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After months of speculation, the NCAA has finally released its rulings on an investigation into the USC athletic programs and alleged recruiting violations. And the news is not good for USC fans.

A 2 year bowl game ban, recruiting restrictions, and a loss of TEN scholarships per year for the next 3 years. That’s a total loss of 30 scholarships, which is a rather harsh punishment. However, the bigger news in this deal is the vacating of wins from the 2004-2005 season, which includes a 2005 BCS Championship. The culprit in this deal? Reggie Bush, the mercurial RB/WR/KR who was also the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner. It has long been rumored that Bush’s family was receiving improper benefits, including a rent-free home, while Bush was attending school at USC. Apprently, the NCAA found that Bush was receiving some type of improper benefits, though they did not release exactly what those were. Bush has already released a statement saying he “disagrees” with the NCAA’s findings, but, what else was he supposed to say? It’s been widely assumed that he’s guilty, and he wasn’t exactly cooperative with the NCAA when they wanted to interview him. Unfortunately, the current players will have to pay for the sins of Bush and the former coaching staff. Speaking of the coaching staff, does anyone else think Pete Carroll abandoned ship at just the right time?

Another side plot in this story? Lane Kiffin. Kiffin has one year of head coaching experience, and already has more recruiting violations than some coaches with 20 years experience. What happens the next time Lane messes up? Does USC get the dreaded “death penalty” or something close to it? Was the USC administration arrogant enough to think they were going to get off the hook with the NCAA in this deal, so they didn’t have to worry about Kiffin’s past transgressions? I have to think they are seriously kicking themselves today for that decision, even though the university has said they will appeal the ruling to the NCAA, claiming that the punishment was “too severe” for the violations. I hate to break it to you, USC, but you had a player basically being paid to play for you for a couple of years. The punishment definitely fits the crimes.

Hey, Seantrel Henderson, still comfortable with your decision to attend USC?

Rob Neumann
TenYards.com Correspondent

Report: Texas and Texas A&M have petitioned for membership to the Big Ten.

High level sources in multiple conferences have told KCTV5 that Texas and Texas A&M are looking to move to the Big Ten Conference and have petitioned for membership, while the University of Oklahoma is planning on petitioning the Southeastern Conference to become a member of its conference.

KCTV5’s sources said that Texas and Texas A&M do not have to include Texas Tech or Baylor in their plans. Sources told KCTV5 that there have already been discussions about the two schools entering the Big Ten and that the agreement could be made as soon as Thursday.

Oklahoma is currently working on petitioning to enter the SEC, but must find another university to enter the league with them, sources said. TMZ Sports has reported that Oklahoma State is likely to accept a bid to move to the Pac-10. Earlier Thursday, Colorado accepted an invitation to join the Pac-10.

KCTV5’s sources also said that some Big 12 officials are saying decisions on which deals Big 12 schools take invitations by the end of the day Thursday, although the deals may not be officially announced. Big 12 officials also tell KCTV5’s sources that some Big 12 office employees are planning to be without a job within weeks.

Those decisions would leave the University of Kansas, Kansas State University and the University of Missouri with Baylor, Texas Tech and Iowa State in the Big 12. The Missouri Board of Curators met Thursday and planned to meet Friday to discuss the future of Missouri sports

http://www.kctv5.com/sports/23860558/detail.html

Colorado to the Pac-10? Nebraska to the Big Ten?

Ladies and gentlemen, the dominos are starting to fall into place. The Colorado Buffaloes are officially leaving the Big 12 conference to join the Pac-10, and it is expected to be announced tomorrow that Nebraska is leaving the Big 12 and joining the Big Ten conference.

Colorado president Bruce D. Benson stated that his school was “perfect match” for the Pac-10. Apparently, by “perfect match” he meant “athletically and academically.” However, let’s be serious. These conference moves have absolutely nothing to do with anything except the greenbacks. The money. And there is money to be made in the Pac-10. They may not have their own network, but they do have a contract with Fox Sports Net, and that’s more than the Big 12 can say.

So what does this mean competitively? For the Pac-10, they add a middle of the road Big 12 football team. Considering how weak the Pac-10 was in football last year, the Buffaloes could walk in and be one of the upper echelon teams in the conference right from the beginning. Add in the fact that USC is looking at a 2 year postseason ban and the loss of scholarships, and the Buffaloes have a very good shot at winning the conference title in their first year.

