Syracuse football quarterback Perry Patterson said all season that he felt he was capable of being SU’s starting quarterback. On Saturday, he’ll have the opportunity to prove himself.

Patterson will start at quarterback Saturday at Virginia, head coach Paul Pasqualoni said yesterday. Both he and incumbent Joe Fields will play in the game.

‘We have two great kids there,’ Pasqualoni said. ‘They are really battling, and it is a positive thing.’

Fields was named the starter for the season opener at Purdue. He started SU’s next two games despite mediocre performances. Patterson played in all three Syracuse games this season, throwing for 281 yards on 24-for-44 passing.

Patterson was noticeably better than Fields in each of SU’s three games. Each week, Pasqualoni hinted that Patterson would play significant minutes, even though Fields retained his starting role. This week Pasqualoni acquiesced. The job is Patterson’s to lose.

‘It feels better because I earned it,’ said Patterson, a sophomore. ‘I’ve been sitting two years. I don’t want to sit anymore. That’s just the hunger in me.’

Pasqualoni said yesterday he was pleased with Patterson’s ability to lead the offense. Though only serviceable, Patterson’s offensive statistics outweigh Fields’ numbers. Patterson has thrown for 160 more yards than Fields and has a significantly higher quarterback efficiency rating (106.6 to 74.6).

‘When Perry comes in the huddle, we settle down a little bit,’ center Matt Tarullo said. ‘Joe’s a great player; he just has a lot to learn. Perry’s been around the block. He knows what’s going on, and I think he’s going to do well leading us at Virginia.’

 

 

Fields, who hobbled off the Carrier Dome turf a few minutes before halftime against Cincinnati on Saturday, will play next week against Virginia. Pasqualoni said yesterday that Fields strained his calf and it stiffened up on him. But he felt better after receiving treatment.

Steve Gregory, who was held out of the Cincinnati game with a muscle pull in his thigh, is probable for the Virginia game. Pasqualoni listed him as day-to-day.

‘He could have played on Saturday if we needed him to,’ Pasqualoni said. ‘We want to get it healed. We don’t want it to get worse.’

 

 

Free safety Anthony Smith was named Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts against Cincinnati. Smith recorded 11 tackles, an interception and a blocked punt. Last week, Smith was awarded special teams player of the week for his two blocked punts against Buffalo.

‘Anthony is playing very good football,’ Pasqualoni said. ‘I don’t want to jinx it. (But) he’s playing very smart football.’

Said Tarullo: ‘Anthony Smith is playing like a champ. He’s a playmaker. He has so much natural ability, so much swagger, and he brings so much attitude and confidence to the defense.’

 

 

Saturday’s game at Virginia won’t be televised. … Virginia is averaging 50.3 points per game, 31.7 points more than SU. … SU is 2-0 in its history against the Cavaliers.

Published on September 20, 2004 at 12:00 pm