Greg Robinson felt compelled to apologize to the fans who dotted the Carrier Dome bleachers.

Less than an hour into Syracuse’s annual Spring Game scrimmage, the Syracuse head coach explained avoiding any more casualties in this injury-plagued spring was more important than extending the festivities any longer.

‘The most important thing is that we got out of here with no one getting hurt,’ Robinson announced over the Dome’s public address system.

The early ending gave the Orange offense a 20-13 victory over the defense. The scoring for the game was based on a unique system Robinson employs for the Spring Game, designed to reward explosive plays and consistency.

But Robinson’s decision also likely left many of the 3,428 fans in attendance wanting more. The scrimmage itself consisted of just 37 plays, and many of those took place without SU’s most notable players. Several players sat out with injuries, while starting quarterback Andrew Robinson played only the game’s opening possession.

‘We had an agenda today which was not to do too much scrimmaging, because we have scrimmaged more (in spring practice) than I ever really wanted to,’ Greg Robinson said after the game. ‘We doubled the number of reps in live scrimmaging this spring, and I think it has been very good for us as a football team.’

Indeed, Saturday at the Carrier Dome resembled a carnival more than a football game. Rock band Luna Halo provided the SU players a soundtrack as they warmed up on the field. The actual scrimmage action was broken up by on-field contests – including one in which a fan attempted to catch balls booted by SU punter Rob Long.

Robinson himself emceed the event, explaining pre-scrimmage drills to fans and providing occasional commentary.

There was football, too, albeit less than most would have expected.

Some of that certainly can be chalked up to SU’s injury situation, especially at running back. Delone Carter and Curtis Brinkley were held out of the game, as was incoming freshman Averin Collier, who fractured his foot in spring practice. Defensive tackle Arthur Jones, arguably SU’s most consistent player on defense last year, also sat out the game with a virus.

Many of Syracuse’s healthy players got a rest, too. Andrew Robinson’s day was finished after seven plays. He ended the afternoon 2-of-4 for 25 yards.

‘I’m not disappointed at all,’ Robinson said. ‘It was a good thing getting out there and getting the reps I got. I thought I took advantage of them. … I got six plays [sic] in there, but they were a solid six plays. You can’t ask for more than that.’

With many of its key parts out, the SU offense was spotty. The Orange ran the ball 23 times, tallying just 56 net rushing yards. Many of those carries went to rising sophomore Doug Hogue, who ran for 34 yards on eight attempts.

The net rushing yards would have been higher had Syracuse’s much-maligned offensive line not allowed four sacks, totaling 28 lost yards.

Carter and Brinkley did participate during the ‘thud’ period prior to the scrimmage. Carter, who claims to be 100 percent recovered from a dislocated hip suffered last spring, said he felt like he could have played.

‘Absolutely, I felt like I was able to get out there and do some things,’ Carter said. ‘I just feel like today was the last day of that, and now I can go forward.’

Senior backup quarterback Cameron Dantley provided the game’s most memorable moment, lofting an inch-perfect 50-yard bomb to rising junior receiver Mike Williams for the game’s first touchdown.

David Legree was also impressive. The redshirt freshman quarterback completed 3-of-4 passes, threw a touchdown and showcased good elusiveness in the pocket.

On defense, rising sophomore Parker Cantey made his case to be the team’s starting strongside linebacker in August – he had a team-best six tackles, one sack and one bone-jarring hit on wide receiver Donte Davis. Backup middle linebacker Mike Stenclik also had six tackles.

But on the game’s final play, with the score tied 13-13, Legree tossed a four-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Nick Provo to give the offense the win.

Then Robinson gave his parting words to the Carrier Dome audience, who couldn’t have gleaned much from the abbreviated display about the state of the Syracuse team. They’ll have to wait until SU’s Aug. 30 opener at Northwestern to find that out.

‘I know what this football team is like,’ Robinson said. ‘I’ve seen them work through the offseason, I’ve seen them in spring ball, and they are going to do everything in their power to make themselves more prepared for training camp, even from where they are at right now. I look forward to getting going.’

jsclayto@syr.edu

Published on April 20, 2008 at 12:00 pm