If Saturday’s Syracuse football Spring Game is any indicator of the regular season, SU’s running backs better be prepared to carry the offense. While two of SU’s quarterbacks – Perry Patterson and Xzavier Gaines – turned in serviceable performances, they both struggled at times. And true freshman Joe Fields showed his age.

That left the running backs to steal the show. While predictably Walter Reyes turned in the most dominating and consistent performance, Damien Rhodes and Jeremy Sellers both turned in strong efforts. Sellers was especially surprising considering he’s listed on the Orangemen roster as a wide receiver. He played running back because sophomore Tim Washington sat out the game with bruised ribs.

‘Walter obviously didn’t play as much as he normally would, and Damien didn’t play as much as he would,’ SU head coach Paul Pasqualoni said. ‘We wanted to give Jeremy opportunities, but at the same time, we wanted to get the other guys out there without getting them banged up. I like the way Jeremy runs. I like the way he blocks people.’

Reyes was responsible for the biggest running play of the day. Early in the fourth quarter, Reyes took a pitch to the right side of the field and appeared to have nowhere to go. Like he did so many times last season, he found a small gap and scampered down the sideline for a 40-yard gain. Reyes finished with 97 yards on eight carries.

Sellers had the largest workload on the day. He carried the ball 10 times for 50 yards. Several times, he found large openings up the middle, allowing him to spring for big gains. Rhodes carried four times for 26 yards and scored the game’s only touchdown.

With an inexperienced quarterback carrying Syracuse this season, the running backs should be expected to take on a greater role in the offense. The game was especially important for Rhodes, who showed he’s recovered from last season’s ankle injury. Pasqualoni said he plans on throwing the ball 25 or 26 times a game, but clearly SU will live and die with the rushing attack.

‘With Damien being 100 percent, it’s going to help,’ Reyes said. ‘He’s a great athlete and he’ll get his share of carries, too. By him coming back healthy, it’s going to cause me to stay fresh and not get banged up.’

Searching for a snapper

One of the lesser profile positions up for grabs this spring is long snapper. With Dave DeAmato gone to graduation, the Orangemen are searching for a replacement. So far this search has had mixed results.

Right now, sophomore tight end Brandon Darlington continues to be the leading candidate, ahead of junior Kevin Kopko. Junior tight end Alex Shor is in the developmental stage and also involved in the competition, special teams coach Chris Rippon said. The Orangemen also signed a long snapper, who will be in camp in the fall.

Saturday, SU worked on special teams prior to the games, and the snaps were shaky at times. SU missed several field-goal attempts because of erratic snaps. Holder Jared Jones may have his work cut out for him this year, after handling DeAmato’s consistent snapping last season.

During the game, SU’s first field-goal attempt didn’t even get off the ground because of a poor snap. Several of the punt snaps were low to the ground, and the punts may have been blocked had any players been rushing the punt. Rippon, though, said he’s not at all discouraged.

‘As we have every year, we work on trying kids out throughout the spring,’ Rippon said. ‘Overall, I thought the PAT and field-goal protection was pretty good.’

Captains chosen

SU’s three captains for the 2004 season will be defensive end Julian Pollard, center Matt Tarullo and Reyes. The selections came as no surprise. Pollard has worked for three years to assert himself and has finally appeared to earn a starting job. Tarullo agreed to move from guard to center for this season. Reyes is SU’s best player and will contend for the Heisman Trophy.

None of the Orangemen knew who was chosen until the names were announced prior to the start of the Spring Game. The captains were selected by coaches and teammates. Reyes, whose name was announced last, was left to sweat it out.

‘I was kind of nervous because there are a lot of other great leaders on this team,’ Reyes said. ‘When they said the first two I thought there’s one more left. Then they said 5-10, 210 pounds. I thought, ‘Well, I think that’s me.’ It feels really good that my teammates named me captain.’

Pasqualoni said he’s especially pleased with Pollard’s selection, because he can serve as an example to younger players on how hard work can pay off.

‘You look at Julian Pollard and you hang in there because he’s a guy who’s really persevered,’ Pasqualoni said. ‘I think he’s a good inspiration to a lot of guys to hang in there.’

This and that

Kicker Collin Barber hit both of his field-goal attempts, and Ricky Krautman connected on his only attempt. … The SU defense posted four sacks. … The Spring Game was part of a doubleheader at the Carrier Dome. Fans could stay and watch the SU men’s lacrosse team take on Albany for free.

Published on April 25, 2004 at 12:00 pm