The screen pass is being shelved – at least temporarily.

After seeing a screen gone awry during Saturday’s 34-17 loss to Pittsburgh, Syracuse football head coach Greg Robinson said SU might not be running the play as frequently.

Syracuse tried setting up a screen to Damien Rhodes during the second quarter, but quarterback Perry Patterson overthrew Rhodes. Pittsburgh linebacker H.B. Blades intercepted the ball and returned it for a touchdown.

When a reporter asked about the problems running the screen, Robinson fired back and asked what the reporter thought. Robinson asked if he thought it was because of that one interception or a season-long problem. The reporter mentioned Florida State and a few other games and Robinson agreed.

‘You’re probably right,’ Robinson said. ‘Florida State, that’s a good one. Buffalo, that’s another one. Two weeks ago. We might have to put the old screen play on the shelf.

‘That’s a bone of contention right now – that play. It’s probably best to cool it off for a little bit right now.’

Zero for third down

Going into Saturday’s game, Syracuse ranked dead last – 117th – in Division I in third-down conversion percentage. After an 0-for-12 showing at Heinz Field, SU’s percentage plummeted from 17.7 percent to 15.8.

Syracuse is 18-for-102 on third downs this year. By comparison, Pittsburgh converted nine first downs on Saturday alone.

After Syracuse managed just one first down in 14 third-down tries against Rutgers, the team worked on that area during practice. Robinson said the team scrimmaged third-down situations to ‘stimulate development.’

It didn’t help. Syracuse was often forced into long third-down situations, but Robinson noted the team couldn’t convert a crucial third-and-2 at the Pittsburgh 25-yardline in the third quarter.

‘There were all different situations,’ Robinson said. ‘There’s been times where we put ourselves in so many long situations. We’ve got to execute.’

Throughout the past three games, Syracuse converted just four third downs, a staggering 9.8 percent.

Injury update

Robinson said Syracuse came out of the loss Sunday with no major injuries. Tight end Joe Kowalewski, though, sat out the game due to a lingering shoulder injury.

Kowalewski injured the shoulder against Virginia on Sept. 17 and then sat out the next two games before returning to play against Rutgers last weekend. The injury acted up on Friday and on Saturday Kowalewski was unable to play.

‘I feel bad for Joe,’ Robinson said. ‘He wants so bad to help this football team. It’s for all the right reasons. He’s very frustrated because he knows he could be in there helping. The tight end is an integral part of our offense.’

Alex Shor and Tom Ferron replaced Kowalewski. Shor and Ferron each had one catch for 11 yards.

On the positive side

Robinson was asked if he saw any improvement Saturday. His reply: fumbles.

After fumbling nine times against Rutgers, Syracuse’s offense didn’t fumble at all. The Orange misplayed a kickoff return Saturday but didn’t lose possession. Syracuse did throw four interceptions.

‘There were other turnovers but our ball security was better,’ Robinson said. ‘We’ve got to eliminate the interceptions.

‘We’re a team that can’t handle a lot of misfiring on any phase of the game.’

This and That…

Robinson said Sunday he’s done trying to change the lineup just to spark the team. Players have to be ready to step in and make the team better for a lineup change to occur. ‘Enough of that. We’re trying to win and some aren’t ready,’ Robinson said. ‘It isn’t just tag, you’re in.’ … Freshman Curtis Brinkley didn’t make the trip and instead remained with his family. Brinkley’s father is ill and he left the team in the middle of the week to be with him. … Tim Washington filled Brinkley’s void on kickoff returns. … Joe Fields has now thrown more interceptions (two) than completions (one) this year. … SU and Pittsburgh combined for seven first-half turnovers.

Published on October 22, 2005 at 12:00 pm