Syracuse And Akron: Two Schools Weirdly Connected
by Sean Keeley on Aug 30, 2010 4:07 PM EDT
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PrintSyracuse will open its football season this Saturday at 6pm when they travel to Akron to take on the Zips. Usually when it comes to opponents like this, it's hard to find a link or subplot to get fans interested beyond the usual "we want to win" excitement.
In this case, there seems to be way too many links between SU and a MAC team. There's just something about Syracuse and Akron that gives this game more subplots and interesting twists than it could possibly deserve.
- Most notably, there was Akron's 42-28 win over Syracuse in the Carrier Dome two years ago. It was the nadir of the Greg Robinson Era. A week before the eventual loss to Penn State, this was supposed to be the sure win that kept us afloat for bowl consideration. Instead, it was possibly the worst home loss in the Carrier Dome Era and led to the infamous "If Syracuse plays Akron 1,000 times, how many times do you expect to win?" question posed to DOC Gross ("1,000") and Greg Robinson ("StammerstammerstammeruhuhuhIdontknow"). The only good thing to come out of that game? It assured us that Greg Robinson would be fired soon.
- Akron's current coaching staff consists of two guys who might have a personal interest in beating Doug Marrone. The Zips OL coach Mitch "No Fatties Please" Browning was let go when Marrone took over the program two years ago. Last season, D-Line coach Derrick Jackson was fired by Marrone before taking up the same gig at Akron.
- The weirdest connection seems to be the never-ending list of recent recruits who were looking at both Akron AND Syracuse. Donnie Simmons, Dale Peterman, Prince-Tyson Gulley, Louie Addazio, Cameron Lynch and Micah Robinson just to name a few. It got to the point where we were surprised when Akron DIDN'T pop up on the school list for a possible recruit.
- Jose Cruz, Syracuse's newly-minted started tight end transferred to us from Hofstra. But he didn't start at Hofstra. He started at...you guessed it...Akron.
- Syracuse's star player is Delone Carter. Carter was the 2005 Mr. Football in Ohio. His hometown? Akron. Oh and for good measure, Syracuse's No. 3 RB, Prince-Tyson Gulley, hails from just outside Akron. Chances are good someone from Akron will be scoring TDs against Akron on Saturday.
- Akron DE Deni Odofin played high school football at Union-Endicott in Endicott, NY. The same high school and town that current SU DE Chandler Jones is from, as well as older brother Art Jones.
- Akron's new head coach Rob Ianello was briefly linked to the Syracuse job opening before Doug Marrone swooped in.
- Akron and Syracuse are currently tied 1-1 in the overall series. The scoring in the series is tied at 56 apiece.
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Doc Gross
I believe he said “1000 times” and not “none.” At least, I sure as hell hope so!
"(BARF)" - Donovan McNabb, during his game winning drive against Virginia Tech in 1998
Nice of the Doc
to provide some bulletin board fodder for this year’s game.
He should have said… “In the Big East, we like to think that all our teams will beat all MAC teams all of the time. It doesn’t always play out that way, but that’s what we like to think. Upset happen. But we weren’t upset by Akron, we were dominated by Akron. At home. And that is something that can never happen at Syracuse or any other Big East school. I cannot control what happens at every Big East school, but I can control what happens here. And being dominated by a non-BCS school is simply unacceptable.”
Ya
At first, I wrote the question the other way around and then forgot to chance DOC’s response to the correct one.
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Watching that YouTube video about the “downfall of Syracuse football” made me wince all over again. That’s why, as ezcuse has said on here quite a few times, this Akron game is the only game that matters right now. We absolutely positively can not go there and lose that game. Period. Our team isn’t good enough to overlook anybody. Our team is just starting to turn the corner in terms of perception (going from “haha what a joke” to “they still stink, but they’re getting better”). A loss to the Zips absolutely destroys whatever progress we’ve made since Marrone has come aboard.
Is it hyperbole to say that it is the most important Syracuse game since 1987? Maybe…but not by much. We must beat Akron on Saturday. Must.
"(BARF)" - Donovan McNabb, during his game winning drive against Virginia Tech in 1998
by kotite4ever on Aug 30, 2010 4:25 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
definitely
This game, believe it or not, could be a defining moment for the team. Say they (a) lose – you’re talking absolute disaster. Worse than in 2008, when at least some good would come from it because we all knew GRob was finally toast. Any shred of respect that was gained through last seasons efforts is instantly vaporized. If SU (b) wins in modest fashion (like 28-14 last year) most people will say, “yeah, well, they should’ve won that one anyways”, which is better than losing but still doesn’t go down well in my book (probably because I’m still fuming from 2008). Then lets say they © demolish Akron to the tune of a defensive shut-out or just an outright a** whopping. People won’t be so quick to crack that “Syracuse is such a joke” joke anymore. And it would sure be nice to have the starters rested/avoid injury by putting in the 2nd string early for once. That is the luxury you earn by putting the teams you should beat away early.
I could see any of those 3 scenarios play out this weekend. Most likely is (b) obviously, and my totally biased fan opinion say © is more likely than (a). The only people who want a win worse than us fans are the players and coaches. There’s no “looking past anyone” or “trap games” for Syracuse these days. There’s only must-wins games like Akron and then the “Gee, it would be really great to somehow win that one” type of games.
"I'm going through a rough patch in my life right now. Syracuse is 0 and 3" - Adam Sandler
by bloodyyank44 on Aug 30, 2010 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I expected some Lincoln and Kennedy references in there
but this is rather amazing. Also amazing that the only sad part of all these connections are the shared recruits.
Strangely
After winning a couple of national titles in NCAA football 11, the following season I was STILL competing with Akron for recruits. I guess it must mean that both schools attract a certain type of kid – you know, those who love dying rust belt cold weather cities or something.
"(BARF)" - Donovan McNabb, during his game winning drive against Virginia Tech in 1998
by kotite4ever on Aug 31, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
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