The Syracuse football defense entered Saturday’s game against Virginia Tech with one goal: stop running back Lee Suggs.

“We felt that they couldn’t beat us if they couldn’t run the ball,” defensive end Josh Thomas said.

The Orangemen succeeded, as Suggs ran for 65 yards on 19 carries in SU’s 50-42, triple-overtime win. The Hokies rushed for 55 yards, marking the third consecutive game in which SU has held its opponent to less than 100 rushing yards.

While SU focused on slowing Suggs, Virginia Tech quarterback Bryan Randall racked up 504 passing yards. The Hokies’ offensive line afforded Randall time by double-teaming Thomas.

“We pressured at times,” SU head coach Paul Pasqualoni said. “But if a team is going to protect (its quarterback) with eight (players on the line), you have to pick your spots.”

Thomas said he’s felt the defensive line gel during the last three games.

“We were just kind of afflicted with young players in the beginning (of the season) as well as injuries,” he said. “Now, we all kind of know how to play with each other and trust each other.”

Thomas said the left foot injury that plagued him earlier this season started feeling better Oct. 26 against Rutgers and is now 100 percent.

“We’re making mistakes in the passing situations, and that’s something we will correct,” he said. “But when the talk the whole week is: Suggs is gonna run all over us, and we won’t be able to stop Tech’s run, and then we hold them to 55 yards, that’s something that we’re all proud of.”

Reyes recovering, Mungro returns

Walter Reyes, a sophomore running back, is nursing a bruised right knee he suffered in the fourth quarter of last Saturday’s game. Pasqualoni said Reyes is “hopeful” for Saturday’s game at Boston College.

Reyes limped as he walked across the parking lot outside the Iocolano-Petty Football Complex on Monday afternoon. Still, Reyes was smiling as he kidded around with his mentor, James Mungro, who was back at SU to visit his former teammates.

Mungro, who rushed for 1,170 yards as a senior last year, returned to Syracuse after an impressive NFL starting debut in Philadelphia on Sunday. He said he took a red-eye flight to Syracuse.

Mungro collected 114 yards and two touchdowns as his Indianapolis Colts beat the Eagles, 35-13.

Though Mungro didn’t get drafted, he signed with the Colts and made their roster.

On Monday, Mungro sported a blue Colts hat as he chatted with Reyes.

Sunday’s Eagles-Colts game featured a slew of former SU players, including the Eagles’ Donovan McNabb and the Colts’ Dwight Freeney and Marvin Harrison.

When alerted of the former Orangemen in that game, Pasqualoni said, “maybe we should get that on our recruiting highlight film.”

Burned out

Nick Romeo didn’t keep count, but after a while, he started to notice.

As the Orangemen racked up offensive play after offensive play Saturday, Romeo, a junior center, saw the Hokies’ defensive line losing steam.

“I thought we were wearing them down,” he said. “When their linemen went down, they were getting up a little slower than the play before.”

The Orangemen ran a Big East and school-record 100 plays. SU dominated the time-of-possession battle, holding the ball for 37 minutes and 16 seconds to Tech’s 22:44.

“I was surprised when I saw 100 plays,” Romeo said. “I know the offensive line wasn’t tired at all. We were ready to go another 100 plays if we had to.”

This and that

Sophomore receiver Jared Jones will be out for the BC game with an injured left knee. “We’re hoping for (him to play against) Miami,” Pasqualoni said. Jones didn’t play against Tech. … Pasqualoni said he’d reopen the field-goal kicking competition this week between Collin Barber and Mike Shafer, who normally handles punts and kickoffs. Barber hit 2 of 3 field goals against Virginia Tech but missed an extra point. “Collin’s only issue is that he needs a little bit more consistency with his plant foot,” Pasqualoni said. “I get a little bit nervous when Mike has to (punt and kick field goals). I would like to spread (the duties) out if we can. But if we can’t, we can’t.” … Senior cornerback Latroy Oliver is nursing a sprained left knee. “It’s just one of those things that needs rest to heal,” Oliver said. … SU’s 29 first downs against the Hokies were the most since the Orangemen notched 33 in 1998 against Cincinnati. … The Orangemen are now 2-3 in overtime games since the current format began, including a loss at Auburn this year. … Syracuse leads the nation in opponent punt-return average, giving up just 2.7 yards per return.

Published on November 11, 2002 at 12:00 pm