Doug Marrone came to the defense of maligned cornerback Nico Scott Monday, but did not give a clear indication of who will start at the position in this weekend’s game against West Virginia. Scott has been a particularly weak link in Syracuse’s beleaguered secondary and continued to struggle Saturday in SU’s 34-20 loss to South Florida.

Scott was benched after allowing an 85-yard touchdown pass to USF wide receiver Carlton Mitchell, from B.J. Daniels, on the first play of the second half. Da’Mon Merkerson, a converted wideout, played the rest of the game at corner.

Speaking at his weekly press conference with local media, Marrone confirmed only that Scott is still atop the depth chart without elaborating on his future plans for the coming days.

‘As far as I know right now, it’s Nico Scott,’ said Marrone, SU’s head football coach. ‘No one has made any changes yet. We have not made one change from a personnel standpoint. So Nico Scott is starting as of right now.’

After Saturday’s game, Marrone said he planned to use Merkerson against the Bulls because of his recent performance in practice, and that Merkerson would have played regardless of Scott’s recent woes. But the timing of the substitution suggested more than a coincidence.

With Syracuse trailing by just one point at the start of the third quarter, Mitchell beat Scott with an out-and-up move, and was wide open down the sideline.

Merkerson entered the game soon afterward.

The long touchdown may have been the key play of the entire game, giving USF a 21-13 lead. The point spread would never be closer.

Despite Scott’s poor performance, though, Marrone offered a vote of confidence to his cornerback and tried to deflect the blame and criticism, saying that Scott was not the reason why the Orange ultimately lost the game.

‘I told Nico this: ‘The people that play this game in real live situations are going to get beat,” Marrone said. ‘There’s not a person that’s played this game of football that hasn’t gotten knocked on their butt, or hasn’t gotten beat. The true test of Nico, and the rest of our football team, is how do we respond to things.’

Regardless of Scott’s status for Saturday, it seems Merkerson will become a permanent fixture in the Orange secondary. Merkerson has bounced around between wide receiver and cornerback during his SU career, and began this season listed as a wideout.

After realizing he may not see much action with the offense, Merkerson approached Marrone last week and asked if he could be switched back to defense, hoping to receive more playing time. Marrone agreed after discussing the move with the defensive coaches and decided to use Merkerson in the secondary after watching him in practice.

Merkerson recorded two tackles in the game.

Catalina, Provo, Carter to miss game

Syracuse tight ends Cody Catalina and Nick Provo, and linebacker E.J. Carter, will miss Saturday’s game against West Virginia, according to a statement released by SU Athletics Monday evening. Catalina and Provo suffered injuries in the contest against USF and will be reevaluated next week. Carter has been suspended for violating team rules.

Defensive end Brandon Sharpe and defensive back Phillip Thomas have recovered from their injuries and will be back in the lineup.

Provo has four catches for 55 yards this season, while Catalina has eight receptions for 58 yards.

Gross speaks on Ernie Davis Legends Field

Syracuse University Director of Athletics Daryl Gross confirmed Monday that new signage and displays should be on the Carrier Dome field in time for Saturday’s game. The football and lacrosse field will be named ‘Ernie Davis Legends Field’ during halftime in SU’s contest with West Virginia.

The decision stemmed from a donation by Sam and Carol Nappi in Davis’ honor. Davis, the subject of last year’s film ‘The Express,’ was a tailback for the Orangemen from 1959-61, and was the first African-American to win the prestigious Heisman Trophy. Gross would not say the exact amount of the donation, but called it ‘very generous.’ Sam Nappi is the founder of Alliance Energy in Forestburgh, N.Y.

Gross said the words ‘Ernie Davis Legends Field’ will be painted underneath the block ‘S’ at midfield, and the 44-yard lines will both be adorned with an orange No. 44.

‘It’s such an honor to be able to get someone not to put their own name on the field or not put a corporation on the field, and take Ernie Davis because he meant so much to them and have that represent our football field,’ Gross said.

jediamon@syr.edu

Published on October 5, 2009 at 12:00 pm