How about Nebraska to the Big Ten? Once again, this is a money move. The Big Ten Network has made the schools in the conference an obscene amount of money already, and it’s probably only going to get better. Nebraska is a program with a great tradition, and will bring a huge fan base with them. Competitively, Nebraska will be right up at the top with Ohio State and Penn State.

What happens to the Big 12 now? A rumor is starting to circulate that Oklahoma State is also bolting for the Pac-10, leaving the Big 12 conference down two schools now, with the potential for 4-5 more schools, such as Texas and Texas A&M, making the jump to other conferences as well. Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe said, “I continue to work through the process that was agreed upon last week by our Board of Directors to address membership issues, and are working tirelessly towards the long-term viability of the Big 12.” With Colorado gone, and with Nebraska and Oklahoma State with one foot out the door, the Big 12 is in a lot of trouble. 3 schools bailing out in one year? That does not bode well.

Rob Neumann
TenYards.com Correspondent

Big Ten Expansion – Good or bad?

The Big Ten Conference has been talking about expanding for a few years now, with most of the speculation centering on Notre Dame. The Big Ten has been sitting at 11 teams since Penn State was admitted back in the mid-90’s, and conventional wisdom has the Big Ten adding a 12th team to even things out.

Not so fast, however, as it seems the Big Ten might aiming for bigger and better things. Recent speculation has the conference going to 14, or possibly even 16 teams, which would make one of the largest conferences in the NCAA.

But what’s the reason behind adding more teams? It’s simple. Money. The Big Ten Network has been wildly successful and profitable, and more teams means more games, which means more people watching, which, of course, means more revenue.

But which teams should be added? Rumor has it the teams being considered are Nebraska, Missouri, Rutgers, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, and Notre Dame. Why would Nebraska and Missouri, longtime members of the Big 12, leave? My guess would be competition. Football is kind at those schools, and with Texas and Oklahoma usually ruling the Big 12 football world, they could come into the Big Ten and be immediate contenders. So I can see the logic there. Same with Pittsburgh and Rutgers. They’re in the loaded Big East conference, where basketball rules. Pitt has had success in basketball in recent years, but Rutgers is always at the bottom of the conference. Both teams have had moderate success in football as well, but I think this move would be all about basketball.

The two that don’t make any sense are Syracuse and Notre Dame. Both teams are in the Big East. Syracuse is almost always near the top of the conference in basketball, but in recent years they have been terrible in football. Notre Dame, of course, is a legendary name in college football. I just can’t see them giving up their independent football schedule, or their TV contract with NBC. That move to me just doesn’t make sense from a monetary standpoint. Competitively, it might make sense for Notre Dame to move into the Big Ten. They already play Michigan, Michigan State, and Purdue every year. They talk about being an elite program, but play teams like Navy and Boston College every year, and those schools aren’t exactly football factories. I think it would help their recruiting to get into a conference, but I just don’t see it happening.

My best guess? I think only Missouri ends up in the Big Ten, and the conference goes to 12 teams. Geographically, it makes sense. Competitively, for Missouri, it makes sense. I just can’t see Nebraska leaving the Big 12, and I really don’t think that Pittsburgh and Rutgers are good options. Pitt could make for an interesting Pitt-Penn State rivalry, but what sense does Rutgers make?

Should the Big Ten expand? Yes. The conference should have an even number of teams. Get it to 12, and it makes sense for both football and basketball. But to do any more than that, I believe, is just overkill. It will be interesting to see what happens here though, and I believe we’re at least a year or two away from anything concrete being put into place.

Rob Neumann
TenYards.com Correspondent

Tennessee’s Lane Kiffin has been named the next head coach at Southern California, athletic director Mike Garrett announced on Tuesday.

Kiffin replaces Pete Carroll, who jumped to the NFL as coach of the Seattle Seahawks.

“We are really excited to welcome Lane Kiffin back to USC,” Garrett said in a statement. “I was able to watch him closely when he was an assistant with us and what I saw was a bright, creative young coach who I thought would make an excellent head coach here if the opportunity ever arose. I’m confident he and his staff will keep USC football performing at the high level that we expect.”

