Bailey ready for breakout season

A week ago, instead of the usual Syracuse University football practice, head coach Doug Marrone had the players sit, reflect and document their emotions as the new year approached.

"It was an exercise where around game time you're supposed to gather up the emotions you were feeling," running back Antwon Bailey said. "One of my emotions was anxious. I can't wait. It's been a long time coming."

Bailey, who will split time with Delone Carter, understood that this, his junior season, could be his breakout year, especially with every team focusing on Carter.

"We have a lot of strength in the backfield," Bailey said. "That includes Delone and, obviously, myself. We have a very improved offensive line."

Last year, Carter took the ball 30 times and rushed for 170 yards and three touchdowns against Akron in a 28-14 triumph. This year, the Zips are retooled with the help of former Syracuse defensive line coach Derrick Jackson, who accepted a position at Akron in the offseason.

"He'll have a good idea on our personnel," Marrone said of Jackson. "The coaching style today is setting out the expectations and if something different happens, we'll be able to make the adjustments and changes."

That means, instead of Carter moving the chains it's Bailey. He had 67 carries for 339 yards last season with one touchdown. He expects much better numbers this year.

"I want to show everybody what we have," Bailey said. "I'm just ready."

Syracuse has a good chance — a 7-point favorite — to start the season 1-0. That hasn't happened since 2003 when Syracuse beat North Carolina on the road.

"It's very important for us to start off with a win," Bailey said. "We have to start this thing off right. It could catapult us into this season."

Bailey will play a substantial part if Syracuse knocks off Akron.

A second weapon in the backfield will prove vital for a win.

"Obviously we need players to step up and make plays," Marrone said. "We're not going into the game saying this is the one player that has to play. We have a lot of different packages and everyone is ready to go."

Quarterback Ryan Nassib will also make his first career start after splitting time with departed Greg Paulus last year. Marrone said choosing Nassib as the opening day starter was much easier than last year, when he was torn between him and Paulus.

"We felt very confident (in Nassib) during spring ball," Marrone said. "We felt very good about what we were trying to get done."

Nassib put up respectable numbers last season, completing 52.9 percent of his passes for 422 yards and three touchdowns.

Akron's weaponry is limited.

The Zips lost wide receiver Andre Jones, who amasses 553 receiving yards and led the team with 16.8 yards per reception. Receiver Jeremy LaFrance is perhaps the top option. He led the team with 43 catches last year.

Freshman quarterback Patrick Nicely took over early last season after the starter was kicked off the team.

Not surprisingly, he didn't lead the Zips to a winning season.