Dowayne Davis started at cornerback instead of his usual position of safety. The logic was simple. The move permitted Syracuse to have its best players on the first defense, Davis said.

SU head coach Greg Robinson said he made the position changes during last week’s practice. Placing the rising senior at cornerback resulted in A.J. Brown starting at strong safety. The decision to move Davis out of position came as a surprise because cornerbacks Jason Tanner and Quinton Brown were considered the front runners for the second cornerback spot.

‘I think that you can read into it any way you want,’ Robinson said. ‘I think it’s more of finding out what we have. It’s more of me seeing what we have in Dowayne. I’ve never seen him as a corner before. To see him these four days has been helpful. And I do feel good about A.J. I think A.J. has played well throughout the spring.’

Safeties coach Scott Spencer added he was looking to see how many options were out there for the Syracuse secondary.

‘They’re all different spots, but same technique,’ Spencer said. ‘We just interchange them and see how they function together.’

Davis and Brown combined for eight tackles during the Spring Game. Davis originally played cornerback in high school before joining the Orange. And he has his own pros and cons about both positions.

‘I like playing safety just because I can talk more and run around the field,’ Davis said. ‘But now I’m finding out, at corner you’re making the same amount of plays and you’re still in the mix, and it’s a little less tiring.’

O-line pulls its own weightSyracuse’s much-maligned offensive line seemed to be pulling its own weight in the Spring Game. The offensive line was a major weakness last year for the Orange, allowing 45 sacks in 2006.

The starting line held the defense without a sack this weekend. The statistic might be deceiving, though, since blitzes are prohibited in the Spring Game. Still, the offensive line came out of the game with a positive feeling.

‘I think we executed very well,’ guard Carroll Madison said. ‘(Quarterback) Andrew (Robinson) did a good job getting the ball out of his hands. The offense protected well.’

Perky PerkinsThe majority of Syracuse’s roster entered the game, giving some second- and third-string players a chance to shine.

Out of all the backups who performed, it was rising redshirt sophomore Anthony Perkins who gave the most illuminating showing. Perkins snagged the game’s only interception and also recorded a tackle for a loss.

The interception was the highlight for the defensive lineman. Perkins tipped the Robinson pass at the line. Receiver Taj Smith still managed to pluck the ball from the air but lost control of it. Perkins turned around and snagged the pick.

‘I was extremely nervous because I didn’t know what to do with the ball,’ Perkins said. ‘I almost ended up running the wrong way. I went to the near sideline and I finally got tackled. It was a fun experience.’

Carter makes an appearanceInstead of a football, two crutches rested underneath the arms of Delone Carter. It was a change in scenery for fans, but they made sure to show support for the injured SU running back.

After Greg Robinson announced Carter’s presence on the sidelines, the rising sophomore hobbled a couple yards inbounds and waved to spectators in the Carrier Dome stands. The crowd responded with a loud cheer.

Carter dislocated his hip on April 14. SU’s starting running back is expected to miss the 2007 season.

Barker does it allSyracuse punter John Barker displayed versatility Saturday. Aside from his punting duties, Barker held field goals and played wide receiver for the Orange. However, the most bizarre play of the game came with Barker at his primary position.

Barker’s first punt of the game hit a wire hanging down from the Carrier Dome ceiling left over from an admitted students spring reception on Friday. The wire knocked the punt out of the air backward and the play was called dead by officials. The referees spotted the ball 25 yards up field.

Neshei-waitingSyracuse tight end Jawad Nesheiwat said there’s a 50 percent chance Saturday’s game was his last for the Orange. Nesheiwat, junior college transfer, is fighting the NCAA for another year of eligibility.

Published on April 22, 2007 at 12:00 pm