’s Orange team isn’t far behind that mark, but the rout of Wagner skews that average up a bit to 78.6.

When SU finally hits its stride this season, head coach Scott Shafer would like this year’s version of Syracuse to be even faster — 80-85 plays per game is his ultimate goal.

“Once we really get this thing going,” Shafer said.

At times the Orange has shown what an efficient machine it has the potential to be. The running backs are dashing through holes. The wide receivers are running their routes

and the quarterback — whoever it is — hits them in stride.

Even Allen, now the backup, executed per-haps the best drive of the season to open the second half against NU. SU scored just 2:28 seconds into the third quarter, snapping the ball every 16.4 seconds.

The Northwestern defense was caught off balance and Syracuse scored with ease.

Sets like those came all too infrequently, but Shafer is already seeing a difference. He’s seen them improve each week — it’s evident on film and on the stat sheet.

“We had a lot of new pieces and parts, a lot of new faces, a lot of new names replacing a lot of very good players that broke a lot of records here,” Shafer said. “We knew it would be a process.”

The explosion only came against an FCS foe, but it was a tuneup that the Orange should have had all along.

While most teams were starting against weaker competition, SU faced a pair of Big 10 opponents. When most of the nation was shift-ing to stiffer games, Syracuse was still search-ing for its identity.

It’s not quite firm yet, but now the Orange at least knows what it is.

“We caught a rhythm as an offense and it led into Saturday,” Broyld said. “We just got comfortable. We’re getting the hang of things.

“We’re not where we want to be. We want to just feel that we can do that every day. We have a long way to go, but we’re going to get there. Slowly but surely.”

[email protected]

@DBWilson2

NEED FOR SPEEDSyracuse seeks up-tempo offense against Tulane

ziniu chen | staff photographerJEROME SMITH and the rest of the Syracuse offense looks to pick up the pace against Tulane. Scott Shafer plans for the Orange to run 80-85 plays against the Green Wave.

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By Sam BlumSTAFF WRITER

C airo Santos lined up his kick and booted it through the uprights. It was the most important kick of his career, and it didn’t

even count. It was during the last practice of fall

camp during Santos’ freshman season, right before Tulane’s first game. Santos and Ryan Rome were in a heated competition for the starting job. Santos made all his attempts, and Rome did not.

“It really humbles me that it came down to that one day, that one practice that I did better,”

Santos said. “You never know what can happen with that one kick. That was one moment in my freshman year that was really defining.”

Santos has come a long way since that moment. Now a senior kicker for Tulane, he won the Lou Groza Award last year for the nation’s best kicker. He went 21-for-21 on field-goal attempts last season, including a 57-yarder, and has yet to miss one in 2013.

But Santos will enter Saturday’s game with a heavy heart. He learned Monday that his father, a stunt pilot, was killed in a plane crash the day before while in Brazil. Santos traveled home Monday for his father’s funeral on Tuesday. San-tos’ host father David Burnett and special teams coach Barry Lamb both said he plans to be ready to play against Syracuse in the Carrier Dome.

“I do believe it’s going to mean more to him,” Burnett said. “It’s going to be a struggle. Flying to Brazil and back and showing up on Friday to try and play football, but I do believe it will kind of be in remembrance of his father, and his father would want him to be there.”

If Santos does play against the Orange, it will be another defining moment in a football career that, six years ago, seemed improbable.

He came to the United States from Brazil as a 15-year-old soccer-playing high school sopho-more with limited English skills and no back-ground in football.

When he first arrived with his host fam-ily in St. Augustine, Fla., as part of an exchange program, Santos said he was very homesick. He wanted to be in contact with his parents and

sister, Talita, all the time. “It was a lot harder. When we first started,

when I was 15, that first one or two months it was really hard,” Santos said. “I wanted to Skype them or call them almost every day.”

While Santos has been in the United States, the Burnetts have acted as a second family. He was only supposed to stay a year with a program that was designed to help him learn English. Now he speaks the language fluently.

Even though Santos came for English, he stayed for football — a sport he knew nothing about when he arrived in America.

After his friends saw him kick a football, they encouraged him to try out for the team midway though the season. When his high school coach saw him make a 50-yarder, he said he had the opportunity to turn his right foot into a college scholarship.

“My coaches told me when I tried out that I had range,” Santos said. “I could already kick from 50 yards. They told me that was impressive and something that would be very easy to get a scholarship to if you have the talent and performance.”

About midway through his sophomore sea-son of high school, Santos asked his host fam-ily if he could stay another year. The Burnetts didn’t need to think twice. He ended up sticking around for his last three years of high school and continues to spend all of his vacations from school with them.

“He asked if we would consider taking him

After improbable path to Division-I kicking, Santos deals with sudden death of father

courtesy of tulane athleticsCAIRO SANTOS earned college football’s award for best kicker last year and has drilled field goals from as far as 57 yards deep, but his status is in doubt for Saturday’s game.

LEGGING IT OUT

SEE SANTOS PAGE 16


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By Stephen BaileyASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Syracuse hosts Tulane on Saturday, in search of its second straight home win. The Daily Orange spoke with David Holden, a beat writer for the Tulane Hullabaloo, about Green Wave (2-1) celebrities Nick Montana and Nico Marley, as well as how Tulane’s offensive scheme matches up with the Orange (1-2).

The Daily Orange: How has Nick Montana handled the role of starting quarterback on and off the field?

David Holden: He seems to be improving each game. His first game looked a little skit-tish, but his last two games have looked much better. He’s beginning to develop a really good rapport with Ryan Grant, and he looks really good throwing the deep ball. As for his personality, even though he’s only been here maybe half a semester, he’s already a pretty vocal leader on the team. I talked to a few of the players Wednesday and they were saying that he’s definitely the most vocal on the offense and he’s definitely leading the huddle and he’s got a pretty good command of what’s going on on the offensive side of the ball.The D.O.: Grant seems to be the strongest offensive threat. What are some of his strengths and how does he mesh with Montana?

D.H.: Grant is probably the best player on Tulane. Right now he’s really quick. He cuts in and out of his breaks ridiculously fast. Teams are having to double cover him to be able to stop

him. Right now the deep ball is doing really well, especially with Montana. They’re hooking up three or four times a game, throwing the ball deep. And the run after the catch, he’s always been really good at that. Grant is definitely Montana’s go-to guy. I think he was targeted probably 10 times or more a game, and Montana has really developed a good rapport with him. And Montana doesn’t really seem to have that with any other receiver.The D.O.: I know Tulane was very pass-heavy last year, as no running back accrued even 300 yards. Is the team making more of an effort to run the ball?

D.H.: I would definitely say they’re trying to run the ball more. Both Orleans Darkwa and Rob Kelley have actually done a pretty good job this year. They both are combined for 300 yards already, which is much better than it was last year. It’s still not to the point where I’m sure coaches would like it to be, but they’re definitely trying to run the ball more. In the second game, they were down quite a bit so they kind of abandoned the run in that game, but other than that the run game has looked really well. They’ve rushed for over 100 yards in two of the three games, but Montana has passed probably too much already this year. In Week 2 he passed for the most passes he’s ever attempted in any game at any level so they definitely need to cut back passing the ball a little more.The D.O.: What have you heard about Cairo Santos regarding his status for the game and how do you see the game playing out differ-

ently if he’s not able to play?D.H.: I haven’t heard anything about his sta-

tus. I went to a press conference Tuesday, and right now they’re not sure if he’s going to play in Saturday’s game.

Curtis Johnson wouldn’t reveal how far his replacement could kick so I think it’ll definitely have an effect on the game when you can rely on Santos to hit from 50-plus yards, as opposed to Steven Broccoli, who might not be able to hit from 40.The D.O.: What’s your take on Nico Marley? Is he getting playing time as a

freshman linebacker?D.H.: I think he’s a pretty quiet guy right

now. He’s a freshman. He’s only been here for a few weeks, and I think he’s just starting to get acclimated to the team. I think it’s definitely shown in his play. The first game he didn’t look quite right out there, but in the last two games he’s played more and he’s played a lot better. He got a fumble recovery last week and he’s really solidified the linebacking corps, a group that’s looked pretty poor at times this year.

