2008 Woodie Awards
The Daily OrangeFB | Hyped-freshman running back Carter realizes he's not in high school anymore
By Mark Medina
Posted: 9/19/06, 11:48 PM EST Section: Sports
Delone Carter spent 12 days searching for answers.
But he couldn't find any. After running for only six yards on five carries in Syracuse's opening game against Wake Forest on Sept. 2, the freshman running back knew he lacked something. He just didn't know what it was.
Carter spent last Thursday evening dissecting game film, analyzing his technique and moves. He knew he could better understand the schemes. He just didn't know how.
Suddenly, it clicked with Carter.
"I was getting frustrated," Carter said. "Some plays I'd do well. Some others I wouldn't. I was just studying the film, sitting there and looking. (I realized) there were times I needed to be patient. There were times when I needed to be impatient."
Two days later, he teamed with sophomore Curtis Brinkley to run for 132 yards on 37 carries in SU's 31-21 victory over Illinois. Carter ran for 63 yards on 19 rushes, his best performance in his three games as a collegiate player.
SU head coach Greg Robinson will continue to use the two-back system when the Orange hosts Miami (Ohio) on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Carrier Dome.
Awarded the prestigious Mr. Ohio football honor in high school, Carter ran for 2,788 yards and 49 touchdowns his senior year at Copley High School. Carter thought he could immediately carry that success as soon as he stepped on the field against Wake Forest.
The Demon Deacons' defensive line looked small and slow, he observed. In Carter's eyes, he was going to run all over them.
He was wrong. The players were faster and they hit harder than what he saw in high school.
"I was out there thinking about this is what's supposed to happen," Carter said. "I wasn't thinking all these other things might happen so I might have to adjust. I was just looking for one thing when a whole series of things can happen."
A similar performance happened again against Iowa when Carter only ran for five yards. Carter was trying to make big plays even when he was only used for short-yardage purposes.
But he couldn't find any. After running for only six yards on five carries in Syracuse's opening game against Wake Forest on Sept. 2, the freshman running back knew he lacked something. He just didn't know what it was.
Carter spent last Thursday evening dissecting game film, analyzing his technique and moves. He knew he could better understand the schemes. He just didn't know how.
Suddenly, it clicked with Carter.
"I was getting frustrated," Carter said. "Some plays I'd do well. Some others I wouldn't. I was just studying the film, sitting there and looking. (I realized) there were times I needed to be patient. There were times when I needed to be impatient."
Two days later, he teamed with sophomore Curtis Brinkley to run for 132 yards on 37 carries in SU's 31-21 victory over Illinois. Carter ran for 63 yards on 19 rushes, his best performance in his three games as a collegiate player.
SU head coach Greg Robinson will continue to use the two-back system when the Orange hosts Miami (Ohio) on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Carrier Dome.
Awarded the prestigious Mr. Ohio football honor in high school, Carter ran for 2,788 yards and 49 touchdowns his senior year at Copley High School. Carter thought he could immediately carry that success as soon as he stepped on the field against Wake Forest.
The Demon Deacons' defensive line looked small and slow, he observed. In Carter's eyes, he was going to run all over them.
He was wrong. The players were faster and they hit harder than what he saw in high school.
"I was out there thinking about this is what's supposed to happen," Carter said. "I wasn't thinking all these other things might happen so I might have to adjust. I was just looking for one thing when a whole series of things can happen."
A similar performance happened again against Iowa when Carter only ran for five yards. Carter was trying to make big plays even when he was only used for short-yardage purposes.
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