Long Hits Them Long

Thursday, September 13, 2007

By Donnie Webb

Staff writer

Of all the things lost by the Syracuse University football team in the first two weeks of the season, the Orange has discovered at least one item of significance - a punter.

True freshman Rob Long, of Downingtown, Pa., has stepped into the void left by four-year starter Brendan Carney as the Orange's punter. In two games, Long has punted 12 times with an average of 42.9 yards per attempt. Long ranks second in the Big East Conference and 22nd nationally in punting.

Long ripped off a season-best 56-yard punt against Iowa that was fielded on the fly. Andy Brodell returned that punt 49 yards to set up Iowa's fourth touchdown of the first half.

That punt washigh and deep as opposed to low and hard, so it can be argued that Long did not out-kick his coverage. Syracuse gunners were in position to make the tackle but did not. Tight end Jawad Nesheiwat made the tackle on Brodell, though Long, a former hockey player, made an attempt at the stop, too.

Finding a punter is no small matter, especially with the failures of Syracuse's offense. Long punted eight times at Iowa. Carney, who set a school record with 82 punts in 2005, punted eight times last season against Wake Forest and Cincinnati. Both were season highs.

Long said he doesn't mind the work. He'll do whatever he's asked to do, he said.

"It's gone reallywell," Long said Wednesday. "It's been quite an experience. I wasn't as nervous or as anxious as I thought I would be. I was pretty calm. I was pretty well prepared. I felt good out there. I didn't feel like a true freshman. I felt like I was ready to go. I felt like I had done it before. It went well."

Long said the 56-yard punt against Iowa was a matter of smacking it well. There was no breeze and the ball carried.

"To be honest, I didn't know I hit it that well," Long said. "It was one of those things. . . . I hit it. You start watching the return man start backing up. That's always a good sign."

The Syracuse punt coverage team has significant room for improvement. The Orange punt coverage team ranks 110th nationally because it is allowing an average of 22.6 yards a return. That drags down Syracuse's net punting average to 32.7 yards, which is sixth in the Big East. Long said the unit recognizes the problems and is making changes.

Long said his jobis to keep punting high and far.

"Regardless of the finals of the games, each time you go out there, you kind of pinch yourself thinking, what am I doing here in front of 70,000 people when I'm 18 years old and my friends are sitting in dorm rooms watching me on ESPN," Long said. "It's an unbelievable experience. I couldn't ask for anything else. It is a lot of fun to be a part of something like this."

Donnie Webb can be reached at 470-2149 or dwebb@syracuse.com.



	Stars of the Week RELATED PHOTOS • Illinois 41 Syracuse20 • More Photos Long Hits Them Long Thursday, September 13, 2007 By Donnie Webb Staff writer Of all the things lost by the Syracuse University football team in the first two weeks of the season, the Orange has discovered at least one item of significance - a punter. True freshman Rob Long, of Downingtown, Pa., has stepped into the void left by four-year starter Brendan Carney as the Orange's punter. In two games, Long has punted 12 times with an average of 42.9 yards per attempt. Long ranks second in the Big East Conference and 22nd nationally in punting. Long ripped off a season-best 56-yard punt against Iowa that was fielded on the fly. Andy Brodell returned that punt 49 yards to set up Iowa's fourth touchdown of the first half. That punt washigh and deep as opposed to low and hard, so it can be argued that Long did not out-kick his coverage. Syracuse gunners were in position to make the tackle but did not. Tight end Jawad Nesheiwat made the tackle on Brodell, though Long, a former hockey player, made an attempt at the stop, too. Finding a punter is no small matter, especially with the failures of Syracuse's offense. Long punted eight times at Iowa. Carney, who set a school record with 82 punts in 2005, punted eight times last season against Wake Forest and Cincinnati. Both were season highs. Long said he doesn't mind the work. He'll do whatever he's asked to do, he said. "It's gone reallywell," Long said Wednesday. "It's been quite an experience. I wasn't as nervous or as anxious as I thought I would be. I was pretty calm. I was pretty well prepared. I felt good out there. I didn't feel like a true freshman. I felt like I was ready to go. I felt like I had done it before. It went well." Long said the 56-yard punt against Iowa was a matter of smacking it well. There was no breeze and the ball carried. "To be honest, I didn't know I hit it that well," Long said. "It was one of those things. . . . I hit it. You start watching the return man start backing up. That's always a good sign." The Syracuse punt coverage team has significant room for improvement. The Orange punt coverage team ranks 110th nationally because it is allowing an average of 22.6 yards a return. That drags down Syracuse's net punting average to 32.7 yards, which is sixth in the Big East. Long said the unit recognizes the problems and is making changes. Long said his jobis to keep punting high and far. "Regardless of the finals of the games, each time you go out there, you kind of pinch yourself thinking, what am I doing here in front of 70,000 people when I'm 18 years old and my friends are sitting in dorm rooms watching me on ESPN," Long said. "It's an unbelievable experience. I couldn't ask for anything else. It is a lot of fun to be a part of something like this." Donnie Webb can be reached at 470-2149 or dwebb@syracuse.com.