Doug Hogue came to the line of scrimmage, looked at the defense, and started salivating. Rutgers brought its safeties up into the box for what looked like an all-out blitz, and Hogue immediately saw a perfect opportunity to break a big one.

‘I was just hoping Cam (Dantley) saw what I saw and would check to me,’ said Hogue, Syracuse’s sophomore tailback. ‘I had been waiting to make a big play since the moment I got here.’

Fortunately for Hogue, Dantley did see the blitz coming and called an audible at the line of scrimmage. Hogue, who was likely in the game for pass blocking, took the handoff and burst through the line of scrimmage untouched on his way to an 82-yard touchdown run to give the Orange a 7-0 first quarter lead.

It was the fifth-longest rushing play in school history and the longest rushing touchdown by a Syracuse back since Bruce Yancy’s 83-yard scamper in 1953.

The monster run in the Orange’s 35-17 loss to the Scarlet Knights Saturday was a sort of vindication for Hogue, who has seen his carries drop greatly with the stellar performance of Curtis Brinkley this season. It was the sort of play he hopes will spark the coaching staff’s attention – a reminder that he still has something to contribute to this team.

‘Man, it felt good,’ Hogue said. ‘It was what I needed to make me feel like I was making a difference.’

Saturday’s touchdown was the second straight game Hogue made a big play. On Nov. 1 against Louisville, Hogue caught a 37-yard pass, also off a Dantley audible.

But Hogue hasn’t contributed much this year, especially in the running game. He has just 34 carries for 228 yards and two touchdowns. Last season as a freshman, Hogue had 77 rushing attempts, becoming the starter with Brinkley and Delone Carter both injured.

Now that Brinkley is healthy and playing well, Hogue has been used primarily on third down for pass blocking and has fallen out of the tailback rotation.

Breaking back into it probably won’t be easy. Syracuse’s tailback picture is muddied next season, despite Brinkley’s graduation. Carter will vie for the starting job along with current backup Antwon Bailey. Averin Collier, who is redshirting this season, will also be in the mix.

Hogue knows his path may be blocked and said he has considered moving to linebacker in the future, but no coach has broached the subject with him.

‘That hasn’t been brought up at all to my knowledge,’ SU running backs coach Randy Trivers said. ‘But I do know that any coach on this team would love to have him because he’s such a great athlete.’

Stopping Donald Brown

Syracuse’s defense has turned much of its attention in practice this week to stopping Connecticut tailback Donald Brown when the two teams meet Saturday in the Carrier Dome (7 p.m., ESPNU). Brown comes into the game the leading rusher in the nation, averaging about 156 yards per game. He also has 15 touchdowns.

‘Containing him is our No. 1 goal,’ SU linebacker Jake Flaherty said. ‘If we can stop him, we have a pretty good chance to win this game.’

It certainly will not be easy. The Orange is ranked 106th in the country in rush defense, allowing almost 204 yards per game. Last week against Rutgers, Syracuse gave up 143 yards to tailback Kordell Young.

And Brown will be Syracuse’s greatest challenge yet.

‘It’s gut check time,’ defensive coordinator Derrick Jackson said. ‘Who is going to fold first?’

Senior Farewell

Saturday is the final home game of the season, marking the last time the Orange’s seniors will play in the Dome. Before kickoff, Syracuse will honor its 17 seniors, including all four captains: Flaherty, safety Bruce Williams, fullback Tony Fiammetta and kicker Pat Shadle.

‘It’s going to be emotional, but I am trying not to think about it yet,’ Flaherty said. ‘We’ve been through a lot here, and I know how much I’m going to miss it.’

jediamon@syr.edu

Published on November 12, 2008 at 12:00 pm