Mental miscues still hinder Orange progress
SYRACUSE — The Carrier Dome staff worked diligently to sweep away the remains of Syracuse's latest defeat Saturday.
Wrappers, popcorn boxes, drink containers and programs littered the aisles, waiting to be picked up. The venue won't see another home football game for another three weeks.
Until then, the Orange needs to clean up its own mistakes.
Cincinnati's roster of versatile athletes didn't overwhelm Syracuse as in the past two years, but the Orange isn't close to the Bearcats' level of play. SU's greatest weakness lies between its ears. During the program's hopeless stretch over the latter part of the decade, mental miscues have crippled chances at garnering program-defining wins.
Saturday served as a microcosm of the major issue at hand. Syracuse has struggled to execute in pivotal situations, and against Cincinnati, the results were the same. Trailing 14-7 in the second quarter, starting quarterback Greg Paulus floated a poorly-thrown pass that was intercepted by the Bearcats in the end zone, halting an opportunity to forge a tie with the nation's fifth-ranked team at intermission.
Delone Carter coughed up a critical fumble in the second half inside the Bearcats' 10-yard line on a drive that could've galvanized the Orange's comeback aspirations. Again, SU stopped itself.
"It is disappointing at that second, but I just try to keep my composure so my whole mindset on my game really doesn't go down," Carter said. "Bad stuff happens, but you have to keep positive and keep moving forward."
The defense committed careless penalties that kept Cincinnati drives afloat in Syracuse territory, but fortunately, the Bearcats were unable to capitalize. There were blown coverages, whiffs on tackle attempts and missed assignments. The act was all too familiar. Orange head coach Doug Marrone said his team's performance isn't where it needs to be.
"I'll take it," Marrone said. "It's on me. I have to do a better job."
QUARTERBACK QUANDARY
The boos emanating from a petulant crowd began in the third quarter.
Syracuse quarterback Greg Paulus was jogging back onto the field midway through the frame, and the jeers were undeniable. Backup Ryan Nassib had completed a first-down pass to Van Chew to keep the Orange's final noteworthy drive alive. The fans wanted more from the sophomore, but Nassib went back to the sidelines to wait for his next turn.
The scene in the second half was startling. Frustrated SU enthusiasts had seen enough of Paulus. They wanted Nassib, who earned a few more snaps against Cincinnati. He completed two passes for 47 yards on the Orange's touchdown drive in the first quarter. He finished 7 of 10 for 97 yards and displayed plenty of poise in the pocket. Nassib was encouraged by the crowd support.
"It made me feel good," Nassib said. "I think they were cheering for the whole offense, and it was good to have the fans behind us."
Paulus became the target of the crowd's ire after tossing the inexcusable interception in the second quarter. He was unable to generate any scoring opportunities in the second half. He went 12 of 17, but threw for just 85 yards. Paulus said he wasn't tuned in to the crowd and worried more about the activity on the field.
As expected, Doug Marrone was asked if Paulus would remain the starter. The response wasn't a surprise either.
"Yes," Marrone said.
CATALINA CATCHES ON
Cody Catalina seemed destined to record his first collegiate touchdown as a quarterback.
Times, coaches and strategies have changed since the junior's arrival at Syracuse. On Saturday, he collected his first career touchdown on a reception as a tight end in the first quarter.
"This week, I thought I had to make a play and help the team," said Catalina, who was recruited by former Su coach Greg Robinson as a quarterback. "Most of the time, I'm in the run game and I'm helping as much as I can there. It was a great play action, they brought the blitz and there was no one there to cover me. I'm excited for my first touchdown, but I would've liked to get the win."
AROUND THE DOME ...
Syracuse junior cornerbackKevyn Scottwent down with a left leg injury in the second quarter and did not return. ... The Orange improved its third-down conversion rate, going 7-for-14 against the Bearcats. ... SU senior captainArthur Jonesrecorded two tackles for a loss to move into third place all-time on the program's career tackles for a loss list with 38.
