sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to National Respect Canada Day!
SU News
SU Football Position Preview: Running Backs (TNIAAM; Cassillo)
Perkins Has Actually Already Been Moved to the H-Back (eXpress Back) Position...
The Syracuse football season is getting closer and closer. In the lead-up to kickoff, we'll be previewing every position group on the Orange squad, making sure you're fully prepared for September 4. Today, we take a look at the...
Syracuse Orange Running Backs
Ignored for large swathes of time last season, Syracuse's running backs failed to ever really find a rhythm in 2014. But now, with a more streamlined offense system and hopefully a healthy offensive line in front of them, there's a renewed hope that the Orange can get back to what they're good at: running the damn ball.
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Devante McFarlane, (Redshirt) Junior
McFarlane tallied the most yards of any returning running back (by default, since Ervin Phillips switched positions), so he takes the spotlight as "running back no. 1" in Tim Lester's two-back system. The speedy, yet powerful back received just 28 carries in 2014 due to a weak offensive strategy that de-emphasized the run, but McFarlane still managed to make the most of those meager touches. In particular, his 10-carry, 114-yard effort vs. Wake Forest made up a ton of his 169 yards. But still: he answered the bell and showed what he can do with consistent carries (much more so in 2013). Lester's already said he'll function largely on two ball-carriers, so Devante's incredibly likely to be one of those guys. Where we could see him more involved -- even more so than with simply more rushes -- is in the passing game, a spot where he showed glimpses of excellence in last fall given limited chances.
George Morris II, (Redshirt) Junior
Morris had more chances than McFarlane did last year (35 carries vs. 28), but couldn't pull together the same sort of break-out ability in that time. He did show it back in 2013 as a redshirt freshman, however, which is where expectations will largely focus for him this season. After a fine showing two years ago, he was seen as a speedy option who could do some damage on the outside. Now, with the likelihood of 10-plus carries per game, perhaps consistency yields much more positive results than 2014's 2.9 yards per carry. Morris also missed three games with injury and was allotted more than five touches in just one contest. None of that bodes well for a back like him to make an impact, but like McFarlane, he'll only stand to benefit from the change in system. Keep an eye on him early on to see what type of groove he can get into against some easier opponents to start the year.
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James Conner is 6'2 229 pounds and Does Not Like Defensive Backs
2015 SU Football Opponent Preview: Pittsburgh Panthers (TNIAAM; Cassillo)
NEW YEAR, ANOTHER NEW COACH: The revolving door at Pitt continues. Following Dave Wannstedt’s departure from the Panthers in the 2010 season, Pitt has gone through three head coaches and has had two bowl games coached by coordinators. The Paul Chryst era brought some stability to the team, with Chryst leading the program from 2012-14. But Chryst returned to Wisconsin to take over the head coaching position in December, and the program now belongs to former Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi. “It’s not been pretty, it’s just tough. That’s why I came here,” Narduzzi said to USA Today. “That’s part of it. Besides all the players in the area and the surrounding areas, it’s the toughness. That’s how you build a football team, with toughness. That was one of the keys to coming here.”
» Related: Previewing SU’s game against Virginia
WHO TO WATCH FOR: Pitt has two of the ACC’s most dynamic players in running back James Conner and wide receiver Tyler Boyd. In his sophomore season, Conner was named ACC Player of the Year, defeating reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston. He was the nation’s fourth leading rusher with 1,675 yards on 277 carries. Conner, a legitimate Heisman candidate heading into this season, was also second nationally in rushing touchdowns with 24. Boyd, meanwhile, was also stellar, hauling in 78 receptions for 1,261 yards, which resulted in a first-team All-ACC selection. But Boyd’s status is uncertain following an arrest for DWI in June.
PREDICTION: The key for Pitt will revolve around quarterback Chad Voytik. He’s got plenty of weapons around him, and Voytik had a solid second half of his 2014 campaign. The junior completed 65 percent or better of his passes in the final five games of the regular season, and will only improve this year. PITTSBURGH 31, SYRACUSE 28.
Other
Syracuse Nationals: Your Guide to This Weekend's Celebration (PS; Tulloch)
It's a car collector's dream weekend.
The PPG Syracuse Nationals Car Show brings about 8,000 gleaming hot rods to Syracuse each year. More than 88,000 visitors attended last year's event from 30 states and three Canadian provinces.
The 16th annual festival will also display muscle cars, antique cars, trucks and other collector vehicles. The show also features special events, vendors, awards shows and seminars.
Don't-miss events
Backyard Build-Off
Friday, July 17 at 10 a.m.
Four car builders compete in the third annual Backyard Build-Off to build a car in six months with a $5,000 personal budget. The four builders will unveil their never-before-seen creations on Friday, July 17 in the Ol' Skool Rodz building near Gate 10. The winner will be decided by popular vote among spectators and car owners at the Nationals, and announced on Sunday, July 19.
Each completed car must be older than a 1959 model and must be built entirely with steel parts. Each builder must document the project from beginning to end. The car must run and be safe to drive.
The event raised more than $98,000 for charity. Since 2000, the show has generated over $825,600 for charity.
Competitors in the build-off are:
- Jennifer Gilfus-Leone of Cato, N.Y., will build a 1951 Plymouth Cranbrook
- Bryan Jones, of Fairport, N.Y., will build a WWII fighter plane inspired car
- Mark Walantus, of Morrisonville, N.Y., will build a 1936 two-ton tanker
- Jared Walker, of Lebanon, N.H., will build a 1946 International
Fireworks
Friday, July 17 at 9:30 p.m.
Watch some fireworks after a long day of browsing classic cars.
