In the zero-sum game of the Syracuse football team’s quarterback controversy, Joe Fields took a step backward as Perry Patterson moved into the starting role.

Fields, SU’s starting quarterback through the first three games, will come off the bench Saturday when SU plays Virginia at 3:30 p.m.

‘There’s no different preparation,’ Fields said. ‘You’re always one play from being in there. … (Being demoted) is a part of life. You go along with it and just keep working. I just gotta wait for my chance.’

SU head coach Paul Pasqualoni said he still isn’t sure what the rotation will be. Last week against Cincinnati, Patterson came off the bench after two series with Fields under center.

Then he played the rest of the game after Fields suffered a minor leg injury early in the first half. Fields said he felt fine for this week, though.

When Tanard Jackson nabbed SU’s first interception against Cincinnati, the rest of the secondary started wondering: Who’s gonna get the next one?

Safeties Anthony Smith and Diamond Ferri each snagged one later in the game, evening them up with the cornerback and putting them back in the ‘Section Eight’ challenge.

‘We got a little game going on who can make the most interceptions,’ Smith said. ‘It’s just making us play harder.’

This season, a game has started among the defensive backs – or ‘Section Eight,’ as they call themselves. Whoever grabs the most interceptions wins a T-shirt.

Smith intercepted SU’s second pass later in the game, and Ferri thought his opportunity to even up was over.

‘We were facing a good quarterback,’ Ferri said. ‘I was kinda upset I didn’t get (a pick).’

Ferri ultimately got his pick.

The winner’s T-shirt is designed with chains, because SU wants to lock down the opposition.

Smith sat at the interview table and winked.

‘I want to get one,’ he said, ‘every single game.’

The junior was talking about punt blocks. After blocking two against Buffalo and one against Cincinnati, Smith has earned a new reputation.

On Wednesday, he said he wanted to set a school and NCAA record for most punt blocks in a season, as well as lead the nation in interceptions.

But even though he’s becoming better known, Smith isn’t concerned teams might start focusing on him.

‘They might show more schemes to double-team me,’ Smith said. ‘But that’s OK. I’ll get to (the kicker) anyway.’

Wide receiver Steve Gregory didn’t play Saturday because of a right thigh injury he suffered this preseason.

‘It’s kind of something that’s been keeping me struggling,’ Gregory said. ‘Those first two games, I felt about a step slow.’

Gregory said he tweaked a muscle running before the season.

The junior could play this weekend if necessary. Even against Cincinnati, Gregory could have played. Instead, he rested.

‘That’s what it needs,’ Gregory said. ‘I just have to rest and, hopefully, it’ll get better.’

Published on September 22, 2004 at 12:00 pm