[email protected]

@stephen_bailey1

Q&A with Green Wave beat writer David Holden of Tulane Hullabaloo


JOHNNY MANZIEL63-for-89, 984 yards, 11 TD, 3 Int

Although drama may follow him off the field, Manziel’s early-season, on-field produc-tion behind center is undeniable. In just 2.5 games, he’s already thrown 11 touchdowns — nearly halfway to the 26 he tossed in his Heisman-winning freshman season. Even with the 49-42 loss to top-ranked Alabama on Saturday, Manziel was still the most impressive player on the field. Love him or hate him, Manziel will always be a Heisman Trophy candidate as long as he’s wearing a Texas A&M uniform.

TAJH BOYD56-for-90, 687 yards, 6 TD, 0 Int

Syracuse will get a pretty good look at just how legitimate a Heisman contender Boyd is when it hosts the Tigers on Oct. 5. Boyd led Clemson to two quick wins to start the sea-son, including an upset of then-No. 5 Geor-gia. In that game he threw for three touch-downs and rushed for two more. Boyd’s abil-ity to throw and run the football will help give him a leg up in a season where quarterbacks rule the Heisman landscape.

TEDDY BRIDGEWATER62-for-88, 1,002 yards, 10 TD, 1 Int

The junior has thrown for more than 1,000 yards after Louisville’s first three games. Against Ohio in Week 1, he completed 82.1 percent of his passes to uphold his reputa-tion as one of the most accurate passers in

college football. Unfortunately for Bridgewa-ter, a sloppy Week 3 performance against Kentucky did him no favors in the Heisman race. And with Louisville boasting just the country’s 90th most difficult schedule, Bridgewater will need consistent blowouts to solidify his candidacy.

MARCUS MARIOTA49-for-82, 889 yards, 7 TD, 0 Int

Mariota was at the back of the conversa-tion when the season started. Three weeks later, he is must-see TV. The sophomore is the nation’s 35th best rusher — as a quar-terback. That’s the second-best for a signal caller behind Brigham Young’s Taysom Hill. The Hawaiian Mariota averages 17.5 yards

HEISMAN WATCH

courtesy of clemson athleticsTAJH BOYD has made an early case for this season’s Heisman Trophy, leading Clemson to a victory over then-No. 5 Georgia in the Tigers’ season opener. Boyd has yet to throw an interception while spearheading No. 3 Clemson to a 4-0 record to start the year.

SEE HEISMAN PAGE 16

@dosports


POINTS PER GAME

POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME

RUSHING YARDS GAINED PER GAME

PASSING YARDS GAINED PER GAME

TOTAL OFFENSIVE YARDS PER GAME

RUSHING YARDS ALLOWED PER GAME

PASSING YARDS ALLOWED PER GAME

TOTAL YARDS ALLOWED PER GAME

32.3

21.0

110.7

237.3

348.0

134.7

235.3

370

32.67

23.67

146.7

283.0

429.7

105.3

235.0

340.3

QUICKHITSASSOCIATEDPRESSTOP25POLL

1. ALABAMA 2. OREGON 3. CLEMSON 4. OHIO STATE 5. STANFORD

5. STANFORD

6. Louisiana State7. Louisville8. Florida State9. Georgia10. Texas A&M

11. Oklahoma State12. South Carolina13. UCLA14. Oklahoma15. Michigan

16. Miami (Fla.)17. Washington18. Northwestern19. Florida20. Baylor

21. Ole Miss22. Notre Dame23. Arizona State24. Wisconsin25. Texas Tech

USATODAYCOACHESPOLL

1. ALABAMA 2. OREGON 3. OHIO STATE 4. CLEMSON

6. Louisville7. Louisiana State8. Florida State9. Texas A&M10. Georgia

11. Oklahoma State12. Oklahoma13. South Carolina14. Michigan15. UCLA

16. Northwestern17. Miami (Fla.)18. Florida19. Baylor20. Washington

21. Notre Dame22. Ole Miss23. Arizona State24. Michigan State25. Fresno State

POLLS


STARTING LINEUPS

DID YOU KNOW?

RYAN GRANTWR

Grant is far and away Tulane’s most potent offensive weapon and we’ve seen Lyn struggle against talented wideouts twice already this year.

MARQUIS SPRUILLLB

NICK MONTANAQB

Montana is the crux of Tulane’s pass-happy offense. He’s thrown the ball 97 times in just three games for 706 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions.

SYRACUSE OFFENSIVE LINE

TULANE DEFENSIVE LINE

Smith has five touchdowns through three games this year. He’ll look to add to that total against an inconsistent Green Wave linebacking corps that features reggae legend Bob Marley’s grandson.

JEROME SMITHRB

NICO MARLEYLB

The Tulane front four includes two senior Loui-siana State transfers as well as Julius Warms-ley, who Scott Shafer noted in his press confer-ence Thursday.

SATURDAY, 12:30 P.M., MSG PLUS

THEY SAID IT

UP NEXT >>

8

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26

93 52 96 94

38 11 35

328

2 35

486

20

92 90

57

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595560 68 72

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SYRACUSE VS. TULANE

TULANE OFFENSE11 QB NICK MONTANA26 TB ORLEANS DARKWA28 FB ROB KELLEY80 WR JUSTYN SHACKLEFORD3 WR RYAN GRANT88 TE MATT MARFISI68 LT ARTURO UZDAVINIS66 LG NATHAN SHIENLE65 C ZACH MORGAN72 RG RIO MARES78 RT TODD JACQUET

TULANE DEFENSE48 DE ROYCE LAFRANCE92 DT JULIUS WARMSLEY94 NT CHRIS DAVENPORT90 DE JEREMY PEEPLES57 MLB ZACH DAVIS20 WLB NICO MARLEY13 NKL DERRICK STROZIER22 CB JORDAN SULLEN35 SS SAM SCOFIELD2 FS DARION MONROE6 CB LORENZO DOSS

94

Syracuse is going for the 700th victory in program history, which is 15th all time among Football Bowl Subdivision schools.

Tulane’s victory over Louisiana Tech last week was its first win in a Conference USA opener since 2005.

In a series dating back to 1975, Syracuse leads Tulane 7-1. The Green Wave’s only win came in 1990, when it beat the Orange 26-24.

Tulane quarterback Nick Montana is the son of NFL great Joe Montana.

Tulane linebacker Nico Marley is the grandson of reggae legend Bob Marley.

CLEMSONOct. 5, TBD

AT NC STATEOct. 12, TBD

SYRACUSE OFFENSE10 QB TERREL HUNT45 RB JEROME SMITH1 H-Back ASHTON BROYLD88 WR JARROD WEST18 WR CHRISTOPHER CLARK85 TE BECKETT WALES60 LT SEAN HICKEY55 LG ROB TRUDO59 C MACKY MACPHERSON68 RG NICK ROBINSON72 RT IVAN FOY

28

SYRACUSE ON OFFENSE

TULANE ON OFFENSE

KEON LYNCB

“We just got comfortable. We’re getting the hang of things. The little things, which are going to make us a better team, we kind of figured out what they were. We were able to move the ball.”

Ashton BroyldSYRACUSE H-BACK

“He definitely came in with a game plan. He wanted to do things. He did everything he was supposed to do and got out with a win.”

