I was just watching the '93 Fiesta from ESPN Classic. Syracuse beat Colorado 26-22. What strikes me about this game is how many NFL players came out of it. Syracuse just doesn't get that kind of talent anymore, which is why Pasqualoni needed to go. But both teams in this game were freekin' loaded.
The Buffs, of course, had a young QB by the name of Kordell Stewart. WR was Michael Westbrook. Tight end, Christian Fauria. And speaking of guys playing in the Super Bowl this Sunday, they also had a linebacker named Ted Johnson (with Chad Brown at another LB). Mitch Berger, who punts for the Saints, missed two extra points for the Buffs that day. And they had the udderly dominate Deon Figures.
I don't believe there are any Syracuse players from that team still in the NFL. Two WRs, Shelby Hill and Qadry "The Missle" Ismail, both played on Sundays. Tight end Chris Gedney had a nice career, as did linebackers Keith Mitchell (who played defensive tackle in college) and Dan Conley. Fiesta Bowl MVP Marvin Graves played a long time in the CFL, may still be playing there for all I know (or care). Their tailbacks were David Walker and Kirby Dar Dar. Walker was just hired by Dave Wannstadt to coach running backs at Pitt. Dar Dar had a cuppa joe in the League.
What was nice about watching this game was seeing Syracuse run the triple option the way it *should* be run. Graves was an outstanding option quarterback. (Interestingly, it is Graves, not Donovan McNabb, who holds the single-season passing yards record at Syracuse, with 2,547 in 1993. He wasn't *just* a runner.)
Kordell Stewart was all over the place with his scatterarm, but managed to lead the Buffs to a second half TD that made the game close -- only to see Dar Dar take the ensuing kickoff on a reverse from the Missle and go 100 yards to the hizzouse.
Colorado's offensive playcalling was a little er uh strange at times. Remind me again, what happened to Bill McCartney?
1 comment:
I remember Graves well. I thought he was an excellent QB, and I remember thinking "They'll never be able to replace him". Funny how things work out.
Back then I thought Syracuse was going to contend for an MNC at some point, but they never quite made it over the hump.
Brent
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