David Tyree remembers being Syracuse’s third receiver his redshirt freshman year. And his sophomore year. And his junior year.

Earlier this season, he heard people say,

“David’s career looked so good, so promising. What happened?”

Nine catches and 229 yards and one blocked punt and one game ball.

That’s what happened for Tyree in SU’s 50-42 win over Virginia Tech on Saturday. And if he’s lucky, those numbers will define his career.

***

Nine catches

Before Saturday, Tyree never had caught more than seven passes in a game. He hadn’t caught more than four passes in a game this year.

In the first 15 minutes against Virginia Tech, quarterback Troy Nunes never threw his way. When he finally did two minutes into the second quarter, Tyree dropped it. That wouldn’t happen again.

Tyree caught four passes before halftime, two in the third quarter and three in the fourth quarter — all at crucial moments.

“The character of David Tyree was remarkable,” offensive coordinator George DeLeone said. “We kept throwing it his way, and he kept catching.”

***

229 yards

Tyree had three catches of at least 45 yards against Virginia Tech.

Twice, he caught short passes on a slant pattern and took them more than 50 yards.

“I’ve always wanted to show I’m more than capable as a big-play receiver,” Tyree said. “I’ve never gotten credit for being able to do that. It’s always been, ‘David Tyree can’t really make those plays.’

“Well, life is about opportunity. I finally got that opportunity, and I took it.”

Nunes gave it to Tyree, too. On a second down early in the fourth quarter, Nunes dropped back and launched a 45-yard pass down the right sideline to Tyree. The SU senior jumped over defensive back Ronyell Whitaker, grabbed the ball, landed inbounds and fell at the Hokies’ 6-yard line.

“(Tyree) made huge plays,” linebacker Rich Scanlon said. “His heart kept us in the game.”

***

One blocked punt

For Tyree, this accomplishment was nothing new — he has five blocked punts in his career. But Saturday’s block was a little special.

In the second quarter, Tyree blocked a Hokie punt to set up Syracuse’s first touchdown, marking the third straight year he’s blocked a Virginia Tech punt.

“It was all about the trifecta today,” Tyree said. “I wanted to block the three punts in three years against them. (Virginia Tech) is my personal vendetta team.”

“David Tyree is a warrior,” head coach Paul Pasqualoni said. “That’s the definition of a football player.”

***

One game ball

Even 30 minutes after the game, Tyree talked to reporters with the game ball — which he was awarded in the locker room after the game — clutched tightly in his hands.

“I worked hard to get this one,” Tyree said. “This was the most complete game of my life.

“I’ve always been the third receiver, the guy who just had to sit back and watch everybody else make the plays. I finally feel like I took my turn. It was time for me to come out here and establish some identity.”

Published on November 10, 2002 at 12:00 pm