Perhaps nothing was wrong with R.J. Anderson last year. Maybe the Syracuse quarterback’s season was an aberration, a smoke screen clouding a solid quarterback.

After a year when his play was abysmal, Anderson’s confidence is soaring. He took a truly unconventional path to get to this point. In 2001, Anderson led the Syracuse football team to a 9-1record as a starter. Last season, he struggled so much that he was benched seven games into the season.

Now, he thinks he’s come full circle.

Saturday, Anderson led Syracuse to a 49-47 triple-overtime victory over North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Anderson was commanding, passing for 288 yards and three touchdowns. But the most glaring statistic was interceptions: zero.

Last year, Anderson’s eight interceptions were the root of his downfall. Now, at least through game one, he seems to be either mirroring the success of 2001 season or slopping down the mortar for a new yellow-brick road.

‘He’s a completely different human being,’ defensive tackle Louis Gachelin said. ‘He’s got a lot of enthusiasm. He’s encouraging the defense. That performance was greatly appreciated.’

Anderson insists he’s the threat of old. He’ll say he’s the same quarterback who led his team to the Insight.com Bowl in 2001. He’s the man who threw for 1,123 yards. five touchdowns and two picks.

Still, he admits he’s changed from last season, when he was benched in favor of Nunes. Then, he threw for 899 yards, the aforementioned eight interceptions and a dismal passing percentage of .433.

Enter 2003. Anderson is working on a fresh slate. Without a quarterback controversy this season, it’s his turn to engrave it.

‘(Anderson’s) just very mature,’ Syracuse head coach Paul Pasqualoni said after Saturday’s game. ‘He’s got a lot of confidence with all the work he’s done. He finally realizes that he’s played in a lot of games. He played in a season where we won 10 games. He’s a leader. This is his ship, and he’s steering his ship. He’s going to have his trademark on it.’

But even the Titanic had a captain of some sort. After a shipwreck season, Anderson finally thinks he’s ready to bust out, or at least revert to old form.

‘I told the seniors, ‘Thanks for sticking with me when everyone was against me,’ ‘ Anderson said. ‘I attribute that to the whole team. A lot of people were just like I’m a lousy quarterback.’

Anderson’s success was aided by SU’s ability to keep the Carolina defense honest. Running back Walter Reyes rushed for 191 yards and three touchdowns. Forced to respect the running game, UNC’s dismal secondary provided Anderson and wide receiver Johnnie Morant plenty of room to rack up yards. Syracuse gained 518 yards offensively.

Save the 48-yard touchdown pass to Morant that took all of 20 seconds, Anderson’s play Saturday was methodical

. Syracuse had two seven-play touchdown drives and a 12-play drive that resulted in a field goal. Anderson didn’t burn UNC with his arm or legs Saturday. Rather, he prodded down the field with ease, oftentimes aided by UNC penalties.

His style isn’t pretty, but Saturday it got the job done. Of course, there will be the naysayers, the ones that see a No. 5 in the pocket and automatically compare him to one of the greatest SU quarterbacks ever – Donovan McNabb.

Despite it all, Anderson will keep working. In some ways, he’s the same quarterback as in 2001. Back then, he showed so much promise. Yet, he still faces critics, like he did a season ago.

He’s changed. Or has he?

‘There will always be doubters,’ Anderson said. ‘I can’t do anything about that. We won. I don’t read into that stuff. I just go out and play.

‘That’s how I got caught up last year; worrying about what everyone else was writing and saying about me.’

Oh yeah. He’s changed.

Published on September 8, 2003 at 12:00 pm