If it keeps going at this rate, Syracuse’s seven unsuccessful touchdown attempts from at least the 2-yard line in Saturday’s 20-13 double-overtime loss to Iowa is going to become the Orange’s version of Barry Bonds or Barbaro-an overblown news story that won’t go away.

Baring the brunt of the blame has been the offensive line, which was manhandled at the line of scrimmage in those seven attempts. That was especially the case on the final fourth down when running back Paul Chiara couldn’t muster a yard.

‘We didn’t block very well on the play,’ Syracuse head coach Greg Robinson said. ‘We were on target but their technique out-techniqued our technique.’

That comment was a testament to Iowa’s emphasis on production at the lines, but also a signal of the SU’s offensive line struggles throughout the entire line.

‘It wasn’t every guy,’ Robinson said. ‘It happened to be this position right here or it happened to be something here or there. It wasn’t everybody and it wasn’t the same people.’

But it’s also not easy to rectify. The line was inexperienced entering the season-center Justin Outten and guard Carroll Madison are the only returning starters, and Marvin McCall beat Outten out for the opening game starting spot-and while it can improve, it’s fair to say it won’t resemble a line like Iowa’s this season.

‘I think it is a little bit of everything,’ Robinson said. ‘Of course it is coaching. It is ability. It is a lot of things. If you want me to say it is coaching, I will. If you want me to say it is ability, I will do that, too. It is all of those things, and I think that people know that.’

But Robinson also wouldn’t commit to any overriding changes on the offensive line for Saturday’s game against Illinois. The only change in the Iowa game was Outten starting at center for McCall, who was sidelined with an injury. Experienced lineman Larry Norton was also out with an injured toe.

Robinson saw no advantage to discussing any personnel moves with the media, citing Iowa’s silence about quarterback Drew Tate’s injury as an advantage for the Hawkeyes, who caught Robinson and SU off guard.

‘I don’t know what we are going to do,’ Robinson said. ‘Our guys were fighting, clawing and scratching. Were they perfect? No, but they played better.’

Disputed pass interference

In that infamous double overtime, the Orange had third-and-goal from the 2-yard line and Iowa was called for a pass interference.

But the referees spotted the ball at the 2-yard line again. The NCAA Football rulebook states: ‘Defensive pass interference fouls on a try from the three-yard line are penalized one half the distance to the goal line or, if the try is successful, the penalty is declined.’

Based on that logic, the Orange should have received the ball at the 1-yard line.

‘I tried to get the attention (of the official) but I couldn’t,’ Robinson said. ‘It was noisy and things were going and we were going up to the line of scrimmage and we couldn’t get the attention (of the official) that we needed to get to try and see if something was done wrong.’

Published on September 11, 2006 at 12:00 pm