In the wake of Syracuse’s 31-9 loss to Rutgers, head coach Greg Robinson said preparing the offense to play with either Perry Patterson or Joe Fields at quarterback was like readying two separate offenses. He expressed frustration at the difficulty of getting different quarterbacks on the same page and said the multiple offenses may have caused some of the problems for Syracuse against Rutgers.

On Tuesday, Robinson had an idea of how to fix the problem while continuing the two-quarterback system. Instead of changing the offense depending on which quarterback is on the field, Robinson wants Patterson and Fields to play within the same offensive system.

‘I think it’s got to be systematic,’ Robinson said. ‘(The offense has) got to stay in our system and let (the quarterbacks) flow.’

Robinson will prepare one offensive plan, but will use both Patterson and Fields against Pittsburgh this Saturday.

Fields, the more versatile of the two quarterbacks, was not sacked and ran for 25 yards on five carries against the Scarlet Knights, but completed only 1-of-4 passes for six yards. Patterson started the game with perfect 4-for-4 passing, but finished 13-of-24 for 167 yards. Rutgers sacked Patterson five times.

Robinson did not mention sophomore quarterback Matt Hale, a true pocket passer, as a possibility for playing time.

Greene still not with team

Senior offensive guard Jason Greene still has not spoken with the Syracuse coaching staff a week after Robinson replaced him in the starting lineup.

Greene was not on the sideline for SU’s game against Rutgers on Saturday.

Robinson would like Greene to return to the team and he called Greene’s family to express his feelings. Ultimately, the decision will be up to the senior, though.

‘No, I have not (spoken with Greene),’ Robinson said. ‘I talked to his family. I expressed exactly how I felt. That’s the bottom line.’

More lineup changes possible

The Orange lineup may see an additional shakeup following last week’s changes on the offensive line and the receiving corps.

Robinson would not divulge specifics, but said he would reward younger players who have worked hard and shown increased maturity. The changes will be made when the opportunity presents itself, Robinson said.

The offensive line may be one area Robinson looks to inexperienced players. The revamped Orange offensive line against Rutgers had three seniors, one junior and one sophomore. Senior Kurt Falke returned to the lineup after missing three games with knee and foot injuries. Sophomore Carroll Madison replaced Greene.

‘I want to consider some young players that I see showing life and developing, maybe a play here and a play there,’ Robinson said. ‘I’m not really going to go into specifics right now because to say who are they right now, I don’t know. Some of the young players are starting to show some signs of maturity.’

This and that …

Syracuse will continue to work on maintaining possession of the football after fumbling nine times on Saturday, including five recovered by Rutgers. The Orange coaching staff stressed it in the offseason, but the emphasis waned off in recent weeks, Robinson said. … Robinson again complimented his defense yesterday, saying some of the statistics are misleading. ‘They’ve answered the bell a number of times when put to the challenge,’ Robinson said. ‘That’s the sign of a good defense.’

Published on October 18, 2005 at 12:00 pm