The hiring was first reported by ESPN.com.

Matt Field
TenYards.com Sports Editor

Pete Carroll has reportedly resigned as head coach at Southern California, and an agreement for him to become the next coach of the Seattle Seahawks appears close.

A source told the Los Angeles Daily News of Carroll’s resignation, but USC didn’t comment on the report.

An earlier report from the Daily News indicated Carroll was finalizing details to become the new coach of the Seahawks, with an announcement expected no later than Monday. The newspaper said the deal was for five years and worth between $6.5 million and $7 million per season.

The courtship of the 58-year-old former head coach in New England and with the New York Jets began in earnest after the sudden firing of Jim Mora after one season on Friday. Carroll owns a 33-31 record in four seasons as an NFL head coach. The Jets went 6-10 in 1994 before Carroll was fired, and the Patriots were 27-21 from 1997-99 before he was again ousted.

His collegiate resume is much stronger. He became head coach at USC in late 2000 and has won two national championships during his tenure. His program has come under question lately with investigations into NCAA rules violations, one including star running back Joe McKnight, who missed the Emerald Bowl due to questions into whether he violated NCAA rules for driving a Land Rover owned by an area businessman.

McKnight recently announced his decision to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft. Another continuing investigation involves former star running back Reggie Bush.

On the field, Carroll built a recent dynasty in Southern California with highly-regarded recruiting classes and Pac-10 titles.

Matt Field
TenYards.com Sports Editor

The two best teams in the land collide in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Thursday evening, as the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide and second-ranked Texas Longhorns stake their claims for the BCS National Championship.

Alabama is no stranger to the big stage, as the Crimson Tide will be playing for their 13th national title this week. The team’s last national title came back in 1992. Likewise, Nick Saban is very familiar with the pressures of the big game, leading LSU to the national championship in 2003.

In just his third season at the helm in Tuscaloosa, Saban once again has a team on the verge of greatness. The Crimson Tide have run the table thus far, sporting a flawless 13-0 record to this point. The stellar season was punctuated by a 32-13 demolition of reigning national champion Florida in the SEC Championship Game, thus earning the right to play for this year’s national crown.

With yet another impressive season, Alabama earned its NCAA-best 57th bowl berth. The Tide are 31-22-3 in postseason play overall.

Mack Brown is also seeking a second national title, winning his first just four years ago with the Longhorns. Texas has followed a similar path this season, sporting a perfect 13-0 mark to this point, including winning the Big 12 title with a 13-12 dramatic decision against Nebraska in the conference championship game.

Coach Brown knows the task at hand, but appreciates the opportunity in front of him and his team.

“Our guys understand we’re up against a great opponent on Thursday night, but we also understand it’s for the National Championship, and what a window of opportunity for most teams. You know, it’s too hard to get here not to enjoy it, so we’re going to enjoy the week, enjoy being here and try to play our best game. We still haven’t played our best game yet.”

Texas ranks second in NCAA Bowl appearances, playing in its 49th bowl game this year. The team is 25-21-3 in prior postseason affairs.

Texas has never lost to Alabama in the all-time series, sporting a 7-0-1 record in eight previous meetings. However, this is the first time these two teams have met on the gridiron since the 1982 Cotton Bowl, a 14-12 win for Texas.

There wasn’t much that Texas couldn’t do with the football this season and the result was ranking third in the nation in scoring at 40.7 ppg. The team was able to rush for 152.7 yards per game on 4.1 yards per carry, but the real strength was in a passing attack that netted 279.7 yards per game.

It certainly helps to have one of college football’s greatest leaders under center in senior All-American Colt McCoy. The all-time leader in career wins, McCoy had yet another stellar campaign this season, completing a ridiculous 70.5 percent of his passes, for 3,512 yards, with 27 TDs. The Heisman finalist was certainly aided by fellow First-Team All-American wideout Jordan Shipley, as he hauled in 106 passes, for 1,363 yards and 11 TDs. The ground game plays second-fiddle in Austin, but rushers like Tre’ Newton (5.0 ypc, six TDs) and Cody Johnson (4.0 ypc, 12 TDs) know how to make the most of their opportunities.

