JoePa Thinks Syracuse Sucks A Little Less This Year

by Sean Keeley on Sep 9, 2009 12:54 PM EDT

Last year, Joe Paterno was cordial in discussing the Syracuse football team after his Nittany Lions dismantled it 55-13 and racked up 560 yards of offense. ""They played hard" was all he could muster. This year, Joe's coming clean about what he say last year in order to talk about how much better his opponent looks this season:

"Last year they didn't play with a lot of enthusiasm," he said. "They didn't have that excitement about them."

"Syracuse looks like a pretty darn good football team to me," he said after looking at SU's 23-20 overtime loss to Minnesota. "Maybe they weren't so good last year, but this is a different year. This is a different kind of football team. They hustled and made some plays."

For his part, Doug Marrone would consider it a great honor if he could bring a win over the Nittany Lions back to Syracuse. It's something he never got to accomplish as a player here:

"It's something that I look back at my career and I apologize to our fans and to Coach (Dick MacPherson) that they put in so much effort and I was never able to be a part of a team that beat Penn State," said Marrone, a former Orange offensive tackle. "I know everyone who played with me feels that way."

In preparation for the upcoming game on the grass in Happy Valley, the SU kickers took to the grassy fields yesterday. After kicking two field goals last week, it would seem that Ryan Lichtenstein has a firm grasp on his starting spot. For now.

Two videos to wrap things up. First up, LB Brandon Sharpe who had a very solid game on defense and special teams as the official "wedge-buster" on kickoffs. As Marrone puts it, Sharpe is the perfect guy for the role as he's the type to have "a total disregard for their body."

SU Freshman Defensive End Brandon Sharpe

Finally, Greg Paulus talks about the previous game and what's in the works as he prepares for the Lions.

SU Quarterback Greg Paulus Talks Minnesota and Penn State

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A quick note about the kicking situation

At halftime, there was another kicker out there booting FG’s from midfield… He hit 3 in a row… I thought we signed a kicker recently but I couldn’t find him on the roster. Either way, there were 2 kickers warming up for the Orange, Lichenstein was kicking extra points – 30 yarders and the other kid was blasting them from 60 yards out. Maybe he’s not eligible or redshirting? I dunno.

by Rocket Ship Science on Sep 9, 2009 2:08 PM EDT reply actions

Must be Jake Smith..

He had enrolled late, last month. Reports were he has a strong leg, good to hear about the range from the warmups. He is eligible, just behind Lichtenstein on the depth chart. Sounds like its Lichtenstein’s job to lose, but hopefully he’ll be solid the rest of the way as he was against Minni.

by FirmKick on Sep 9, 2009 2:23 PM EDT reply actions