After Syracuse’s season-opening loss to West Virginia, SU head coach Greg Robinson said he saw potential in the running game, that the Orange was one or two blocks away from springing a few big gains.

Against a talent-deprived Buffalo team on Saturday, those game breakers became a reality. Damien Rhodes, the offense’s most dangerous option, rushed for 236 yards on 28 carries and scored four touchdowns in a 31-0 lashing of the Bulls at the Carrier Dome in front of 34,442.

Rhodes’ scores included runs of 27, 50 and 54 yards. His effort put him fourth on SU’s all-time list for rushing yards in a single game. His four TDs tied him for third most in a game on the ground.

‘There were eight jerseys coming in front of me, so I just tried to find those creases and hit it,’ Rhodes said. ‘The more experience you get in a real game situation, the more you can understand this offense.’

Robinson was also complimentary of the improved play of his offensive line. Against West Virginia, several SU players complained that West Virginia’s speed on defense limited them.

With huge holes opening in front of him, Rhodes used his speed to spring big gains against the Bulls, though.

‘Our blocking downfield was big,’ Robinson said. ‘When you go running right through the offensive line without anybody touching you, something good is going on there. Once (Rhodes) got into the open field they weren’t going to catch him.’

Rhodes got off to a quick start against the Bulls. On SU’s second drive of the game, he pulled away for a 27-yard scamper up the middle, putting the Orange ahead, 7-0.

With 2:21 remaining in the first half, Rhodes broke free for a 54-yard touchdown run, further cementing SU’s victory, 24-0.

By halftime, the senior from nearby Manlius had rushed for 216 yards on 19 carries. Safely ahead 27-0, backups Kareem Jones, Paul Chiara and Curtis Brinkley took a majority of the snaps in the second half.

Rhodes’ output was reminiscent of Walter Reyes’ 241-yard game against Central Florida in the Carrier Dome in 2003 when the former SU running back also tallied four scores on the ground.

Though UB (0-2, 0-0 MAC) lacked a formidable pass rush, Rhodes’ play kept the Bulls in check, allowing quarterback Perry Patterson to look downfield for long completions. In the third quarter, he hit receiver Tim Lane with a 44-yard bomb to set up a one-yard score for Rhodes.

The way Rhodes opened up the offense for Patterson reminded quarterback coach Major Applewhite of another big-play back while he was the starting signal caller for the University of Texas.

‘It makes all the difference in the world,’ Applewhite said. ‘If you have a great back you can turn around and give it to, it takes a lot of pressure off. For a young guy learning the system, it makes a tremendous difference.

‘When I was a true freshman (at Texas), I had Ricky Williams and he took a hell of a lot of pressure off me. Obviously the run game helps the pass. Nothing’s changed in football.’

Published on September 11, 2005 at 12:00 pm