Jerome SmithSYRACUSE RUNNING BACK ON QUARTERBACK TERREL HUNT


SATURDAY, 12:30 P.M., MSG PLUS

SYRACUSE VS. TULANE

TULANE OFFENSE11 QB NICK MONTANA26 TB ORLEANS DARKWA28 FB ROB KELLEY80 WR JUSTYN SHACKLEFORD3 WR RYAN GRANT88 TE MATT MARFISI68 LT ARTURO UZDAVINIS66 LG NATHAN SHIENLE65 C ZACH MORGAN72 RG RIO MARES78 RT TODD JACQUET

BEAT WRITER PREDICTIONS

80

9

22

85 88

SYRACUSE DEFENSE93 DE MICAH ROBINSON52 NT ERIC CRUME96 DT JAY BROMLEY94 DE ROBERT WELSH35 OLB DYSHAWN DAVIS11 MLB MARQUIS SPRUILL38 OLB CAMERON LYNCH8 CB KEON LYN3 SS DURRELL ESKRIDGE28 FS JEREMI WILKES9 CB RI’SHARD ANDERSON

AT GEORGIA TECHOct. 19, TBD

83.3Terrel Hunt’s completion percentage in

Saturday’s win over Wagner.

116Receiving yards per game for Tulane

wide receiver Ryan Grant through three games this year.

712-332Ratio of Tulane’s total passing yards to

rushing yards.

11Sacks allowed by Tulane’s offensive

line.

57Career long field goal made by Tulane kicker Cairo Santos, whose status is

questionable for Saturday.

DAVID WILSONSyracuse 38, Tulane 28

Hang 10Syracuse keeps its offen-

sive rhythm with Terrel Hunt in the fold as the

Orange outlasts Tulane in a slightly more crowded Car-

rier Dome.

Trevor HassSyracuse 24, Tulane 20Barely riding the Wave

Syracuse squeaks by Tulane with a late-game score.

Nick Montana’s feet may be quick like Joe’s, but they

won’t be quick enough to scamper by the SU defense.

Stephen BaileySyracuse 30, Tulane 20

Riders on the stormTerrel Hunt cements himself as Syracuse’s starting quar-

terback with a strong late-game performance.

SYRACUSE ON OFFENSE

TULANE ON OFFENSE


HURRICANES BACK FOR MORE STORMINGFew teams in the Atlantic Coast Confer-

ence made a statement as strong as Miami (Fla.) did in the opening weeks of the college football season.

On Sept. 7, the Hurricanes upset then-No. 12 Florida – UM’s in-state rival – 21-16 in a gritty home performance.

Quarterback Stephen Morris threw a couple of first-quarter touchdown passes to put Miami ahead early. As the Gators fought their way back

into the game in the fourth, the Hurricanes defense responded.

With less than four minutes remaining in the game, Tyriq McCord sacked Florida quar-terback Jeff Driskel and knocked the ball loose, and the Hurricanes were first to jump on it. Miami took over at the Gators’ 4-yard line and punched it in a few plays later to extend its lead.

The Gators have now dropped to No. 19 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, while the Hurri-canes sit at No. 16. Miami hosts Savannah State

this weekend.

TIGERS POSE NATIONAL THREATIf there’s any ACC team that the rest of the league should fear, it’s Clemson.

In college football’s first marquee game of the season, the Tigers defended their home turf against then-No. 5 Georgia, which, a year ago, nearly upset eventual national champion Alabama in the Southeastern Con-ference title game.

All of Clemson’s weapons were on display against the Bulldogs. Quarterback Tajh Boyd, who has already entered his name into the Heis-man Trophy discussion, totaled 312 yards, three touchdowns in the air and two on the ground. Running back Roderick McDowell averaged 6.0 yards per carry in a 132-yard performance.

Arguably most impressive of all was the speed Sammy Watkins showed off when he hauled in a pass from Boyd, trucked over a defensive back and out-sprinted the rest of the Georgia secondary for a 77-yard touchdown.

Although the Tigers’ No. 2 receiver, Char-one Peake, just went down for the season with a torn ACL, expect No. 3 Clemson to remain the ACC favorite and a national contender down the stretch.

The Tigers opened ACC play at North Caro-lina State on Thursday night.

OFFENSE NOT AN ISSUE FOR SEMINOLESEven after losing E.J. Manuel, a first-round pick in the NFL Draft and now the Buffalo Bills’ starting quarterback, Florida State’s offense hasn’t missed a beat.

A year ago, Manuel threw for nearly 3,400 yards with 23 touchdowns to 10 interceptions, leading FSU to a Discover Orange Bowl victory over Northern Illinois.

But this year, FSU has exploded out of the gate to score 103 points through just two games, blowout wins over Pittsburgh and Nevada, thanks in great part to quarterback Jameis Winston.

After 45 passing attempts, the 6-foot-4 true freshman has thrown more touchdowns than incomplete passes. His quarterback rating of 234.8 is easily the best in the conference and ranks second in the country.

In the Monday night matchup with the Panthers, Winston put on a clinic by complet-ing 25-of-27 passes for 356 yards, four touch-down passes and not a single interception. He’s also shown the ability to use his legs to make plays by rushing for two touchdowns thus far.

On Saturday, FSU returns to action when it hosts a 3-0 Bethune-Cookman team that is coming off a three-touchdown beating of Florida International.

MARYLAND OFF TO STRONG STARTEven in a conference with three Top 25 teams, unranked Maryland is the first ACC team to win three games this season.

The Terps cruised past Florida International and Old Dominion before taking on Connecti-cut, which took a 7-0 lead early in the game. But from there it was all UMD. After quarter one, Maryland outscored the Huskies 32-14 to keep its slate clean.

Quarterback C.J. Brown leads the ACC with 833 passing yards. He’s thrown six touchdown passes and ran for five, which are both tied for best in the league.

Stefon Diggs has emerged as Brown’s favorite target and has already become one of the confer-ence’s top wideouts. The sophomore receiver has racked up 387 receiving yards, tops in the ACC, and his three touchdown receptions are tied for first.

But the Terps face their toughest opponent yet when they face West Virginia in Baltimore on Saturday.

—Compiled by Phil D’Abbraccio, asst. copy editor, [email protected]

AROUND THE ACCA brief look at Syracuse’s new conference opponents

s e p t e m be r 2 0 - 2 1 , 2 0 13 1 1s p o r t s @ d a i l y o r a n g e . c o m

T R E V O R H A S S

with no regard for human life

Syracuse must defeat Tulane to keep bowl hopes alive with tough ACC schedule aheadBy Trevor HassASST. SPORTS EDITOR

S yracuse started last season 1-3, sur-rendering 118 points through four games. The future looked bleak, and

with games against South Florida, Louisville and Missouri on the horizon, a bowl game appeared to be a longshot.

But the Orange won all three of those games, bouncing back from a sluggish start and finishing the regular season 7-5. Riding high into Yankee Stadium, Syracuse clobbered West Virginia 38-14 in the Pinstripe Bowl.

The Orange completed a similar 1-3 turnaround in 1997 when Donovan McNabb sparked the Orange to a 9-4 record and a Big East regular-season championship.

The 1-3 start didn’t matter in ’97 or in 2012. Both of those teams were anchored by dominant, experienced quarterbacks and were chock-full of talented players. This year’s team has a shot to earn a bowl appearance, but it’s not capable of digging itself out of a 1-3 hole. At 1-2 now, Syracuse will need to beat Tulane on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. in the Carrier Dome to keep its postseason hopes alive. Upcoming games against the likes of No. 3 Clemson and No. 8 Florida State make this tuneup crucial.

Syracuse running back Devante McFarlane bobbed his head when asked if this game is a must-win in order to make a bowl game.

“I believe so,” McFarlane said. “We should win this game, but it’s going to take a lot of hard work.”

Listen, I hate the must-win deal as much as the next guy. Saying a baseball game in June is a must-win is preposterous. But in this case, this game is actually a must-win. Because there are only 12 games in the col-lege football season, even the fourth game of the season is critical.

