From: saqx@vax5.cit.cornell.edu
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college
Subject: Ho-hum Orange win
Date: 8 Oct 92 20:24:34 EDT
Distribution: rec
Organization: Cornell University

Well, this last weekend the "mighty" Orange defeated a lackluster Louisville
team by the whopping margin of 15-9.  (Note the great sarcasm) What can we
infer from this exhibition of football-at-its-best?  

First, and perhaps most importantly, the Orange "matador defense" failed to
show up.  For a team that was averaging something like 400 yards surrendered
per contest, the Orange made some personnel changes and showed signs of life
on the D.  James Spencer was returned to the defensive line from his
newly-assumed duties on the OL, and merely led the team with 9 tackles and a
sack.  This freed up linebacker Jo Jo Wooden to return to his normal
position, where he will undoubtedly prove more effective.  LB Chip Todd saw
less time as a result, but anything at this point has to be more desirable
than the sordid defensive showing up to this now.  Spencer's better play
on the DL also lessened the number of double teams that Kevin Mitchell saw,
resulting in better pressure on the QB.  In fact, with Louisville averaging
something like 4 QB sacks per game, the Cardinals didn't get to the Orange
QB once, while Cardinals were sacked 5 times by the revived Orange rush.
Also, CB Doug Womack was replaced at times by Ousmane Bary, and the pass
coverage was much improved this game.  That's only to be expected, since the
unit was so inexperienced coming into the season.  But in this game, they
showed great potential by helping to hold the Cardinals to ZERO yards pasing
after halftime.  The nine points surrendered was also a season low for the
Orange D, with six of those points coming on a terrifically acrobatic catch
by Cardinal WR Ralph Dawkins near the end of the first half.  Those were
unavoidable--put any cornerback in the country on that play, and Louisville
still scores.  Those of you who saw the game know what I mean.  Thank
goodness that throws and catches like that were very much the exception this
day!  

The offense looked plain miserable.  The running game never materialized.
The Orange managed only 148 rushing yards, on generally lame attempts,
slow-developing plays, poor end blocking, etc.  The 'Cuse distributed their
seven penalties (50 yards) wisely, picking the most damaging times to get
that holding call, that face mask, etc.  It was really disgusting.  Delay of
game was also an inexcusable, repeated occurrence.  Tight end Chris Gedney
was the life of the offense, catching 5 balls for 81 yards and moving the
chains when nothing else seemed to be working.  After the 'Cuse had scored
the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter on Terry Richardson's 1-yard
scamper, they managed another good drive, only to have it stymied by an
interception inside the Cardinals' 20.  Grotesque, a poorly thrown ball, and
a characteristically lazy play.  For a team that got shellacked by Ohio
State and understandably needed to regain some pride, the offensive showing
was pitiful.  352 total yards?  For a team with such an outstanding rotation
of receivers, 48 running plays versus 27 passing plays has to make one
wonder...  Just what the hell is offensive coordinator Geoge DeLeone
thinking about?  And what happened to Ismail?  Why aren't they throwing the
ball his way a little more?  I'm disgusted with the whole charade.  The
offense did nothing to win this game, in essence; for a change, the defense
gets this W.  Louisville was held to 207 yards, 161 net yards after sacks.
The second half was particularly reassuring, with the Orange yielding less
than 30 total yards.  But that's about the only reassuring thing from this
awful game.  

Now for this weekend.  It's homecoming in Syracuse, and the Scarlet Knights
are coming to town.  It's appropriate that these teams are meeting now--both
are having very disappointing seasons considering the personnel and
expectations.  Nevertheless, I think the Orange D will really dig in this
Saturday, and the offense will get back on track.  My (probably wrong) guess
is, therefore:

Syracuse 31    Rutgers 10

You can catch the game on the Big East TV network if you are so inclined.
The opportunity to watch me put foot in mouth should be incentive enough...
Game time is something like noon or 12:30.  
-- 
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#  RNJX@vax5.cit.cornell.edu                                 #             
#  Jeff Wilson                                               #
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#  Department of Chemistry                                   #
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