CINCINNATI-If nothing else, Greg Robinson is fun to watch. He hoots and hollers on the sidelines, waving his arms and throwing his notes. It’s a sign he cares. It’s also a sign there’s a problem.

Recently, those problems have been penalties. A lot of them. And most frequently on the offensive line.

On one drive in the third quarter, there were three penalties on six plays, all on the offensive line. It plagued the drive and dropped the Orange back. And after a bobbled snap by punter Brendan Carney and poor rugby-style punt, the Bearcats scored six plays later to extend its lead to seven points in UC’s eventual 17-3 win over the Orange.

That one offensive line sequence was representative of SU’s offensive lines woes. The line keeps changing personnel to try to find the right mix. This week, SU slid Carroll Madison to left tackle, inserted Marvin McCall at right tackle and benched Corey Chavers.

‘It’s always an adjustment,’ Madison said. ‘But I’ve been doing it since I’ve been here, so I’m used to it now.’

For those scoring from home, it was the fourth different offensive line combination SU has tried this season, the third position that Madison has played and the second position for McCall.

‘It wasn’t working before,’ Robinson said. ‘It wasn’t. So we have to keep working to try to get it right, and that’s all we’re trying to do. I’m going to keep trying until we get it right. And if we don’t get it right, it must be telling us something.’

SU didn’t get it right on Saturday. The offensive line committed five penalties and allowed four sacks, a number that would be higher had quarterback Perry Patterson not eluded pressure.

On Syracuse’s first two drives, Patterson was sacked on third down both times even after buying time. In Syracuse’s third drive, Patterson forced an incomplete pass with pressure oncoming.

‘It doesn’t throw me off, but it throws their gelling off,’ Patterson said. ‘Playing with different guys next to them, McCall’s first time playing tackle, Carroll’s second time playing tackle. Those are pivotal positions that anchor our offense each week. So just trying to find a group that we can get working together, it’s going to be tough.’

Robinson actually said the line improved in some areas, before qualifying it with the note that he has to go back to watch the film in order to fully understand what happened. What Robinson will likely see, though, is a group that continued to break down.

Early in the season, SU was praised for the pressure it put on opposing quarterbacks. While the Orange has compiled an impressive 29 sacks on defense, the more glaring number is the pressure it lets on its quarterback. The offensive line has allowed 34 sacks this season and has only opened up the running game for two 100-yard rushing performances this season.

Compound that with the penalties and the unit isn’t a work-in-progress. It’s a unit that’s showed little progress.

‘They ran what we thought they were going to run; they didn’t surprise us,’ Madison said. ‘That’s on us. We were well-prepared for the game, we just didn’t execute.’

Published on October 29, 2006 at 12:00 pm