Saturday’s matchup is a crossroads for Syracuse. Win, and SU is back at .500 entering conference play after a tough loss to Penn State and a sloppy performance against North-western. Lose, and the Orange is 1-3 and star-ing face-to-face with goliath Clemson in SU’s first-ever Atlantic Coast Conference game.

This game is pivotal and definitely win-nable. Tulane lost to South Alabama. South Alabama lost to Southern Utah. Southern Utah lost by 38 to Washington State. You get the picture.

There’s nothing mind-blowingly impres-sive about the Green Wave. Syracuse is a 14.5-point favorite for a reason. Tulane throws the ball a lot. Its defense is OK. It plays a relatively easy schedule and Syra-cuse is one of its toughest tests.

For Syracuse, though, Tulane is one of its easiest opponents. On paper, it should be a win. After Tulane and a bye week, Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Tajh Boyd and Clemson come stomping into the Carrier Dome. Then SU travels down to North Caro-lina State and Georgia Tech. Both of those games will be in hostile environments against quality teams.

If SU is 1-6 heading into a home matchup with Wake Forest, a bowl game is out of the question with Florida State and Maryland on tap.

But Scott Shafer denied the notion that Saturday’s matchup is a must-win in order to make a bowl game.

“No,” Shafer said. “Every game’s a must-win.”

Shafer has preached the philosophy “don’t you change” all season. He was proud of his defense and the entire team for staying resolute last season. Instead of altering its approach and getting discouraged, Syracuse

stayed grounded and continued to do what it had been doing.

The results came in a whirlwind. This year, though, not changing will be difficult if Syracuse drops this game. Penciling in Clem-son, NC State and Georgia Tech as losses, SU simply can’t afford to lose against Tulane.

In ’97, Syracuse had Keith Bulluck at linebacker and Quinton Spotwood at wide

receiver to help McNabb, who had his No. 5 jersey retired by the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night.

In 2012, Ryan Nassib commanded an offense led by superb route runners Alec Lemon and Marcus Sales.

This year, the nucleus isn’t bad. Terrel Hunt glistened against Wagner, but that was Wagner. Jerome Smith and Ashton Broyld have been steady options to start the season, but the overall talent pool just isn’t enough, especially considering the talent SU is up against in the near future.

Don’t expect a Syracuse blowout on Satur-day. The Green Wave isn’t great, but it ain’t too shabby, either. A win is all the Orange needs to keep its dream at a bowl appearance alive.

[email protected]

@TrevorHass

Year: 2007 Started: 1-3Finished: 2-10

Year: 2008 Started: 1-3 Finished: 3-9

Year: 2009 Started: 2-2 Finished: 4-8




OUT OF THE GATESU’s starts to seasons haven’t neces-sarily coincided with how they end.

1 2 s e p t e m be r 2 0 - 2 1 , 2 0 13 s p o r t s @ d a i l y o r a n g e . c o m

“The only win we’ve had so far is Wagner, which is a little sad. So we have to pick it up. New conference, new year, let’s go.” Molly Smith

SOPHOMORE BROADCAST AND DIGITAL JOURNALISM AND FINANCE MAJOR

“Every game is a must win-for Syracuse.”

Amanda HickokFRESHMAN CHEMISTRY MAJOR

P E R S P E C T I V E Sby jesse dougherty | asst. copy editor

photos by sam maller | asst. photo editor

Is Saturday a must-win game for Syracuse?

“Definitely. They beat Wagner and that doesn’t even count.” Brandon Smorto

SENIOR SELECTED STUDIES IN EDUCATION MAJOR

“Of course, we’re 1-2. If we want to compete in the ACC we need to prove ourselves.”

Austin WentworthSOPHOMORE FINANCE MAJOR

s e p t e m be r 2 0 - 2 1 , 2 0 13 1 3s p o r t s @ d a i l y o r a n g e . c o m

WHIRLWIND JOURNEY LANDS BABERS AT EASTERN ILLINOISBy Sam Blum

STAFF WRITER

Dino Babers didn’t think he would ever become a head coach. In the course of 27 years, Babers was an assistant at 12 different schools, teaching six different positions. His dream of being the leading man was dwin-dling with every snap.

“I always lived my life from a very young age to be a head football coach,” Babers said. “It was something that I always worked and strived to be. But after I left UCLA, I kind of gave up on that. I kind of said, ‘I’m getting too old, this is obviously not going to happen for me.’”

It wasn’t until before the 2012 season that Babers finally got the call that would thrust him into a head coaching position. Bob Spoo was retiring after 25 years as the Eastern Illinois head coach, and the school wanted to interview Babers as a replacement. Babers had been on the staff for Spoo’s first season as head coach in 1987 and welcomed the consideration.

Last season, he inherited an EIU team that endured two consecutive 2-9 seasons. In his first season, the Panthers finished 7-5 and won the Ohio Valley Conference with a 6-1 in-conference record. A year later, Eastern Illinois is 3-0 and

courtesy of eastern illinois athleticsDINO BABERS has resurrected an EIU program that was struggling when he took over. Before EIU, he had never been a head coach in his 27-year coaching career.

SEE BABERS PAGE 16

1 4 s e p t e m be r 2 0 - 2 1 , 2 0 13 s p o r t s @ d a i l y o r a n g e . c o m

