A 1-5 record isn’t so bad — if you’re Rutgers.

But in college sports, it’s all about expectations. And at Syracuse, the standards are higher. When you have 15 winning seasons in a row, you’re supposed to keep winning.

At the midway point, Syracuse, the No. 14 team in the country at the end of last season, has yet to beat a Division I-A opponent and, according to ESPN, ranks as one of the 10 worst I-A teams.

Still, no matter how bad Syracuse may be, we have to judge it on a Syracuse scale. Just to reinforce that scale, we’ll include a statement made on Media Day (held in early August) about each category.

Watch out. Because at Syracuse — well, at least with Syracuse football — there’s no grade inflation.

Quarterbacks

“We’re very excited about the quarterback situation. Last year, at this time, we didn’t know what would happen. What a difference a year makes. Now we really have reason to be excited about what we’ve got.”— Syracuse head coach Paul Pasqualoni

Well, what a difference six games make. Starter R.J. Anderson has yet to give Pasqualoni much to rave about, completing less than 45 percent of his passes. Anderson, lauded for his smart decision-making last season, has thrown seven interceptions to four touchdowns.

Backup Troy Nunes came in to lead an inspiring, game-tying drive in the last minutes against Auburn but rediscovered himself with spotty play against Pittsburgh.

The bottom line: Syracuse has two very average quarterbacks and nothing to be excited about.

Grade: D

Running backs

“The bottom line is we’ve got three talented running backs. We’ll move the ball like we always have. We’ll put the ball in the endzone.”— Walter Reyes

With the help of freshman Damien Rhodes, Reyes has made good on his preseason promise. Rhodes and Reyes have combined for 852 yards and 11 touchdowns — seemingly all of SU’s offense.

Since the season opener at Brigham Young, Rhodes has shown flashes of greatness. Chris Davis and Thump Belton have been adequate as fullbacks.

But, so far, only two of SU’s “three talented backs” have made any impact. Senior Barry Baker, who competed for the starting job, has carried 14 times, mainly with Syracuse down by 20 or more.

Grade: B

Offensive line

“We’re going to do our part. We’re young but talented, and we’ve always been working hard. If we do our part, the offense will be doing just fine.”— Eric Kaloyanides

No doubt Kaloyanides and his fellow linemen have been working hard, but the offense has been anything but fine.

Sure, Syracuse averages 30 points a game, but that includes a 63-spot against I-AA Rhode Island.

With inexperienced sophomores Adam Terry and Matt Tarullo starting, Syracuse has been plagued by false-start penalties. The line has also allowed Anderson to be sacked nine times.

Grade: C

Receivers

“It should be an exciting year for us. We’ve got a group of guys who can all do different things at receiver. We’ll definitely help put points on the board. We can go out and score with anyone.”— Johnnie Morant

Apparently, not quite anyone. Syracuse hasn’t outscored any of the five I-A teams it’s played — but it’s hard to blame the receivers.

Jamel Riddle (420 yards, 3 TDs) averages 21 yards per catch and is among the Big East leaders in receptions. Jared Jones (10 catches, 129 yards) was clutch in the closing minutes of regulation against Auburn and Temple.

Still, tight ends Joe Donnelly and Lenny Cusumano have had some bad drops. And Morant, perhaps the most talented of the bunch, sat out three games with a suspension and has yet to make an impact.

Grade: B-

Special teams

“There’s always pressure on special teams at Syracuse. They’ve been so good it, and we have to hold up that reputation.”— kicker Collin Barber

Ironically, Barber is the lone man who’s struggled to hold up his end of the bargain. After a solid start, he missed two field goals and a last-minute extra point that would have sent last Saturday’s game against Temple to overtime.

For the second straight year, though, Jamel Riddle has thrived returning punts. He took one back for a touchdown against Auburn and averages more than 15 yards per try.

Syracuse blocked a key kick in overtime at Auburn and another last week against Temple. On punts, MIke Shafer and SU’s gunners have held opponents to an average of less than two yards a return.

Grade: B

Defensive backs

“Wait till we fill this place. It’ll only get nastier.”— cornerback Will Hunter, while practicing his celebrated O-head dance.

Along with the promise of the 2002 season, the O-head disappeared after Media Day. Maybe because Hunter and the rest of SU’s defensive backfield has seldom had reason to celebrate.

Syracuse is last in the Big East in pass defense, giving up nearly 300 yards a game, and last in third-down defense. No Syracuse defensive back has more than one interception.

Grade: F

Linebackers

“We’ve got so many playmakers. We have as much skill as I think I’ve seen there. It should be fun.”— Clifton Smith

Smith may lead Syracuse with a tough-to-believe 79 tackles, but the rest of his unit — Jameel Dumas and Rich Scanlon start — has struggled.

It hasn’t stopped the run (SU is ranked last in the conference in run defense, too) or the pass. And it has combined for 1.5 sacks in six games.

The good news? Smith, Scanlon and Dumas will still start for the rest of the year. They’re backed up by Kellen Pruitt, Jose Harris and Cory Brooks. Enough said.

Grade: D

Defensive line

“I think me, Louis Gachelin and Christian Ferrara have become better players. We’ll get the quarterback. I think we’re going to hassle the quarterback just as much as we did last year.”— defensive end Josh Thomas

Well, so far, the defensive line has 6.5 sacks — 5.5 less than defensive end Dwight Freeney had by himself at this time last year. For the record, Josh Thomas, plagued by a left foot injury, doesn’t have a sack yet.

While the defensive line isn’t getting the quarterback, it isn’t stopping the run either. SU opponents have rushed for an obscene 202 yards a game.

Grade: D-

Leadership

“We don’t have the Donovan McNabbs, the Kevin Johnsons or the Dwight Freeneys. We’re kind of the unsung heroes. The only way we’re gonna win is together.— tight end Joe Donnelly

Well, Syracuse is 1-5 and off to its worst start since 1986. It won’t have a winning record. It won’t make a bowl. So apparently, chemistry is lacking.

Last year, Syracuse won 10 games with leadership, and smoke and mirrors. This year, it won’t win half as many. Somebody — be it the coaches or alleged team leaders — has to take the blame.

Grade: F

Overall GPA: 1.48

-Eli Saslow is the sports editor at The Daily Orange, where his columns appear regularly. E-mail him at eesaslow@syr.edu

Published on October 17, 2002 at 12:00 pm