Maine @ Syracuse preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 26, 2009 ) Maine 24, Syracuse 41

Looking to move on from a rough road loss, Syracuse opens at home Saturday against Maine of the Football Championship Subdivision.

The Orange (1-1) will look to shake off Saturday's loss to Washington, dropping a 41-20 road game to the Huskies.

Offensively, junior quarterback Ryan Nassib was 17-of-35, rushed for one touchdown and had one interception. He was also sacked twice. Syracuse wide receiver Van Chew picked up a career-best 83 yards on six receptions, and Alec Lemon had 34 yards and a touchdown in the game.

Running back Delone Carter rushed for 91 yards on 18 carries against Washington.

Syracuse's defense played strong for the first half, limiting the Huskies to 13 points. The defense stumbled in the second half, however, allowing four touchdowns that led to the loss. Linebacker Derrill Smith led the defense with 14 tackles, including nine solo. Cornerback Phillip Thomas had 10 solo tackles.

Syracuse lost freshman quarterback Nick Raven for the rest of the year after he suffered a torn ACL at Washington. Defensive back Kevyn Scott, who was projected to start but who hasn't played all season, is still considered doubtful for the Maine game.

This will be the Orange's home opener, and second-year head coach Doug Marrone expects to ride that opening-day momentum to a victory and rekindle their early season momentum. Syracuse is 14-16 at the Carrier Dome in home openers, and is 83-14-4 all-time in home openers.

The Black Bears are coming off a 31-23 win over Monmouth, helping them erase a season-opening 3-0 loss to Albany.

Running back Jared Turcotte led Maine with 144 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Turcotte is 141 rushing yards from 1,000 for his career.

Receiver Derek Session had four catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.

Syracuse and Maine met last season, with the Orange prevailing 41-24 after Maine led 17-13 at halftime.

Floyd Little, Syracuse All-American and Pro Football Hall of Famer, will be honored Saturday for his enshrinement into the Hall of Fame.
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