No. Name Pos. HT. WT. CL. Hometown/High School1 Ashton Broyld RB 6-4 211 So. Rochester, N.Y./Rush Henrietta HS/ Milford Academy 2 Quinta Funderburk WR 6-3 201 Jr. Norfolk, Va./Oscar F. Smith 2 Wayne Morgan CB 5-10 197 So. Brooklyn, N.Y./Erasmus Hall Campus 3 Durell Eskridge FS 6-3 207 So. Miami, Fla./Miami Central 3 Mitch Kimble QB 6-3 195 Fr. Jerseyville, Ill./Jersey Community 4 Brandon Reddish CB 5-11 186 Jr. Brooklyn, N.Y./Fort Hamilton 5 Luke Arciniega LB 6-2 241 Jr. Sparks, NV/Spanish Springs 5 Austin Wilson QB 6-3 211 Fr. Camp Hill, Pa./East Pennsboro 6 Ritchy Desir SS 5-11 187 Jr. North Miami Beach, Fla./North Miami Beach 7 Troy Green QB 6-0 184 Fr. Skaneateles, N.Y./Skaneateles 7 Oliver Vigille LB 6-2 220 So. Miami, Fla./Miami Central 8 Drew Allen QB 6-5 226 Sr. San Antonio, Texas/Alamo Heights 8 Keon Lyn CB 6-1 201 Sr. Miramar, Fla./Miramar HS9 Ri’Shard Anderson CB 6-0 190 Sr. Miramar, Fla./American Heritage 10 Terrel Hunt QB 6-3 219 So. Rosedale, N.Y./ Christ the King11 Marquis Spruill LB 6-1 224 Sr. Hillside, N.J./Hillside HS12 Ryan Norton K 5-11 179 So. Garden City, N.Y./Garden City13 Corey Winfield WR 6-0 180 Fr. St. Louis, Mo./Riverview Gardens 14 John Kinder WR 6-2 187 Jr. Inwood, N.Y./Lawrence HS15 Chauncey Scissum DB 6-1 199 Fr. West Henrietta, N.Y./Rush-Henrietta16 Keenan Hale WR 6-2 190 So. Conyers, Ga./The McCallie School17 Charley Loeb QB 6-4 220 Sr. Hollis, N.H./Lawrence Academy18 Christopher Clark WR 5-11 160 Sr. Los Angeles, Calif./Venice/East LA College 18 Darius Kelly DB 5-10 190 Jr. Sierra Vista, Ariz./Buena Vista19 Joe Nassib CB 5-9 180 Sr. Newtown Square, Pa./The Haveford School20 Noah Douglas DB 6-0 168 Fr. Montclair, N.J./Montclair 20 Brisly Estime WR 5-9 176 Fr. Delray Beach, Fla./Atlantic Community 21 Julian Whigham CB 6-1 187 So. West Palm Beach, Fla./Dwyer22 Adrian Fleming WR 6-3 200 Sr. Ashburn, Va./Broad Run HS23 Prince-Tyson Gulley RB 5-10 190 Sr. Akron, Ohio/Garfield Senior HS24 Jaston George CB 5-10 175 So. Chesapeake, Va./Oscar F. Smith25 Eric Jackson DB 5-7 160 So. Inglewood, Calif./Pacific Palisades 25 Jeremiah Kobena WR 6-0 182 Jr. Harlem, N.Y./Cardinal Hayes26 Josh Mims DB 6-0 187 Jr. Syracuse, N.Y./Nottingham27 Josh Kirkland LB 6-2 204 Jr. Paxico, Kan./St Mary’s27 George Morris II RB 6-0 203 RF Lawrenceville, Ga./Central Gwinnett 28 Jeremi Wilkes FS 5-9 179 Sr. Tampa, Fla./Tampa Catholic HS29 Devante McFarlane RB 6-0 201 RF Wheatley Heights, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills West30 Steve Rene RB 5-7 187 Sr. Brooklyn, N.Y./Canarsie HS31 Clay Cleveland FB 6-1 230 Sr. Boxford, Mass./Phillips Academy 32 Travon Burke FB 6-1 245 Jr. Syracuse, N.Y./Corcoran 33 Marqez Hodge LB 5-11 208 Fr. Miami, Fla./Miami Central34 Adonis Ameen-Moore FB 5-11 239 Jr. Denver, Colo./Mullen35 Dyshawn Davis LB 6-2 220 Jr. Woodbury, N.J./Woodbury36 Macauley Hill WR 6-0 205 Jr. Port Huron, Mich./Port Huron Northern37 Ross Krautman K 5-7 160 Sr. Franklin Lakes, N.J./Ramapo HS38 Cameron Lynch LB 5-11 230 Jr. Lawrenceville, Ga./Brookwood39 Eric Anthony DB 5-11 199 Fr. Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker39 Greg Tobias RB 5-10 175 Sr. Sicklerville, N.J./St. Augustine Prep40 Zachary McCarrell LB 5-11 201 Sr. Orlando, Fla./Lake Highland41 Lewellyn Coker LB 6-1 230 Sr. Warren, Ohio/Warren G. Harding HS42 Jacob Green TE 6-1 245 So. Seattle, Wash./Seattle Prep42 Joe Stanard DB 5-9 179 Fr. Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker43 Franklin Santos WR 5-10 175 Jr. Providence, R.I./Classical HS45 Jerome Smith RB 6-0 226 Jr. Bear, Del./Pencader Charter 46 Jonathan Fisher P 6-1 209 Jr. Oakfield, N.Y./Oakfield-Alabama Central 47 Sam Rodgers LS 6-2 234 Jr. State College, Pa./Mercersburg Academy 48 Eric Morris LS 5-10 220 Sr. Simi Valley, Calif./Royal49 Alryk Perry LB 6-0 211 Fr. Columbus, Ala./Glenwood School 50 Femi Aliyu LB 5-11 228 Sr. Baldwin, N.Y./Baldwin 51 Donnie Simmons DE 6-2 250 So. Hartsdale, N.Y./Archbishop Stepinac 52 Eric Crume NT 6-0 305 Jr. Detroit, Mich./Detroit Central 53 Lucas Albrecht DT 6-2 258 Sr. Hudson Falls, N.Y./Hudson Falls54 Kennedy Kodua DE 6-1 220 Jr. Bronx, N.Y./A. Phillip Randolph 55 Marcus Coleman NT 6-1 266 RF Voorhees, N.J./Camden Catholic 55 Rob Trudo OG 6-3 284 So. Farrell, Pa./Farrell 56 John Miller OL 6-2 308 So. Carson, Calif./Redondo Union57 Omari Palmer OG 6-2 309 RF Coram, N.Y./Longwood58 Hernz Laguerre LB 6-0 220 So. Spring Valley, N.Y./Spring Valley59 Macky MacPherson C 6-2 290 Sr. Syracuse, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy 60 Sean Hickey OT 6-5 291 Jr. Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional HS64 Daniel Anyaegbunam OT 6-3 290 Sr. Schenectady, N.Y./Albany Academy65 Jamar McGloster OL 6-7 303 Fr. Hillside, N.J./Saint Anthony’s67 Michael Lasker OL 6-4 324 So. Corona, Calif./Santiago 68 Nick Robinson OG 6-5 297 So. Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker 69 Keith Mitsuuchi LS 5-10 221 So. Torrance, Calif./South Torrance 70 Jesse Wolf-Gould OG 6-4 328 Jr. Oneonta, N.Y./Oneonta 71 Alex Hayes OL 6-2 315 Fr. Ellenwood, Ga./Tucker 72 Ivan Foy OG 6-4 313 So. Brooklyn, N.Y./Fort Hamilton73 Jon Burton OL 6-6 317 Fr. Spotsylvania, Va./Courtland 74 Seamus Shanley C 6-1 264 So. Syracuse, N.Y./West Genesee76 Kyle Knapp OT 6-4 284 RF Kalamazoo, Mich./Portage Central 77 Zian Jones NT 6-4 311 Sr. Los Angeles, Calif./Eagle Rock HS/West Los Angeles College78 Jason Emerich C 6-3 280 RF New Ringgold, Pa./Blue Mountain 80 Tyler Provo TE 6-0 246 Fr. West Palm Beach, Fla./American Heritage School 81 Alex Schoen DB 5-7 161 Fr. Short Hills, N.J./Millburn81 Ron Thompson DE 6-4 268 RF Southfield, Mich./Southfield 82 Alvin Cornelius WR 6-1 187 RF Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville 83 Sean Avant WR 5-10 183 Fr. Miramar, Fla./Miramar 84 Ben Lewis WR 6-2 194 RF Middletown, Md./Middletown85 Beckett Wales TE 6-3 225 Sr. Venice, Fla./Venice HS86 PJ Batten TE 6-3 218 Fr. Miami, Fla./Dade Christian87 Kendall Moore OL 6-6 250 Fr. Chicago, Ill./Neal F. Simeon 88 Jarrod West WR 6-2 203 Jr. Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty HS89 Josh Parris TE 6-2 255 RF Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson90 James Washington LB 6-1 218 RF Winter Park, Fla./Winter Park91 Isaiah Johnson DL 6-5 291 Fr. New Castle, Del./Eastern Christian Academy 92 Riley Dixon K/P 6-5 208 So. Blossvale, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy 92 Tyler Marona DL 6-4 258 So. Pasadena, Calif./St. Francis 93 Micah Robinson DE 6-4 265 Jr. Cleveland, Ohio/John Adams HS94 Robert Welsh DE 6-3 256 Jr. Bay Shore, N.Y./Saint Anthony’s HS95 Josh Manley DE 6- 269 RF College Park, Ga./Milton96 Jay Bromley DT 6-4 285 Sr. Jamaica, N.Y./Flushing 97 John Raymon DE 6-5 323 So. Richboro, Pa./Council Rock North98 Trevon Trejo DL 6-5 240 Jr. Long Beach, Calif./Milikan 99 Ryan Sloan DT 6-2 326 So. East Patchogue, N.Y./Bellport