As good as McCoy and company have been this year, the Texas defense may have actually played a more critical role in landing the Longhorns in the title game. Among the national leaders in just about every facet of defensive play, Texas finished up ranked first in rush defense (62.2 ypg), third in total defense (251.1 ypg) and eighth in scoring defense (15.2 ppg). In addition, this big play unit racked up 41 sacks, 24 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries.

There are playmakers at every position on the defense. Up front, Texas relies heavily on the push upfield by ends Sam Acho (57 tackles, 13 TFLs, 9.0 sacks, four fumble recoveries) and Sergio Kindle (62 tackles, 18 TFLs, 3.0 sacks) and tackle Lamarr Houston (58 tackles, 20 TFLs, 7.0 sacks). Rodderick Muckelroy (team-high 96 tackles, 11 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, one INT) highlights the play in the LB corps, while safeties Earl Thomas (71 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, eight INTs) and Blake Gideon (56 tackles, five INTs) are ball hawks in the secondary. Thomas was named a First-Team All-American for his efforts.

Texas’ big play ability on defense is something that Nick Saban is very aware of.

“I think Texas has a very good defense, period. They’ve got a very good secondary. They’ve got good people up front. They’ve got very good pass rushers. I think all those things contribute to the turnovers. I think they also have the most non-offensive touchdowns scored (in the nation), which means their defense is scoring some too. I think it’s because of the pressure, and not just the way the players play in the back end, but also the pressure they put on you and how it affects the quarterback up front. The challenge is that all the guys do their job well. We’re going to have to protect well. We’re going to have to run good routes and get open, make a good choice in the way we distribute the ball from the quarterback position. Turnovers will definitely have an impact on this game, like they do every game.”

The Longhorns use the pass to soften things up for the run, while Alabama uses the run to set up the pass. Few teams in the country did it better than Alabama this season, as the team churned out 215.8 yards per game on the ground, on 5.1 yards per carry. Sophomore Mark Ingram of course is the main reason for the success, as the First-Team All-American rumbled for 1,542 yards and 15 TDs, en route to the Heisman Trophy. Ingram, who averaged 6.2 yards per carry, made things a lot easier for QB Greg McElroy to manage the passing game. McElroy completed a solid 61.1 percent of his passes this year, for 2,450 yards, with 17 TDs against a mere four interceptions. Wideouts Julio Jones (42 receptions, for 573 yards, four TDs) and Marquis Maze (30 receptions, for 519 yards, two TDs) are the main options on the outside, while Ingram (30 receptions, 322 yards, three TDs) proved to be one of the top receiving tailbacks around.

If Texas’ defense can be labeled as great, than Alabama’s was flat out awesome this year. The team made light work of just about everyone on the schedule, finishing the year ranked second in the nation in scoring defense (11.0 ppg), rush defense (77.9 ypg) and total defense (241.7 ypg), while ranking eighth in pass defense (163.8 ypg).

The combination of size, strength and speed of Alabama’s front seven has really been the difference. First-Team All-American and Butkus Award winner Rolando McClain (6-4, 258) is the heart and soul of the stop unit. The monster LB led the team in tackles this season (101), with 12.5 TFLs, 4.0 sacks and two INTs. Fellow LB Eryk Anders (59 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, 5.0 sacks, one INT) must also be accounted for at all times. Up front, the team looks to 6-3, 280- pound end Marcell Dareus (32 tackles, 9.0 TFLs, 6.5 sacks) and 6-5, 365-pound tackle Terrence Cody 25 tackles, 6.0 TFLs) to wear down the opposition. The secondary has certainly benefited by the play of the front seven, although it doesn’t get much better than DBs Mark Barron (70 tackles, seven INTs) and Javier Arenas (66 tackles, 12.0 TFLs, 5.0 sacks, three INTs).

While Cody’s numbers aren’t overwhelming, Saban knows the value of his mammoth nose guard.

“I think the nature of his position is not one where you would have a significant amount of production, in terms of he is an interior player, he plays nose guard or usually plays on the center or just off the center in the A-gap. I think the value that he creates for us, first off all he is very difficult to block, and most of the time they’ve got to use two blockers on him, which means that somebody else is not getting blocked, primarily the linebackers and those guys make a lot of plays and make lots of tackles and not have people coming off to block them, where it’s more difficult to take on a block, get off a block and make a tackle. I think his real value is that he is very difficult to block and he eats up a few blockers that helps the other players on the team play a lot better.”

