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PART II : SYRACUSE |
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After we left NYC on Friday morning, we followed the Hudson River north driving into Upstate New York. Scenic Route 9W winds through the valley with plenty to see along the way. This shot is looking down over West Point NY, where the U.S. Military Academy is based. We didn't decide to join up. |
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Cooking with Gus? Great lunch stop in New Windsor, NY right on route 9W was Gus's Restaurant. Sadly nothing to do with ex Claymore Gus Ornstein, as the specialty was German food, but they did do a damn good Clam Chowder. They were also setting up for an Oktoberfest in a few weeks, which was odd as it would still be September! |
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Then after heading west at Kingston NY, we drove along route 28 through the Catskill Mountains. Nice terrain here. |
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Finally as night fell, we arrived in Cooperstown NY, which would be just another small town - except for the fact that it houses the Baseball Hall of Fame! It still was fairly quiet at night however and we retired to our hotel rooms to continue a grand tradition - falling asleep watching a West Coast college game on ESPN! (BYU would beat Hawaii) |
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Saturday morning and the mist still hangs over Otsego Lake, which sits just north of Cooperstown, Like we said this was a fairly sleepy town. However there was one thing to do ... |
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The Baseball Hall of Fame of course! We got in early Saturday, before the big crowds arrived and found it to be a worthwhile trip. There was plenty of stuff on display illustrating the history and development of the game, as well as countless artifacts from it's more famous moments and players. And of course there is the enshrinement hall itself where each member of the hall gets a neat little plaque. Most famous of all is that great 'athlete', The Sultan of Swat himself - Babe Ruth! |
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After Cooperstown, we made the 2 hour drive West to Syracuse to take in our first college game of the tour at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse itself was quite lively. There was an Irish festival all weekend at the town square, plus the Armory Square district had some nice bars, including Syracuse Suds where we would hang out the next two nights. |
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The Orangemen of 'Cuse play in the Big East, but have been having some tough seasons since one of their more famous graduates, Donovan McNabb, moved onto the NFL. This game saw them playing the North Carolina Tar Heels from the ACC. Both teams had dropped their openers the week before. |
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The game started miserably for the Orangemen when Tar Heels safety DeFonte Coleman picked off Cuse's QB RJ Anderson first pass and returned it into Syracuse territory. |
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From there Tar Heels kicker Dan Orner booted a 52-yard FG for the first points of the game. We were impressed - and had no idea that he'd repeat the trick 2 more times! 3-0 TAR HEELS |
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On the final play of the 1st quarter, Tar Heels RB Willie Parker scooted round left end for a 50 yard TD to further increase the visitors lead. 10-0 TAR HEELS
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But back came the 'Cuse! Firstly, RB Walter Reyes (#39) burst over left tackle for a 1 yard run finishing off a nice 14 play 84 yard drive. 10-7 TAR HEELS |
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Then some razzle dazzle gave them the lead! After recovering a fumble deep in Tar Heel territory., 'Cuse WR Johnnie Morant (#2) took the hand-off off a double reverse, and helped by a block from his QB (#5), scored from 14 yards out. |
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The 39,000 alleged fans on hand came to life - as did the Syracuse mascot, who potentially could make our top #5 list of "Poorest attempts at a mascot in professional or college sports". But we dug him all the same ... |
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Dan Orner was on fire, converting a 51 yard FG just before the half to make it 14-13. Then he nailed a school record 55 yarder early in the 3rd Q. This tied the Div I-A record for 50-yard FG's in a game (held also by Wyoming's Jerry DePoyster in 1966, Wichita State's Sergio Lopez-Chavero in 1984 and Iowa's Tim Douglas in 1998). TAR HEELS 16 'CUSE 14 |
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But the Orangemen fought back when QB RJ Anderson sneaked in from 1 yard out. The QB had a rough day completing only 4 of 11 passes, and has since lost his starting job. Quite why they let him wear McNabb's #5 jersey we're not sure! A successful 2 point conversion gave the 'Cuse a 6 point lead. 'CUSE 22 TARHEELS 16 |
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Tar Heels QB Darian Durant drops back in the 4th quarter. Where's the pass rush? |
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Durant then launches a bomb downfield in the waiting hands of WR Jawarski Pollock for a 48 yard TD! TAR HEELS 23 'CUSE 22 |
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The game was heating up, literally. It was after 2300 local time but the temperature hadn't dropped in the Dome at all. The Carrier Dome is supposedly named after a local company that make air conditioners! We think they need some inside maybe! |
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After Syracuse had to punt, Durant led the Tar Heels back down the field again, this time hitting TE Alden Blizzard for the clinching score. TAR HEELS 30 'CUSE 22 |
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FINAL TAR HEELS 30 'CUSE 22 Game MVP: It has to be Tar Heels K Dan Orner for going 3 for 3 on his 50 yard FG's. OK they were indoors - but we'll certainly watch this guy's career with interest. After the game we headed back to the hotel to crash as we had an early rise to get to Buffalo ... |
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Lock in at the Dome! We were travelling with FTP once again. Be sure to check their web-site for updates on the tour as well. |
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