Rushing for 200 yards as a premier running back makes headlines, but Walter Reyes sometimes opts for a more selfless role.

As a member of the Syracuse football team’s kickoff return unit, Reyes and his mates are tied for second in the Big East with 23.1 yards per return. Syracuse has traditionally been known to use its starters on special teams, and the kick return position is no different.

Reyes and strong safety Diamond Ferri are the primary returners, while as many as three guys are waiting in the wings, though it’s been mostly a three-man rotation with Damien Rhodes.

Usually, it’s not a glamorous position. And, sometimes, it hurts, especially when 11 speeding bullets are hell-bent on decimating a returner. But Reyes, Ferri and Rhodes, as well as Marcus Clayton and Jared Jones, are off to a hot start.

‘I’m here to help Syracuse win,’ Reyes said after SU’s loss at Virginia. ‘It doesn’t matter if they ask me to return kicks, punts or block. I’m here for the team. It’s not about me.’

But it is about production. Both head coach Paul Pasqualoni and special teams coordinator Chris Rippon are pleased with the results.

Ferri leads the group with 324 yards on 11 returns, an average of 29.5 yards per return.

Reyes has four returns for 71 yards, good for a 17.8 average. Rhodes has four returns for 54 yards. Jones has one return for 10 yards. And Clayton has one return for 27 yards.

Ferri is the unit’s most productive and consistent returner. Perhaps fearing a Reyes breakout run, most teams opt to avoid the premier running back and kick to Ferri. At least early in the season, Ferri made teams reconsider.

He ripped a 65-yard return to open SU’s game against Buffalo in September. He had a 37-yard return against Cincinnati and Rutgers.

Rippon said while Ferri and Reyes are the primary returners, the others are used liberally based on a number of factors: ‘Who’s fatigued, who’s feeling hot and what the situation is,’ Rippon said.

‘We’ve got two starters; it will be Walter and Diamond,’ he said after Syracuse played Virginia. ‘Then we’ll see how many plays they’re involved in and maybe use a three-man rotation.’

It very well could be more. Last year, wide receiver Steve Gregory returned kickoffs for SU, but he hasn’t been given an opportunity this season. And wide receiver Landel Bembo, who has returned all nine punts this season, has the speed to be a capable kickoff returner.

Syracuse may be able to take advantage of a Florida State team that is uncharacteristically weak on special teams. The Seminoles have allowed 391 kickoff return yards on 12 returns, a 32.6 yard average.

The Seminoles have already allowed two kick returns for touchdowns. And while Syracuse hasn’t returned a kick for a touchdown since 1998, it’s hoping it can happen on Saturday.

‘We have some big-time returners,’ Reyes said.

Published on October 5, 2004 at 12:00 pm