Cody and Arenas joined McClain as First-Team All-Americans this year, while Barron was tabbed a Third-Team All-American.

The Longhorns may have struggled down the stretch with a couple of nail-biting victories, and although that has thrown up some red flags, it shouldn’t be a distraction to the team according to Brown.

“I don’t know if people telling you every day that you’re not good enough is advantageous. What I’ve got to do is have a balance of saying here’s the reason people are saying it: Alabama played in its last game better than you played in your last two as a whole. They played a great football game. And that should not be any different in motivating us than playing for a National Championship.”

Matt Field
TenYards.com Sports Editor

With the NFL regular season coming to a close on Sunday, we now know the St. Louis Rams, fresh off a one-win season, are on the clock for the 2010 NFL Draft.

While the draft is a little over four months away, it’s never too early to breakdown the names that commissioner Roger Goodell will be announcing from the podium in April. Whether it’s dominant defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen, or super safety Eric Berry, fans are getting ready to welcome a new crop of young playmakers into the league.

The Detroit Lions, who had no where to go but up after their winless campaign a year ago, improved by two games this season but will still pick second overall, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will round out the top three. 

Here’s are some of the top NCAA players coming to an NFL franchise near you in 2010.
 
Sam Bradford
Quarterback – Oklahoma
Had he entered the 2009 NFL Draft, Bradford may have gone ahead of Matthew Stafford. Now after a season of injuries his stock will take a hit, but in a draft class that’s lacking a Peyton Manning-caliber prospect he may still be the first passer selected. 

Jimmy Clausen
Quarterback – Notre Dame
When Charlie Weis left Notre Dame, Clausen wasn’t far behind. While it’s unrealistic to assume the pair will teammate once again after Weis takes over offensive coordinator duties for an NFL club, Clausen did gain experience in Weis’ pro-style offense, which will help his development at the next level.

C.J. Spiller
Running Back – Clemson
Although Spiller may not be as explosive as Tennessee Titans’ RB Chris Johnson, he does provide the potential to score on any given play. The Clemson product doesn’t project as an every down back, but his speed and catching ability will make him an asset in any team’s running game.  

Jahvid Best
Running Back – California
Best is another exciting ball carrier who can take it to pay dirt at any moment. The 5′10″, 195-pound product would be a nice compliment to a team’s backfield, adding his blazing speed as another weapon for their rushing attack. 

Dez Bryant
Wide Receiver – Oklahoma State
Bryant is the top receiver coming out of the NCAA this season, and will become a number one target on an NFL club in the near future. He is the type of player defences will have to focus on in their gameplans, as he has a knack for creating separation, the athleticism to out-leap defenders, and catches everything thrown his way.

Jermaine Gresham
Tight End – Oklahoma
Like his teammate Sam Bradford, Gresham missed a good portion of his season due to injury. The good news for Gresham is that he was sidelined early, allowing him plenty of time to recover. More of a receiver than a tight end, Gresham is a true playmaker and will help open up the field for his new team.

Russell Okung
Offensive Tackle – Oklahoma State
Okung isn’t particularly great in one area, but instead is solid in all aspects of his game. Depending what happens at the combine and pre-draft workouts, Okung should be a Top 10 pick, and the first offensive tackle chosen in April.

Trent Williams
Offensive Tackle – Oklahoma
Much like Okung, Williams is not an instant franchise tackle, however he should be a dependable bookend to any offensive line. During his time with the Sooners he played both tackle positions, and is more likely to enjoy early success as a right tackle in the NFL. 

Derrick Morgan
Defensive End – Georgia Tech
If your team is looking for a relentless workhorse at defensive end, Morgan should be their selection. The Georgia Tech pass rusher won’t be confused with Dwight Freeney or Jared Allen, but he will be a productive player who, in the right system, will cause headaches for opposing quarterbacks.

Ndamukong Suh
Defensive Tackle – Nebraska
Arguably the most talented player available in this year’s draft, Suh is a dangerous defender who will wreak havoc on offensive lines every time he steps on the field. Suh made headlines when he sacked Texas’ QB Colt McCoy 4.5 times in the Big 12 Championship game, which led many to make a case for him as a legitimate candidate for this year’s Heisman trophy.

