Jake Locker gets a lot of attention. He’s a Heisman candidate. Potential #1 pick in the NFL Draft. Arguably the best quarterback in the nation.
Just don’t ask Doug Hogue whether the Huskies signal caller walks on water. The Orange players opened up about the trip to Seattle and the SU linebacker was not buying into the Locker buzz.
“I look at him like there’s a lot of hype about him but he’s a man like me and I’m gonna go at him and attack him like everybody else. That’s all I can think about, I’m not thinking like he’s anything else. He’s not.”
The first matchup in 2007 between these two schools?
“That game is kind of a blur to me. That was my freshman year and I was at running back. I don’t really remember (Locker) getting in the game, I was worried about getting in the game myself.”
Considering Washington won 42-12, it’s probably better off to forget that one anyway, Doug.
Senior Safety Max Suter on this year’s Orange defense:
“I’ve never been a part of anything like this since I’ve been here. We’re just together this year. Everyone on the team is together. Everyone wants the same goal and that’s to win. Everyone this year wants to win and everyone’s going out and giving 100% and that’s why we’re going to win games this year.”
Syracuse’s history on the West Coast is ugly. If the Pacific is considered the Golden Coast (yes, we‚Äôre looking at you Katy Perry), it doesn‚Äôt apply when the Orange travels there.
Doug Marrone is aware of the trap trips out west have been for the ‘Cuse.
“Everybody knows that I’m big with the history of this program. Syracuse is 1-11-1 in road games on the West Coast since 1964. We haven’t done well out there, and we’ve had some darn good coaches and a lot of great players make that trip.”
Is Suter concerned about the 5 1/2 hour flight and three-hour time difference?
“A lot of us never have done that. I don’t feel like any of us are reallu concerned about it РCoach Marrone is going to put it into place where we’re going to be ready for that game. He’s got us flying out Thursday and I’m confident he’ll have us ready by gametime.”
What have we learned? The Syracuse defense doesn‚Äôt give a damn who it’s facing – it’s in attack mode. Second, a flight out on Thursday hopes to prevent jet lag. Third, there‚Äôs a whole lot more film on Jake Locker than Akron. Look out Huskies.
Posted: Mike Couzens
