Syracuse vs. Louisville: And Ryan Nassib Shall Lead Them...

by Sean Keeley on Oct 28, 2011 12:08 PM EDT

Ryan Nassib was the starting quarterback for the Syracuse Orange three years ago for about three months. Then, Greg Paulus made Doug Marrone cry and that title was usurped from Nassib.

It's easy to look back on the Paulus year and say it was a waste. However I think it's fair to say that Ryan Nassib is the better for it. He is, by all accounts, ahead of schedule, and being able to learn in that season instead of being thrown to the wolves might have been exactly what he needed.

"Looking back, sometimes I’m mad at myself for the decisions I made on the field two years ago," said Nassib, who was 36 of 68 for 422 yards and three TDs with one interception. "I just didn’t know. I guess I was naive and ignorant.

"Now, I feel I’m much better because of it," he said. "It really helped me. It made me learn a lot about myself as a quarterback. Coach Marrone put me in a situation where I was able to be brought along instead of just being thrown into the fire, but it’s like any position when someone takes your job. If you’re a competitive guy, that’s tough. But after time, I realize what was good out of it."

Nassib hasn't beaten Louisville as a starter. To change that, he's going to have to keep doing what he's been doing. And he's going to have to find a way to get all his weapons involved:

Orange receivers, coming off their best game of the season in terms of catching the ball, will face the kind of press man coverage that has given them fits this season. The emergence of Dorian Graham in the last two games as a receiver capable of beating such tactics should help. So should the presence of tight end Nick Provo, who has established himself as a target capable of getting open deep. SU must look to each asset Saturday, and each must deliver. The Orange cannot afford to be made one-dimensional on offense. They must be able to pass effectively.

Syracuse University football offensive tackle Justin Pugh has all the tools to be a star...Dave Rahme

The Axepress Lane SU-Louisville mini-preview...Brent Axe

Two-faced Syracuse arrives for All Hallows weekend...Card Game

Syracuse, Louisville try to keep momentum...ESPN

Still alive in Big East race, Louisville hosts Syracuse...The Juice Online

Cardinal Concern: The Dougie Guards Against the Dreaded SU Letdown...Orange Fizz

Louisville Quick Predictions...Orange44

Tweet Comment 16 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Does Mike Burkowski (spelling?) have a gallery of Cuse images from this year?

by adselver15 on Oct 28, 2011 12:21 PM EDT reply actions

Yes

There is one at the Post Standard

by Piety Hill on Oct 28, 2011 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Borkowski

by Pinker on Oct 28, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I said at the time....

that I thought Paulus was a good move from the standpoint of showing the other players how to “show up for work” each day. I think Ryan Nassib has done a tremendous job emulating that as is evidenced by his play and his overall approach. From seeing the defense to going through his reads to conducting himself as a leader on and (apparently) off the field, I see what Paulus was. Nassib is in a much, much better situation now than Paulus was in but I think there are parallels and with good reason.

Bologna

by AndyKinsella on Oct 28, 2011 1:30 PM EDT reply actions