The Only Option -- Syracuse Orange (NCAA 09)

[jmik58]

Game: NCAA Football 09
Platform: PS2
Team: Syracuse Orange
Offense: Option Run
Defense: 4-3

Format: Fast-paced dynasty where I control all player training, recruiting, position changes, etc; except all games are simulated. There are no mulligans. Win-loss records, recruit class information, conference championships, bowl wins, national championships, player awards, season records, and other relevant information will be recorded.

Premise: Syracuse is fresh off a horrible two-win season and hasn't been a factor in the BCS era. Can new head coach Trey Harvey build a dynasty with the help of his option attack?

[jmik58]

Re: The Only Option -- Syracuse Orange (NCAA 09)

Career Stats

Current Year: 2008-09

Win/Loss Record: 5-7 | Bowl Record: 0-0 | Conf Champs: 0 | BCS Champs:0 | All-Americans: 0 | Awards: 0

2008 SEASON RECAP:

Spoiler

Schedule Date Team Result Score 8/30 @ Northwestern L 14-36 9/6 Akron W 20-0 9/13 @ Ole Miss L 14-34 9/20 Northeastern W 42-3 10/4 Pittsburgh L 14-24 10/11 @ #2 West Virginia L 14-52 10/18 @ USF L 26-52 10/25 Louisville W 42-28 11/1 @ #24 Rutgers L 21-25 11/8 Connecticut L 7-31 11/15 @ Army W 23-7 11/22 @ Cincinnati W 21-7 Big East Standings Team W-L Conf #2 West Virginia 12-0 7-0 Rutgers 9-3 5-2 Pittsburgh 8-4 4-3 USF 7-5 3-4 Connecticut 7-5 3-4 Syracuse 5-7 2-5 Cincinnati 5-7 2-5 Louisville 6-6 2-5 Stat Leaders PASSING CM/AT YDS TD INT B. Smith 115/248 1,412 10 16 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD B. Holiday 171 899 5.2 8 B. Smith 125 475 3.7 4 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD J. Smith 40 461 11.5 6 C. Johnson 27 371 13.7 2 DEFENSIVE TKL TFL SCK INT J. Bomar 57 12 5 1 K. Polite 39 16 7 0 M. Goins 5 6 2 5 In-Season Recruits PLAYER POS CALIBER COMMIT Fred Fox #1 QB No Joe Thomas #1 HB No Anthony Barrow #3 FS No Alex Hudson #1 OLB No Trophy Case PLAYER POS Award Team Josh Jenson RT All-Conf 1st --- - --- ----

[jmik58]

Re: The Only Option -- Syracuse Orange (NCAA 09)

January 13, 2009

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Orange Improve in Win-Column, Future Still Uncertain

Syracuse, NY -- Before the start of the season, new head coach Trey Harvey knew the rebuilding process would be an arduous one. Little did he realize, however, that winning games was the least of his worries.

Despite improving from a 2-9 record in 2008 to a 5-7 clip this year, much of the season was marred by discipline issues and misfit players trying to succeed in a niche offense.

"We knew there would be headaches," added Harvey. "We always want to improve in terms of winning games, but there are other program issues that need to be cleaned up before we can make this an established tradition."

Six starters, including all-conference right tackle Josh Jenson, were suspended at various points during the season. Some for academic shortcomings and others for something as drastic as identity theft of a teammate. Backup quarterback Dustin Andrews was dismissed after being charged in late November for purchasing merchandise online with a stolen credit card from long snapper Bernard Zeller. The black-eye came amid a tough skid for the Orange, but the team bounced back for two wins to close out the year.

"We hung strong. There was a reason this team was always hanging in the cellar. A few bad apples have to be weeded out each time there is a change like this. A precedent was set," commented linebacker Brody Miller.

In fact, it may have been the wins in spite of the controversy that show just how well the program is starting to move under the guidance of Trey Harvey.

"You know, we saw interest from high-profile recruits that never would have picked up the phone in the past. Sure we didn't sign anyone, but I'm excited for the offseason," added Harvey.

The fresh paint has settled and all excuses are out the window now. It's officially Harvey's bunch -- a group of Orangemen who hope the future is ripe