Don’t mention those pesky details to him, because as soon as you do, the Syracuse football team’s running back will revert back to his typical self.

He missed three games this season because of sickness and injury. Those preseason hopes – remember, Walter Reyes was a Heisman Trophy candidate at one point – fell remarkably short, as did his bid to become SU’s all-time leading rusher.Now that Syracuse will play in the Champs Sports Bowl on Dec. 21 in Orlando, Fla., Reyes’ career extends one more game. SU’s game against Georgia Tech gives Reyes one last chance to leave school the way he wanted.

But mention all those shortcomings to Reyes and be prepared. He’ll revert back to his selfless attitude.

‘Hey, we won a share of the conference championship,’ Reyes said after being asked to reflect on his senior season. ‘I just want to win. I can’t complain about this season.’

If you pay attention closely, though, it does bite at him a bit. He rushed for 800 yards in eight games, barely reaching the coveted 100-yards-a-game mark. His 3,421 career yards left him 878 yards short of Joe Morris’ career mark. He wobbled off the Carrier Dome in his last home game because he injured his shoulder.

But now Reyes is practicing at full speed with SU, the first time since the preparation for Pittsburgh on Nov. 6.

‘That’s all I asked for,’ Reyes said. ‘Just one more chance. I’ve worked my butt off to get back. It’s a blessing to get one last shot.’

Reyes said he’s about 85 percent and should be 100 percent by Dec. 21.

‘I’m not taking a lot of reps because I’m still getting my body back in shape,’ Reyes said. ‘But I’m working. So I’m doing a lot of reps, but not all the reps yet.’

Had SU missed a bowl, he would have ended his season less than majestically.

It started so promising. Coming off a 1,347-yard season with 20 touchdowns, Reyes started the season as a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate.

It immediately crashed. Syracuse lost, 51-0, to Purdue as Reyes rushed for 31 yards.

More subpar performances shelved his potentially record-setting season. Reyes sat against West Virginia with the flu. Then, he ended his Carrier Dome career on the turf, as he winced in pain after tearing a muscle in his shoulder against Pittsburgh.

‘It’s unfortunate it happened,’ Reyes said, ‘but I’ve had a lot of fun on the turf.’

Now, Reyes gets another chance to end his career right.

‘Absolutely it’s important for him,’ SU coach Paul Pasqualoni said. ‘For those kids like Walter who have been banged up, it’s a great chance for them to be able to come all the way back and feel good.’

Reyes sounded optimistic about playing against Boston College, SU’s last regular-season game. But he sat out practice all that week and missed the game, too.

Now Reyes is practicing again. He and backup Damien Rhodes should provide a formidable running back duo against Georgia Tech.

‘He looked pretty good out there today,’ center Matt Tarullo said. ‘He was hitting the holes. He broke a real good one.’

Said Reyes: ‘I’ve worked so hard to help my teammates and the coaches out. Having another opportunity, this really is my last game and the last game for the seniors, it’s a great thing.’

Published on December 8, 2004 at 12:00 pm