On paper, this season wasn’t much different than any other under previous head coach Greg Robinson. In Doug Marrone’s first year, Syracuse won one more game than last year. But in hype and intrigue alone, this fall was far from the norm. A former Duke point guard played quarterback and a future NFL wide receiver quit the team. Now that the season is officially over, it’s time to dish out the awards. Here goes nothing:

MVP

Derrell Smith

Syracuse jumped from 101st to 14th in the nation this season in run defense, and the biggest reason was Smith shifting from outside to middle linebacker. Before a tear in the lateral meniscus of his left knee ended his season, Smith emerged as one of the Big East’s best playmakers. Smith had 82 tackles, 6.5 sacks and four forced fumbles through 10 games, including several game-changing plays at crucial moments.

Best Moment

Ryan Lichtenstein’s game-winning field goal against Northwestern

Sept. 19

When Lichtenstein’s field goal split the uprights as time expired, and Syracuse upset Northwestern, 37-34, SU fans began thinking about a bowl game. Hope reigned as Orange players darted all over the field in elation. Multiple heartbreakers later, this game became somewhat of a footnote. Still, Northwestern (8-4) went on to beat then-No. 4 Iowa and Wisconsin (then-No. 16), validating this as the signature win of Marrone’s first season.

Worst Moment

Ryan Lichtenstein’s missed extra point against Louisville

With bowl hopes still alive, Syracuse laid an egg against lowly Louisville, 10-9. Max Leo’s wayward extra-point snap in the fourth quarter was too high for holder Rob Long and the Orange lost by one point. In fairness, Syracuse should have never been in that position. SU managed only 110 passing yards, committed nine penalties and inexplicably punted the ball to Trent Guy late in the game. The result was an embarrassing loss to a beatable opponent.

Biggest Surprise

Doug Hogue

After playing running back for two years under Robinson, Doug Hogue didn’t miss a beat as he transitioned to linebacker this year. Playing alongside Derrell Smith, Hogue helped SU establish a top rush defense in the nation. His running back speed helped him transition to the new role of chasing down tailbacks. He finished with a team-high 16 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. Not bad for a former running back.

Best Rookie

Shamarko Thomas

Thomas gets the nod based on his solid play in the secondary, where he showed signs of becoming a key contributor down the road. With the Syracuse secondary problems this year, there was no hesitation in letting Thomas start seven games between linebacker and defensive back. Despite some rookie mistakes, Thomas did a fine job at a tough position. He finished with 41 total tackles in 12 games, and had 6.5 tackles for loss and a sack.

Most Improved

Marcus Sales

Marcus Sales had the tough task of replacing a future NFL wide receiver, after spending the beginning of the season as a complementary player, and he handled the role admirably. His growth as a wide receiver particularly showed in his final two performances against Rutgers and Connecticut. After not doing much at the beginning of this year, by the end of the season, Sales looked like a legit No. 1 receiver for the Orange next year.

Least Valuable Player

Mike Williams

Williams’ decision to quit the program with five games left to play ended a sometimes spectacular, but always tumultuous, collegiate career. Despite playing in just seven games this year, Williams led the Orange with 49 catches for 746 yards and six receiving touchdowns. He will move on to the NFL and may excel there. Though there is no denying he was SU’s greatest weapon, quitting on your team is simply inexcusable.

Strangest moment

Doug Marrone’s teary-eyed defense of Paulus

Nov. 2

Hard to imagine anything could rival Greg Robinson’s ‘Little Engine That Could’ debacle from last season, but Doug Marrone came close. Two days after quarterback Greg Paulus threw two more costly interceptions in a loss to Cincinnati, Marrone delivered an emotional monologue defending his embattled quarterback to the point of idolization. It was a surreal moment that took an even stranger turn when Marrone announced moments later that Mike Williams had quit the team earlier that morning.

Published on December 1, 2009 at 12:00 pm