Greg Paulus began trotting toward the sidelines and cut upfield instead. Tucked in the corner of the end zone, players were mobbing tight end Carl Cutler. So Syracuse’s quarterback darted over and leaped on top of the heap.

For once, Paulus could enjoy his football endeavor.

‘There is so much hard work and time spent in there with the Syracuse family,’ said Paulus, who threw for 142 yards and the score to Cutler. ‘To go out and get a win like this is something we’re all going to remember.’

In whipping Rutgers, 31-13, Saturday, the Orange’s offense finally broke out. The rushing game was dominant. The passing game was effective. And the offense in general steamrolled the Big East’s second-ranked defense for 424 yards, 23 first downs and four touchdowns.

In other words, a glimmer of light for a unit that’s been mostly lost throughout Big East play.

‘We did a good job finishing some drives and putting points on the board,’ Paulus said. ‘When you mix the pass and run – and we did a good job with both of those-it’s going to be us on the field, and that’s what you want.’

Most of Syracuse’s damage came on the ground, where SU focused on running to the edges of Rutgers’ defense. The trio of Delone Carter, Antwon Bailey and Averin Collier torched the Scarlet Knights for 210 yards and three touchdowns. But just as important was Syracuse’s mistake-proof passing game.

Plagued by errant throws throughout this season, Paulus was 13-of-16. At times, he hit Bailey on swing passes. Other times, he drove the ball downfield. Complementing this was backup Ryan Nassib, who rotated into the game regularly.

In sum, Syracuse played a cruel game of keep-away, dominating the time of possession battle, 40:01-19:59. In sum, a total eclipse from the clutter of punts and turnovers of weeks past.

‘Practice and practice,’ said wideout Alec Lemon, who caught three passes for 40 yards. ‘All last week we worked on our execution and finishing. That’s what we did today.’

SU overcomes poor special teams

The offense was nearly flawless. The defense, stingy as it has been all year. But Syracuse’s special teams? Saturday was one lingering migraine.

The Orange had two punts blocked (one for a safety), another blocked field goal attempt with the game still in doubt, a failed onside kick attempt that set up a Rutgers touchdown and allowed a 50-yard kick return.

In games past, blunders like these killed games. Against Rutgers, SU endured. The final black eye on special teams – the blocked field goal – was the biggest threat to Syracuse’s upset.

It was supposed to be the icing on the cake. But instead of taking a 27-10 lead on a chip shot, though, Rutgers’ Joe Lefeged broke free to block the kick. Rutgers answered with a field goal of its own, and suddenly it was a 24-13 game to start the fourth quarter.

Right guard Josh White took the blame. He knew how SU dealt with this final special teams gaffe would determine the game.

‘The block came from my side,’ White said. ‘We still have to focus and fight. The game was nowhere near over. Momentum shifts in and out of games all the time. So we still have to fight no matter what.’

Added Lemon, ‘There are going to be bumps in the road. You have to overcome them. Once we got the ball we went right back to work.’

Syracuse’s defense stymied Rutgers’ next two possessions, and Averin Collier sealed the win with a 60-yard touchdown run.

Robinson caps career in SU

This isn’t the way Andrew Robinson envisioned Senior Day. Not as a reserve tight end. But he’ll take it.

‘Days like this are what really make it all worth it – the transition and the emotional strain,’ Robinson said. ‘I can’t say enough for the seniors who have stuck with this program and all the transition.’

Two years ago, Robinson was Syracuse’s starting quarterback. With Mike Williams and Taj Smith flanked wide, the sophomore had his moments during a 2-10 season. Robinson threw for 2,192 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Then things spiraled downhill. The next year, Robinson was benched after SU’s first game and never earned the job back, Doug Marrone was named the new head coach, and Robinson was moved to tight end.

Not the ebb-and-flow sequence the quarterback envisioned. But Robinson is taking plenty of solace.

‘I faced adversity,’ Robinson said. ‘I can always look back and say it was a tough time but I made it. Now I am graduating, and I am a part of a great team.’

thdunne@syr.edu

Published on November 24, 2009 at 12:00 pm