SYRA

CUSE

ROS

TER No. Name Pos. HT. WT. CL. Hometown High School

1 Powell, Devin QB 6-3 213 RF New Orleans, La. O. Perry Walker2 Monroe, Darion S 5-10 189 So. Reserve, La. East St. John3 Grant, Ryan WR 6-1 191 Sr. Beaumont, Texas West Brook4 Nixon, Taurean CB 6-0 185 Jr. Baton Rouge, La. Southern Lab5 LaBeau, Brandon S 6-0 201 Jr. New Orleans, La. McMain 6 Doss, Lorenzo CB 5-11 175 So. New Orleans, La. St. Augustine7 Williams, Edward LB 6-3 221 Fr. New Orleans, La. Warren Easton8 Breaux, Devon WR 5-11 169 RF Donaldsonville, La. Donaldsonville9 Banks, Kedrick WR 5-9 181 RF New Orleans, La. McDonogh 3510 Davis, Leonard DB 6-0 186 Fr. LaPlace, La. East St. John11 Montana, Nick QB 6-3 208 Jr. San Francisco, Calif. Oaks Christian 12 Lee, Tanner QB 6-4 203 Fr. Destrehan, La. Jesuit13 Strozier, Derrick CB 5-8 181 Sr. Orlando, Fla. Edgewater14 Batiste, Jordan CB 5-8 169 So. Gramercy, Fla. Lutcher 15 Edwards, Marc WR 6-2 181 So. New Orleans, La. St. Augustine 16 Joseph, Jordy QB 5-10 187 Jr. New Iberia, La. New Iberia17 Nickerson, Parry CB 5-11 157 Fr. Terrytown, La. West Jefferson19 Santos, Cairo K 5-8 160 Sr. St. Augustine, Fla. St. Joseph’s Academy20 Marley, Nico LB 5-8 180 Fr. Weston, Fla. Cypress Bay21 Davis, Kyle LB 5-11 208 Sr. San Antonio, TexasRonald Reagan22 Sullen, Jordan CB 6-0 200 Sr. New Orleans, La. Edna Karr23 Allen, Richard CB 5-9 168 Fr. Metairie, La. John Curtis Christian24 Butler, Dante RB 5-10 216 Jr. New Orleans, La. Brother Martin25 Rounds, Josh RB 5-11 189 So. New Orleans, La. McMain26 Darkwa, Orleans RB 6-0 210 Sr. Nashville, Tenn. The Ensworth School27 Carthon, Richard S 5-7 197 So. Shreveport, La. C.E. Byrd28 Kelley, Rob RB 5-10 228 Jr. New Orleans,La. O. Perry Walker29 O’Neill, Alex WR 5-11 185 Fr. Waco, Texas Reicher Catholic30 Cooper, Tristan DB 6-0 175 Fr. Tampa, Fla. Plant31 Picerelli, Peter P 6-1 190 So. Warren, R.I. LaSalle Academy32 Badie, Sherman RB 5-10 192 Fr. Metairie, La. John Curtis Christian 33 Thompson, Lazedrick RB 6-0 209 RF LaPlace, La.St. Charles Catholic34 Franklin, Jarrod CB 5-11 194 Fr. Baton Rouge, La. University Lab35 Scofield, Sam S 6-1 185 Jr. Lafayette, La. St. Thomas More36 Boutte, Devin WR 5-8 170 Jr. New Iberia, La. Catholic37 Parker, L.J. CB 5-11 190 Sr. Port Allen, La. Port Allen38 Bronzo, Anthony S 5-10 180 Jr. West Harrison, N.Y. Fordham Prep39 Townsend, Williams CB 6-0 190 Fr. Miami, Fla. Norland40 Bullock, Taylor LB 6-2 231 Jr. New Iberia, La. Catholic41 Bryant, Aaron DE 6-2 252 So. Katy, Texas Seven Lakes42 Wilson, Carlos WR 5-9 187 Jr. Grambling, La. Ruston43 Wadleigh, Marshall RB 5-11 195 Fr. Pearl River, La. Northshore43 Gilbert, Tyler DE 6-3 244 Jr. Sorrento, La. John Curtis Christian 44 Macias, Alec WR 5-11 185 So. Miami, Fla. Belen Jesuit44 Jackson, Luke DE 6-2 215 Fr. LaPlace, La. St. Charles Catholic 45 Bailey, Matthew LB 5-11 203 Jr. New Orleans, La.Edna Karr46 Medina, Sergio LB 6-0 210 Fr. Boutte, La. Hahnville47 DeJean, Cameron LB 6-2 203 Jr. Lafayette, La. St. Thomas More 48 LaFrance, Royce DE 6-3 244 So. Harvey, La. Helen Cox50 Godfrey, Brandon C 6-4 277 Fr. Kenner, La. John Curtis Christian51 Herman, Max LB 5-8 203 Fr. Los Gatos, Calif. Los Gatos52 Thomas, Eric LB 5-9 234 Fr. Meraux, La. John Curtis Christian53 Robinson, Andre DE 6-1 235 RF Longwood, Fla. Lyman54 Carroll, Quinlan DE 6-1 213 Fr. Belle Chasse, La. Belle Chasse56 Robertson, Dominique LB 6-1 190 Sr. Cypress, Texas Cypress Woods57 Davis, Zach LB 6-0 216 Sr. Lawrenceville, Ga. Collins Hill58 Schmidt, Brandon LB 5-8 226 Jr. Lafayette, La. St. Thomas More59 Purcell, Brandon K 6-0 205 Fr. Paradise Valley, Ariz. Phoenix Country Day59 Laborde, David LB 6-1 225 So. Lafayette, La. St. Thomas More60 Paine, Preston OL 6-3 257 Jr. Dallas, Texas Jesuit61 Hanson, Colton OL 6-5 318 RF New Braunfels, Texas New Braunfels62 Broccoli, Steven P/K 5-7 155 So. New York, N.Y. Fordham Prep63 Spinelli, Casey K/P 5-10 170 Fr. Covington, La. St. Paul’s64 Henry, Mike C 6-5 265 Sr. Marrero, La. John Curtis Christian65 Morgan, Zach C 6-3 284 Sr. Lake Charles, La. Sam Houston66 Shienle, Nathan OG 6-5 317 RF Tampa, Fla. Plant67 Bradley, Bob OG 6-3 276 So. Medford, N.J. Shawnee68 Uzdavinis, Arturo OT 6-6 295 So. Thonotosassa, Fla. Jesuit69 Ginsburgh, Jonathan P 5-11 204 Sr. Alexandria, La. Holy Savior Menard Central70 Donnelly, Sean OT 6-8 312 Jr. Pelham, N.Y. Trinity Pawling School71 Stewart, Jason OG 6-4 395 Fr. New Orleans, La. Warren Easton72 Mares, Rio OG 6-4 299 Sr. Corrales, N.M. Cibola73 Paul, Alex OG 6-6 333 So. New Orleans, La. Isadore Newman74 Skidmore, Adam OG 6-6 315 Jr. Bayville, N.J. Central Regional75 Taylor, Chris OG 6-1 324 Fr. Baker, La. Zachary76 Skold, Nate OT 6-6 290 So. Omaha, Neb. Westside77 Smart, Tanzel DT 6-2 331 Fr. Baton Rouge, La. Scotlandville Magnet78 Jacquet, Todd OT 6-5 277 So. Harvey, La. Jesuit79 Santa Marina, Kenneth OT 6-5 323 Fr. New Orleans, La. McDonogh 3580 Shackleford, Justyn WR 5-11 174 Jr. Decatur, Ga. Berkmar81 London, Sydie TE 6-2 238 So. New Orleans, La. St. Augustine82 Rush, Xavier WR 6-2 203 Jr. Terry, Miss. Terry83 Van Hooser, Fudge WR 6-1 177 RF Montgomery, Ala. Trinity Presbyterian84 Dobbs, DoJo WR 6-1 199 Sr. Washington, D.C. Walt Whitman85 Dace, Larry WR 5-8 160 So. New Orleans, La. St. Augustine87 Aruna, Ade DE 6-6 230 Fr. La Porte, Ind. La Lumiere88 Marfisi, Matt TE 6-6 252 Jr. Tomball, Texas Tomball89 Vaughan, Thomas WR 5-11 200 So. Morganville, N.J.Red Bank Catholic90 Peeples, Jeremy DE 6-4 242 Sr. Selma, Ala. Selma 91 Washington, Eldrick DT 6-1 240 Fr. Harvey, La. Helen Cox92 Warmsley, Julius DE 6-2 269 Sr. Baton Rouge, La. St. Michael93 Welcome, Kenny DT 6-2 289 Jr. New Orleans, La. McDonogh 3594 Davenport, Chris DT 6-4 334 Sr. Mansfield, La. Mansfield95 Hilton, Logan P/K 6-0 195 So. Alexandria, La. Holy Savior Menard Central96 Redwine, Corey DT 6-0 316 So. Atlanta, Ga. Creekside97 Lizanich, Michael DS 6-1 200 Fr. Scottsdale, Ariz. Pinnacle98 Bell, Eric DT 6-2 250 Fr. Harvey, La. West St. John99 Thomas, Calvin DT 6-3 286 So. Chandler, Ariz. Hamilton

