LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Andrew Robinson’s first pass was slightly underthrown, and Taj Smith saw he needed to adjust to make the grab. It was the only challenge the Syracuse receiver would face on his way to the endzone.

No defender came close to catching the wide-open Smith on his 79-yard score. No Louisville defensemen came close to stopping the Syracuse offense – up until the last play when Robinson kneeled the ball to run out the final seconds.

And even that moment was fleeting as Syracuse dashed off the field and toward the sidelines to celebrate its upset – with Robinson leading the stream of Orange players.

The first-year starting quarterback pumped his helmet in the air in euphoria as he passed the small contingent of Orange fans cheering on the victors. The Syracuse supporters were all that remained in the bleachers. And the team saluted its devotees for their enthusiasm – and patience.

The Syracuse aerial attack clicked and the defense did just enough against the nation’s most potent offense to secure an improbable 38-35 victory over No. 18 Louisville Saturday afternoon in Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. SU head coach Greg Robinson earned the biggest win of his coaching career, and the Orange, which came into the game as the 36.5-point underdog, opened its Big East conference schedule with a victory for the ages.

It was the first time Syracuse defeated a ranked team since Nov. 27, 2004 over then-No. 17 Boston College.

‘It was very obvious that this is what we talked about on Sunday with the team,’ Robinson said, ‘that we needed all three phases of the football team to play together. It was obvious from offense, to the defense, to the kicking game that they all had great moments and did great things.’

The stats supported the head coach. Numbers that sounded unimaginable during Syracuse’s first three games turned into reality in Louisville.

Andrew Robinson threw for four touchdowns and 423 yards – two yards short of the school record. Smith caught four passes for 173 yards, including the 79-yard score on the first play from scrimmage. SU defensive end Jameel McClain finished with a sack, a forced fumble and an interception. Kick returner Max Suter ran back a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter – Syracuse’s first kickoff return for a touchdown in almost nine years.

It was a solid all-around performance by the Orange, with the most crucial plays coming through the air. Syracuse shocked Louisville by doing to the Cardinals exactly what the country thought the home team would do to its seemingly mismatched opponent.

‘They’re a powerhouse offense,’ Smith said. ‘They can score at any time, but we felt like we could do the same thing. And it happened.’

Long passes, astonishing catches and huge chunks of yardage helped both teams put points on the board early and often. But when it mattered most, Syracuse came through with the big play. From the game’s first play – which Greg Robinson said the team had worked on all week – to the simple bubble screen Smith, which turned into a 60-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

‘It’s a great thing when the receivers are catching the ball obviously,’ Andrew Robinson said. ‘They caught some balls today in the past weeks they might’ve dropped. It was tough catches that they caught.’

After having no answers in three blowout losses to start the season, Syracuse always had a response when it appeared the Cardinals were gaining momentum. When Louisville tied the game at seven early in the second quarter, the Orange refused to relinquish the momentum. Suter returned the ensuing kickoff for a score. Following a Louisville touchdown in the third quarter to make the score 21-14, Robinson stood tall and zinged a touchdown pass to Smith.

Cardinals quarterback Brian Brohm ended up with more passing yards – 555 – than Robinson, but the Heisman candidate could not complete the passes when it counted most. He overthrew open receivers and tossed two interceptions, including one to McClain.

‘We were just working, we kept working,’ McClain said. ‘It’s a matter of putting your heart into. If you put your heart into and the rest of your body will follow.’

Fundamental mistakes still appeared for the Orange. Poor tackling, a weak running game and two costly fumbles certainly aided in Louisville’s comeback from a 38-21 fourth-quarter deficit.

Nevertheless, the Orange took its time after the game to bask in the glory of the team’s largest victory in years. Director of Athletics Daryl Gross walked into the locker room with his arm around Greg Robinson.

This was a team that had not come within three touchdowns of a win before Louisville. But with the start of the Big East schedule and the emergence of a newfound passing attack, it appears Syracuse has a fresh mentality. And an enormous win to build off of.

‘I’m very proud of our team and very proud of our coaches,’ Robinson said. ‘We are 1-0 in the Big East, and that’s what we play for.’

Published on September 23, 2007 at 12:00 pm