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 as he cruised to a 79-yard score on the game’s first play from scrimmage. Robinson and the rest of the Orange – with momentum finally on their side – had found their rhythm. With one play, Syracuse offered hope it could erase the memories of a horrid, 0-3 start to the season.

The Syracuse aerial attack clicked and the defense did just enough against the nation’s most potent offense to secure a 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 37-point underdogs, opened its Big East conference schedule with the most improbable of victories.

‘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 no doubt supported the head coach. Numbers that sounded unimaginable during the 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 and co-captain Jameel McClain finished with a sack, a forced fumble and an interception. SU safety/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, improbable 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 first play – which Robinson said the team had worked on all week – to the simple crossing pattern Smith 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.’

The Cardinals defense struggled against Robinson and his receivers. Four players had receptions of more than 40 yards. Most of those receptions came from attacking right down the middle of the field.

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

Brohm ended up with more passing yards – 555 of them – than Robinson, but the possible No. 1 NFL draft pick next year, could not complete the passes when it counted most. He overthrew open receivers and tossed two interceptions. Brohm struggled to handle the pressure he faced throughout the day from the Syracuse defensive line.

‘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.’

The fundamental mistakes still appeared for the Orange. Poor tackling and a weak running game 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. Once the final seconds ticked off, the players greeted the small contingent of Syracuse fans in the crowd. 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 prior to Louisville. But with the start of the Big East schedule and the emergence of a newfound passing attack, it appears Syracuse has a mentality of starting over. ‘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 21, 2007 at 12:00 pm