It took 15 games for Troy Nunes to get back into the starting lineup. He won’t let an injury take him out.

Nunes – who started at quarterback for the first time in nearly 13 months Oct. 26 against Rutgers – will likely start against Virginia Tech this weekend despite a right hip injury suffered Saturday at Central Florida, SU head coach Paul Pasqualoni said Monday.

Running the option in the second half against UCF, Nunes took a helmet to the crest of his pelvis after taking a hit near the Syracuse sideline. Nunes left and never returned.

Officially, Nunes’ injury is a hip pointer, or a severe bruise to the side of the pelvis.

‘He was a little sore this morning,’ Pasqualoni said. ‘We’ll see exactly how he feels, but we’re confident he’ll be OK. That’s the type of injury that could linger a little bit. But at the quarterback position, you hope you can just kind of put a pad on it.’

‘Usually, on the second day after a game, you’re real sore,’ backup R.J. Anderson said. ‘But I bet he’ll be fine by (today).’

Nunes, playing his final year of eligibility, would probably do anything to keep his spot in the starting lineup.

Last year, Nunes opened the season on the first team but lost his job three games in. Anderson started the final eight contests of the 2001 season as well as the first seven this year. But after a 1-6 start and repeated lackluster performances, Nunes took over again two weeks ago.

Since then, Nunes has played smoothly, and Syracuse is 2-0.

Against Central Florida, Nunes completed 13 of 18 passes for 199 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

‘(Against UCF), Troy played very well,’ Pasqualoni said. ‘He stepped up in the pocket, made throws and played very tough. He played one of his better games as an Orangeman on Saturday.’

‘Troy was the difference (in the offense),’ Anderson said. ‘The guys really came together and played well around Troy.’

For the season, Anderson’s completed less than 43 percent of his passes. Nunes has completed more than 62 percent. While Anderson has four touchdown passes and eight interceptions, Nunes has six touchdowns to two picks.

Still, UCF coach Mike Kruczek said he was glad Syracuse elected to start Nunes.

‘We were glad they went with Nunes because we were a little bit scared of Anderson,’ Kruczek said. ‘Last year, (Anderson) was a world beater. This year, for some reason, he just wasn’t getting it done.’

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Rule breakers

Pasqualoni confirmed Monday that Jamel Riddle, Barry Baker, Cory Brooks and Darryl Kennedy were suspended against Central Florida for violations of team rules.

Defensive back Jeremiah Mason didn’t travel because of two or three potential stress fractures in his foot. The injury will keep him out at least three more weeks.

Pasqualoni said Riddle, SU’s leading receiver, will be back next week.

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Sitting out

Virginia Tech’s latest two-deep lists Mike Imoh as the backup running back behind Lee Suggs, suggesting that Kevin Jones will not play against Syracuse.

Jones, who injured his hamstring Saturday against Pittsburgh, averages 78 yards.

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Break time?

After facing a pass-happy Central Florida team, Syracuse’s defensive backs are looking forward to run-oriented Virginia Tech.

‘It feels really good not to be playing a team that’s going to throw all over the field,’ cornerback Latroy Oliver said. ‘It should be nice not to have to worry about that all the time this week. That’s a big sigh of relief for us.’

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This and that

Donovan McNabb, a former Syracuse quarterback and current Philadelphia Eagle, was elected to the Syracuse University Board of Trustees on Friday. That board is responsible for hiring a chancellor and overseeing operations. … Cornerback Steve Gregory was selected as Big East Special Teams Player of the Week. Against UCF, he returned a kickoff 57 yards, recovered a fumble on a punt and blocked a field goal. … Syracuse and Virginia Tech will kick off at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Carrier Dome. The game will be televised on ESPN. … SU’s Nov. 16 game at Boston College is scheduled to kick off at noon.

Assistant sports editor Darryl Slater contributed to this story.

Published on November 4, 2002 at 12:00 pm