When Joe Fields entered the game in the second quarter, everyone knew what play was coming. Of course, the Syracuse football team would run the option. Why else would SU head coach Paul Pasqualoni have used the speedy, true freshman quarterback?

Certainly, Pittsburgh thought along those lines. And it got burned.

Fields entered SU’s 38-31, double-overtime win for one play Saturday. It appeared to be an option right, then Fields broke out of it, took two steps back and lofted a long pass downfield, hitting Jared Jones for a touchdown.

It was Fields’ first touchdown pass of his career and the only action he would see Saturday.

‘I didn’t see (the ball) leave his hand,’ Jones said. ‘But he gave it a lot of air. It gave me a chance to adjust and run under the ball.’

Jones did just that. Because the ball was underthrown, Jones had to cut his route off and retreat for the ball. It confused the defensive back, and Jones was able to elude him for the touchdown.

 

 

Syracuse fans rushed the field for the first time since 2002, when the Orange upset No. 8 Virginia Tech in triple overtime, 50-42.

‘That was a good game,’ said SU punter Brendan Carney of the 2002 thriller. ‘But there was more at stake right now.’

Although the attendance was just 37,211, the crowd at least sounded much louder, especially during the overtime sessions. As soon as the officials ruled that Syracuse had won, fans streamed from the student section and from the east end zone to celebrate at the 50-yard line.

‘I ran into the middle (of the crowd) and then I ran out to see my parents and thank the Syracuse fans,’ said center Matt Tarullo. ‘They did an awesome job, especially on those last couple of downs. It was deafening.’

 

 

SU suffered a few minor injuries besides Walter Reyes’ shoulder. Free safety O’Neil Scott limped off the field with 4:20 left in the third quarter. He didn’t return to the game. Diamond Ferri and Kelvin Smith also were banged up during the game, but they returned.

The Orange was forced to use cornerback DeAndre LaCaille on Saturday, perhaps a week earlier than Pasqualoni would have liked. LaCaille, who was recovering from a separated right shoulder, didn’t start the game and wasn’t going to play, until Scott was injured. When Scott left, Anthony Smith moved to free safety to replace him, causing LaCaille to fill in for Smith.

 

 

Syracuse wore its orange jerseys for the first time this season. SU is now 3-1 in the all-orange jerseys since 1991. … Reyes’ touchdown in the first quarter was his 46th of his career, tying him for first on SU’s all-time list with Floyd Little. … Damien Rhodes registered his second 100-yard game of his career. His first came against Rutgers on Oct. 2. … Jones passed 1,000 yards receiving for his career. … True freshman Rice Moss made the first catch of his career in the fourth quarter.

Published on November 7, 2004 at 12:00 pm