TULA

NE R

OSTE

R


No. Name Pos. HT. WT. CL. Hometown High School1 Powell, Devin QB 6-3 213 RF New Orleans, La. O. Perry Walker2 Monroe, Darion S 5-10 189 So. Reserve, La. East St. John3 Grant, Ryan WR 6-1 191 Sr. Beaumont, Texas West Brook4 Nixon, Taurean CB 6-0 185 Jr. Baton Rouge, La. Southern Lab5 LaBeau, Brandon S 6-0 201 Jr. New Orleans, La. McMain 6 Doss, Lorenzo CB 5-11 175 So. New Orleans, La. St. Augustine7 Williams, Edward LB 6-3 221 Fr. New Orleans, La. Warren Easton8 Breaux, Devon WR 5-11 169 RF Donaldsonville, La. Donaldsonville9 Banks, Kedrick WR 5-9 181 RF New Orleans, La. McDonogh 3510 Davis, Leonard DB 6-0 186 Fr. LaPlace, La. East St. John11 Montana, Nick QB 6-3 208 Jr. San Francisco, Calif. Oaks Christian 12 Lee, Tanner QB 6-4 203 Fr. Destrehan, La. Jesuit13 Strozier, Derrick CB 5-8 181 Sr. Orlando, Fla. Edgewater14 Batiste, Jordan CB 5-8 169 So. Gramercy, Fla. Lutcher 15 Edwards, Marc WR 6-2 181 So. New Orleans, La. St. Augustine 16 Joseph, Jordy QB 5-10 187 Jr. New Iberia, La. New Iberia17 Nickerson, Parry CB 5-11 157 Fr. Terrytown, La. West Jefferson19 Santos, Cairo K 5-8 160 Sr. St. Augustine, Fla. St. Joseph’s Academy20 Marley, Nico LB 5-8 180 Fr. Weston, Fla. Cypress Bay21 Davis, Kyle LB 5-11 208 Sr. San Antonio, TexasRonald Reagan22 Sullen, Jordan CB 6-0 200 Sr. New Orleans, La. Edna Karr23 Allen, Richard CB 5-9 168 Fr. Metairie, La. John Curtis Christian24 Butler, Dante RB 5-10 216 Jr. New Orleans, La. Brother Martin25 Rounds, Josh RB 5-11 189 So. New Orleans, La. McMain26 Darkwa, Orleans RB 6-0 210 Sr. Nashville, Tenn. The Ensworth School27 Carthon, Richard S 5-7 197 So. Shreveport, La. C.E. Byrd28 Kelley, Rob RB 5-10 228 Jr. New Orleans,La. O. Perry Walker29 O’Neill, Alex WR 5-11 185 Fr. Waco, Texas Reicher Catholic30 Cooper, Tristan DB 6-0 175 Fr. Tampa, Fla. Plant31 Picerelli, Peter P 6-1 190 So. Warren, R.I. LaSalle Academy32 Badie, Sherman RB 5-10 192 Fr. Metairie, La. John Curtis Christian 33 Thompson, Lazedrick RB 6-0 209 RF LaPlace, La.St. Charles Catholic34 Franklin, Jarrod CB 5-11 194 Fr. Baton Rouge, La. University Lab35 Scofield, Sam S 6-1 185 Jr. Lafayette, La. St. Thomas More36 Boutte, Devin WR 5-8 170 Jr. New Iberia, La. Catholic37 Parker, L.J. CB 5-11 190 Sr. Port Allen, La. Port Allen38 Bronzo, Anthony S 5-10 180 Jr. West Harrison, N.Y. Fordham Prep39 Townsend, Williams CB 6-0 190 Fr. Miami, Fla. Norland40 Bullock, Taylor LB 6-2 231 Jr. New Iberia, La. Catholic41 Bryant, Aaron DE 6-2 252 So. Katy, Texas Seven Lakes42 Wilson, Carlos WR 5-9 187 Jr. Grambling, La. Ruston43 Wadleigh, Marshall RB 5-11 195 Fr. Pearl River, La. Northshore43 Gilbert, Tyler DE 6-3 244 Jr. Sorrento, La. John Curtis Christian 44 Macias, Alec WR 5-11 185 So. Miami, Fla. Belen Jesuit44 Jackson, Luke DE 6-2 215 Fr. LaPlace, La. St. Charles Catholic 45 Bailey, Matthew LB 5-11 203 Jr. New Orleans, La.Edna Karr46 Medina, Sergio LB 6-0 210 Fr. Boutte, La. Hahnville47 DeJean, Cameron LB 6-2 203 Jr. Lafayette, La. St. Thomas More 48 LaFrance, Royce DE 6-3 244 So. Harvey, La. Helen Cox50 Godfrey, Brandon C 6-4 277 Fr. Kenner, La. John Curtis Christian51 Herman, Max LB 5-8 203 Fr. Los Gatos, Calif. Los Gatos52 Thomas, Eric LB 5-9 234 Fr. Meraux, La. John Curtis Christian53 Robinson, Andre DE 6-1 235 RF Longwood, Fla. Lyman54 Carroll, Quinlan DE 6-1 213 Fr. Belle Chasse, La. Belle Chasse56 Robertson, Dominique LB 6-1 190 Sr. Cypress, Texas Cypress Woods57 Davis, Zach LB 6-0 216 Sr. Lawrenceville, Ga. Collins Hill58 Schmidt, Brandon LB 5-8 226 Jr. Lafayette, La. St. Thomas More59 Purcell, Brandon K 6-0 205 Fr. Paradise Valley, Ariz. Phoenix Country Day59 Laborde, David LB 6-1 225 So. Lafayette, La. St. Thomas More60 Paine, Preston OL 6-3 257 Jr. Dallas, Texas Jesuit61 Hanson, Colton OL 6-5 318 RF New Braunfels, Texas New Braunfels62 Broccoli, Steven P/K 5-7 155 So. New York, N.Y. Fordham Prep63 Spinelli, Casey K/P 5-10 170 Fr. Covington, La. St. Paul’s64 Henry, Mike C 6-5 265 Sr. Marrero, La. John Curtis Christian65 Morgan, Zach C 6-3 284 Sr. Lake Charles, La. Sam Houston66 Shienle, Nathan OG 6-5 317 RF Tampa, Fla. Plant67 Bradley, Bob OG 6-3 276 So. Medford, N.J. Shawnee68 Uzdavinis, Arturo OT 6-6 295 So. Thonotosassa, Fla. Jesuit69 Ginsburgh, Jonathan P 5-11 204 Sr. Alexandria, La. Holy Savior Menard Central70 Donnelly, Sean OT 6-8 312 Jr. Pelham, N.Y. Trinity Pawling School71 Stewart, Jason OG 6-4 395 Fr. New Orleans, La. Warren Easton72 Mares, Rio OG 6-4 299 Sr. Corrales, N.M. Cibola73 Paul, Alex OG 6-6 333 So. New Orleans, La. Isadore Newman74 Skidmore, Adam OG 6-6 315 Jr. Bayville, N.J. Central Regional75 Taylor, Chris OG 6-1 324 Fr. Baker, La. Zachary76 Skold, Nate OT 6-6 290 So. Omaha, Neb. Westside77 Smart, Tanzel DT 6-2 331 Fr. Baton Rouge, La. Scotlandville Magnet78 Jacquet, Todd OT 6-5 277 So. Harvey, La. Jesuit79 Santa Marina, Kenneth OT 6-5 323 Fr. New Orleans, La. McDonogh 3580 Shackleford, Justyn WR 5-11 174 Jr. Decatur, Ga. Berkmar81 London, Sydie TE 6-2 238 So. New Orleans, La. St. Augustine82 Rush, Xavier WR 6-2 203 Jr. Terry, Miss. Terry83 Van Hooser, Fudge WR 6-1 177 RF Montgomery, Ala. Trinity Presbyterian84 Dobbs, DoJo WR 6-1 199 Sr. Washington, D.C. Walt Whitman85 Dace, Larry WR 5-8 160 So. New Orleans, La. St. Augustine87 Aruna, Ade DE 6-6 230 Fr. La Porte, Ind. La Lumiere88 Marfisi, Matt TE 6-6 252 Jr. Tomball, Texas Tomball89 Vaughan, Thomas WR 5-11 200 So. Morganville, N.J.Red Bank Catholic90 Peeples, Jeremy DE 6-4 242 Sr. Selma, Ala. Selma 91 Washington, Eldrick DT 6-1 240 Fr. Harvey, La. Helen Cox92 Warmsley, Julius DE 6-2 269 Sr. Baton Rouge, La. St. Michael93 Welcome, Kenny DT 6-2 289 Jr. New Orleans, La. McDonogh 3594 Davenport, Chris DT 6-4 334 Sr. Mansfield, La. Mansfield95 Hilton, Logan P/K 6-0 195 So. Alexandria, La. Holy Savior Menard Central96 Redwine, Corey DT 6-0 316 So. Atlanta, Ga. Creekside97 Lizanich, Michael DS 6-1 200 Fr. Scottsdale, Ariz. Pinnacle98 Bell, Eric DT 6-2 250 Fr. Harvey, La. West St. John99 Thomas, Calvin DT 6-3 286 So. Chandler, Ariz. Hamilton


