The third-quarter reverse against Miami (Ohio) quickly brings thoughts of Taj Smith’s season-ending collarbone injury.

It could spell devastation for a Syracuse, a team that had just found its rising go-to receiver. Someone from SU’s receiving corps – Tim Lane, Rice Moss, Lavar Lobdell, Donte Davis, Jeremy Horne and Mike Williams – will need to step in and fill that role.

Many danced around the question this week, stating each one has a chance to make big plays. But SU will find out who will on Saturday when it hosts Wyoming at the Carrier Dome at 1:30 p.m.

Whoever does step into that role needs to accomplish three things:

Leadership

Smith immediately became the Orange’s prime option in four games, grabbing 12 balls for 227 yards and three touchdowns after playing for Bakersfield (Calif.) Community College last year.

Smith said initially he didn’t try to make himself noticed by making big plays, but instead by showing a willingness to help out.

‘I try to tell them to be humble,’ Smith said. ‘Play their role, whatever is designed for them to do. They should just go out and do it.’

He made people notice him with big plays, of course. But the way running back Curtis Brinkley describes him, it seems as if Smith also earned the respect of his teammates in training camp and the first four weeks of the season.

So respected is Smith that when he entered the SU locker room after its 34-14 win over Miami, he was met with a standing ovation.

Brinkley thinks Smith’s emotional leadership is irreplaceable. But the receivers can still follow his leadership.

‘We all want to fill in those shoes and be the playmaker, helping out the offense and getting a couple wins,’ Lobdell said. ‘But everybody wants to help the guy next to him.’

Versatility

Aside from Smith’s numbers, no one stands out very much on Syracuse.

Lane, Moss and Williams have caught the most balls, but Lobdell and Davis aren’t too far behind them.

Patterson has improved on keeping his eyes alert on all ends of the field this year. With the way Robinson shuffles his plays at different receiving positions – the flanker, the slot and the split end – it maximizes their versatility and ability to get open.

‘They tell me they’re open on more plays,’ Patterson said. ‘So I’ll try to keep my eyes open more so I can hit them.’

Thanks to Smith’s versatility, he could stretch the field. He ran slants, comebacks, streaks, reverses, you name it. In order for a receiver to replace Smith, he will have to display competence in running the very routes at which Smith excelled.

‘There is no presto answer to say how it is going to happen,’ SU head coach Greg Robinson said. ‘I just think that those things emerge. It might come from several different ways.’

Big Plays

People remember them by now. Syracuse’s first touchdown against Iowa. The fumble recovery against Illinois. The 65-yard and 52-yard bomb strikes against Illinois and Miami (Ohio), respectively.

This is where the hard work translates into highlight reels.

But can anyone else from Syracuse do them? Moss completed one in Syracuse’s first touchdown of the season. When Smith hauled in the 52-yard touchdown pass against the Redhawks, Williams ran a similar deep route on the opposite side of the field.

But then again, Lane dropped a key pass in overtime against Iowa. Syracuse is frankly not there yet. Before SU worries about making big plays, it should focus on honing in on the other two keys.

When that’s perfected, big plays will come naturally.

‘We have guys who can stretch the field for us,’ Patterson said. ‘It’s just getting them to execute. With a lot more players, we’re using the offense more effectively.’

Published on September 28, 2006 at 12:00 pm