Spring in Their Step

Story, Video and Photos by Jon Cerio

Click Here for the Press Conference

SYRACUSE, N.Y. --  If Saturday’s Spring Showcase game in the Carrier Dome is any indication, the Syracuse University football team looks to have made some defensive strides in the off-season.  The Orange first-string unit came away with a 14-0 victory thanks to an Antawn Cordy pick-six and an Eric Dungey 35-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wideout Devin C. Butler.

Admission was free and those who showed up seemed happy they came.

“Well I’ll tell you what, it was fun watching that offense,” Syracuse fan Mark Gallivan said.  “The quarterback looks terrific.”

“For today, by far the most fans that we’ve had for a spring game since I’ve been here,” senior linebacker Zaire Franklin said.  “Just thankful for everybody that showed up and just showed us support today.  This meant a lot.”

The game consisted of four twelve-minute quarters, though that wasn’t strictly enforced.  There was also a five-minute break for halftime.

The game itself is an annual tradition on the hill.  The timing of this game seemed to be a little later than normal.  There was some speculation in the media that this was in part planned to give players more time to heal from surgeries and injuries.

Junior safety Cordy had missed much of last season with a broken forearm.  He had the biggest play of the game, intercepting senior quarterback Zack Mahoney and returning it 40 yards for the score.

“It was good for me to be out there today,” Cordy said.  “With my injury it was tough going out like that.”

The defense came away the real winners on the day, with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries, one by Franklin.  Asked if he was happy with how his team performed, he was quick to respond.

“Yeah of course,” Franklin said.  “We got out there.  The defense won today, so I’m always happy.”

“I just thought it was a fantastic effort,” head coach Dino Babers said.  “I thought they were physical, they ran around.” 

“There were times when they got a little taxed," Babers added.  "I remember Cordy made a play, scored a touchdown for the defense, then once they kicked off they had to go right back out there again.  I just said ‘Hey, it’s not me, that’s Cordy’s fault.'”

In fact, for a team last year with such a stark contrast between offensive and defensive effectiveness, today’s performance – though not as exciting, certainly was important.

“I was really proud of the defense," Babers said.  "I thought it was a really balanced spring,  We’re definitely excited about the improvement on the defensive side.”