again. He didn’t want to go through the different process of picking a different family. He was very comfortable with us,” Burnett said. “His dad was very adamant that if he wanted to get good in business, he needed to learn English on a very intimate level.

“We consider him our son.”

Though Santos stayed in Florida for his kicking ability, Western Kentucky and Miami (Ohio) were the only schools besides Tulane that offered him a football scholar-ship. He also turned down a soccer scholar-ship from Gardner-Webb.

Tulane is glad it took that chance. Lamb, the special teams coach, said he thinks very highly of Santos. He said that while Santos is a great teammate and friend, he is also very competitive and is zoned in during games.

He noted that in last week’s win over Loui-siana Tech, Santos made a 51-yard field goal despite a high snap and one of his teammates getting on the field late.

“Cairo just kept his cool throughout the whole thing,” Lamb said. “He came over to the sidelines and just said, ‘Let’s get the kickoff team going.’ It was just business as usual.”

On Saturday, Santos will take the field under far different circumstances. Burnett said that although Santos’ father never quite grasped the

importance of football, he was behind his son no matter what.

“When Cairo won the Lou Groza Award, his family came over and had no idea, even to that day, that football was such a big deal,” Burnett said. “It was really exciting to them.

“Up until that point soccer was still king as far as his parents were concerned. They were always supportive of whatever Cairo wanted to do, or what he needed to do to make it work.”

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BABERSF R O M P A G E 1 3

SANTOSF R O M P A G E 4

ranked eighth in the Sports Network Football Championship Subdivision poll, while boasting the division’s most high-powered offense.

“This blessing just kind of came upon me,” Babers said. “I decided I had to do it. When they offered me the job, the crazy thing is I had to take a major pay cut. This is the only time I didn’t tell my wife I was going to take a job. I took the job on faith, and said that this was going to work out.”

After leaving UCLA in 2007, Babers was hired to be the wide receivers coach at Baylor. It was there that Babers experienced a moment that rejuvenated his career.

Babers was involved in a life-threatening car crash, one that he said made him rethink his life.

“After that, everything in my life changed, from a spiritual standpoint, and everything else,” Babers said. “I just decided that I wasn’t going to settle. I wasn’t going to settle in my spiri-tual life, I wasn’t going to settle in my marriage, and I wasn’t going to settle on the football field.”

Though now Babers said the team is brim-ming with confidence, that wasn’t the case when he first arrived.

“I thought it was a situation where we’d

have to go into a rebuilding stage, and rebuild the foundation of this program,” Babers said. “But once I got inside the pro-gram, what I found was splintered personali-ties. I found people that didn’t have faith in themselves, they didn’t really believe in what they were doing. I felt all I had to do was change their belief.”

When he first came in, he said, many people speculated that he would need to make a quar-terback change. Jimmy Garoppolo was coming off an abysmal year.

But Babers said he knew Garoppolo, now a senior, would be starting behind center the moment he saw him throw.

“I can’t tell you why he thought that as soon as he saw me,” Garoppolo said. “Obvi-ously I did something right. I think he made the right decision. I’ve had success in the pro-gram that’s he’s brought in with the Baylor offense. I love the system that he brought in.”

Garoppolo immediately became statisti-cally the best quarterback in the OVC. He passed for 3,823 yards and 31 touchdowns. In just three games this season he already has 14 touchdowns, matching his freshman total. He’s averaged 427 yards of passing per game.

His primary target is Erik Lora, a red-shirt senior. Lora led the team in receptions

in 2010 with 50. After sitting out 2011, he collected 136 catches in 2012, hauling in 12 touchdowns. Lora credits Babers as the catalyst for regrouping a program that had gotten complacent under Spoo.

“We just went through kind of a rough patch,” Lora said. “The team and the pro-gram were kind of on the left foot. When coach Babers came in here he really brought some order back. Babers is in your face and tells you how he wants it done. He brought a real sense of urgency.”

On Saturday, the Panthers will travel to play at Northern Illinois. Last season the Huskies earned a Bowl Championship Series bowl berth out of the Mid-American Confer-ence. And though now Babers said he hopes to set the foundation for the next 25 years, much like Spoo did before him, he’s open to one day having the opportunity to compete for a BCS bowl himself.

“After my accident, I’m led a different way. He tells me where to go,” Babers said, referencing his connection with God. “He tells me who to coach. And if he wants me to stay here, I’ll stay. And if he opens another opportunity to go somewhere else, then that’s his will. I’m following him.”

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HEISMANF R O M P A G E 6

per carry, and his 889 passing yards aren’t too shabby either. Couple that with the fact that he has yet to throw an intercep-tion, and it’s not a stretch to call Mariota the leading Heisman candidate so far.

TODD GURLEY42 carries, 286 yards, 3 TD

It wouldn’t be a Heisman watch list with-out at least one running back. The only one that fits the bill thus far has been Gurley. The sophomore did all he could to will the Bulldogs to a Week 1 win against Clemson, but it couldn’t be done. His four touchdowns — three rushing, one receiv-ing — weren’t enough to get them over the hump, but they did open some eyes. His 143-yard per game average is even more impressive given that his competi-tion has been two Top-10 teams. The Heis-man could be difficult to obtain for Gurley in a season where quarterbacks are kings. A couple more standout performances, though, and Gurley might run himself into serious Heisman consideration.

—Compiled by Sam Blum, staff writer, [email protected]

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