Tony Jenkins was on a verbal roll Wednesday, and nothing could stop him.

Not the press surrounding him. Not the fatigue he probably felt following practice. Not even the Syracuse football team’s opponent … the … who?

‘We showed what we can do against Boston College,’ said Jenkins, a defensive tackle. ‘We’re hoping there’ll be a follow-up against … um …’

Jenkins stammered. An uncomfortable pause followed.

‘Georgia Tech?’ a reporter offered.

‘Yeah,’ Jenkins said, ‘Georgia Tech.’

With that, Jenkins waddled back to the locker room.

Perhaps he can’t be blamed. After all, SU has barely begun preparing for the Champs Sports Bowl, which pits SU against the Yellow Jackets on Dec. 21.‘It’s important,’ Syracuse coach Paul Pasqualoni said. ‘You get to see the future of your team. We’re not into formal preparation yet for Georgia Tech. So it’s like a developmental stage. In a lot of ways, it’s like the first day of spring practice.’

So far, most of SU’s practices have focused on incorporating younger players. SU begins planning for Georgia Tech on Saturday.

‘Right now it’s just the younger guys who will be coming in playing,’ safety Diamond Ferri said. ‘It’s just so focused. Everyone wants to have fun.’

‘A couple of these practices are geared toward the 2005 team,’ running back Walter Reyes said. ‘Just give them a chance to show what they can do. I remember in 2001 getting an opportunity to show what I can do. It gives guys a lot of confidence.’

Only the senior class has prepared for a bowl before because the Orange failed to qualify for a game each of the past two years.

‘This senior class has been through a lot,’ Reyes said. ‘We went through a 4-8 and 6-6 season. All the coaching rumors. But we always stuck together. That’s what made this senior class so special.’

Expectedly, players expressed support for their newly retained head coach.

‘I’m happy he’ll be back,’ center Matt Tarullo said. ‘It’s a great program we have here. I hope they do great next year. I hope they sell out the Dome every game.’

Rumors circled all year that the university would dismiss Pasqualoni. After a 34-24 loss to Temple on Nov. 13, it appeared certain.

But after SU upset then-No. 17 Boston College, 43-17, on Nov. 27, Director of Athletics Jake Crouthamel recommended Pasqualoni stay, and Chancellor Nancy Cantor accepted that recommendation.

‘It felt like the players might have been the only ones supporting him,’ Jenkins said. ‘The fans weren’t necessarily supporting him. Now, the administration is supporting him. So that is nice.’

Now, without the distractions, players can finally focus solely on football.

‘I think so,’ Reyes said. ‘The coaches and players are tuned in to Georgia Tech. Now we’re not worried about what’s swirling around.’

Ferri played more than 100 plays in SU’s win over Boston College after running back Damien Rhodes went down with an injury.

Would he line up in the backfield against Georgia Tech?

‘I can’t tell you,’ Ferri said. ‘That’s top secret. If I tell you, I’ll have to kill you.’

Syracuse last played Georgia Tech in the 2001 Kickoff Classic. SU lost, 13-7. … Four of Tech’s five losses have come to top 10 teams. The Yellow Jackets also beat then-No. 20 Clemson and then-No. 23 Maryland.

Published on December 9, 2004 at 12:00 pm