Greg Robinson clarified that his comments on Sunday shouldn’t suggest Syracuse intentionally let Louisville running back Kolby Smith score a 31-yard touchdown so it could have the ball back right away.

The comments from the Syracuse head coach instead were critical of how Louisville ran the ball despite holding an eight-point lead with 1:40 left in the game.

‘There’s some scrutiny that should be looked into that,’ Robinson said. ‘I look into the logic of it. I guess for your national ranking to score more points, get more rushing yards or maybe you just feel like you want to get more plays. But I know what I would’ve done in that situation. I would’ve secured the victory.’

Flush it out of your system

Robinson does not try to come across as a sports psychologist.

Thus, he admits uncertainty whether Syracuse’s inability to capitalize on opportunities has deflated the team’s confidence.

But to make sure that isn’t the case, Robinson has established a ‘flush’ system which he hopes will instill to players not to let past plays dictate their performance on the present one.

‘On every play, we tell our players, ‘You get the information, good or bad,” Robinson said. ”You take it in and then flush it out and move on to the next one.’ That’s the real key to being successful in athletics and any kind of competition. They say the great players, the warriors, stay within the moment. They don’t drag the past into the future and all of those other things.’

Kiss of death

With Cincinnati’s 23-6 victory over South Florida on Sunday, Robinson had an extra day of film study to prepare for this week’s game against the Bearcats.

Robinson said he’s been impressed with Cincinnati’s physical offense and fast defense. The Bearcats have multiple rushing and receiving threats.

Wide receivers Brent Celek, Bill Poland, Dominick Goodman, Derrick Stewart and Earnest Jacksonare average nearly a first down on every reception. Meanwhile, the Bearcats depend on four running backs-Greg Moore, Butler Benton, Dustin Grutza and Bradley Glatthaar-to carry the load.

But having that extra day of preparation does not cause Robinson to believe he is getting ahead.

‘I would never assume we’re gaining an advantage,’ Robinson said. ‘The moment I feel like you do that, it’s a kiss of death.’

This and that

Robinson said he hopes linebacker Jerry Mackey will suit up Saturday against Cincinnati. …Robinson would not discuss who would be starting at free safety. It will be either A.J. Brown or Joe Fields. Fields has started all eight games but Robinson said he took him out of the second half last week against Louisville because of a stinger injury. On Sunday, Robinson said Fields was healthy enough to practice this week.

Published on October 23, 2006 at 12:00 pm