Gerald McCoy
Defensive Tackle – Oklahoma
While every defensive tackle needy team is hoping to land Suh at the top of the draft, Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy isn’t a bad consolation prize. McCoy could also go within the first five picks of the draft, and would give his new team a top notch talent to build around on their defensive line. If Suh is number one, than McCoy is 1A.

Rolando McClain
Linebacker – Alabama
McClain has been a serious impact player for the Crimson Tide defence throughout his collegiate career. Now he brings his versatile skill set to the pros, where he could play inside or outside linebacker. McClain will hope to make the same mark in his rookie season that last year’s first round linebackers made (Aaron Curry, Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews).

Joe Haden
Cornerback – Florida
If he declares himself eligible, chances are Florida’s Joe Haden will be best cornerback to come out of the 2010 draft class. The junior is a steady tackler in addition to being a strong cover-man and will be at the top of the depth chart on whichever team adds him to their roster.

Eric Berry
Safety – Tennessee
If Ndamukong Suh isn’t the best prospect out there, then Eric Berry is. The 5′1″, 203-pound junior is the premiere safety in the NCAA, with so much skill and athletic ability that he could very well play any position in the secondary, even in the NFL. You don’t often see safeties taken with one of the top picks, but Berry will be gone in the Top 5, if not earlier.  

Taylor Mays
Safety – USC
Mays is another game-changing safety but plays a different style than Berry. Mays doesn’t rack up the same amount of interceptions, but he is active in the run game and lethal as a tackler. At 6′3″, 230-pounds, Mays hits with the ferocity of a linebacker, but has the speed to succeed in the secondary.

Matt Field
TenYards.com Sports Editor

Posted by Matt Field

University of Alabama running back Mark Ingram on Saturday was named the winner of Heisman Trophy, the award given annually to the nation’s best college football player, at the Times Square Nokia Theatre in New York.

A tearful Ingram accepted the trophy having bested — in what was said to be the closest voting in the award’s history — four other finalists: Nebraska defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh, Stanford running back Toby Gerhart, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy and Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

Ingram is the first University of Alabama player to win the Heisman.

Ingram and Texas’ McCoy will meet again on the field on January 7, 2010, when their undefeated teams play in the Bowl Championship Series national title game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Matt Field
TenYards.com Sports Editor

Greg Paulus’ debut at quarterback for Syracuse lacked only the storybook ending.

Eric Ellestad kicked a 35-yard field goal in overtime Saturday to give Minnesota a 23-20 victory over the Orange, who failed to score in the extra session when Paulus threw his lone interception on an ill-advised pass.

Paulus got off to a strong start in his first football game since 2004, but his turnover on a third-and-5 play on the first possession of OT gave the Gophers a chance to win.

“I shouldn’t make that throw,” Paulus said. “I was trying to make a play. Sometimes it worked; sometimes it didn’t. I should have thrown the ball in the back of the end zone and kicked the field goal.”

Paulus guided Syracuse to a 20-14 lead at the break but failed to convert any of the Orange’s eight third-down tries in the second half.

“We had some opportunities to put them away and we just didn’t get it done offensively,” Paulus said. “And that’s on me.”

Still, in his first college football game after playing point guard for four seasons at Duke, Paulus made plenty of positive plays. He was 19-for-31 for 167 yards and one touchdown.

“I would have liked a better outcome,” said Paulus, just 7-for-14 for 39 yards in the second half after the Minnesota defense adjusted. “That pick, I shouldn’t make that mistake. I’ll be kicking myself for a little bit thinking about that one. But playing football is awesome. It’s so much fun. I can’t tell you the joy I get. To play here is phenomenal.”

Paulus had not played competitive football since he was honored as 2004 national player of the year at Christian Brothers Academy in suburban Syracuse. New coach Doug Marrone, who played for the Orange in the mid-1980s, made Paulus the starter less than two weeks into preseason camp, and he felt good about the decision despite the outcome of the opener.

“It [the interception] was a poor decision,” Marrone said. “I’ll rely on him to make the right decision. I have a lot of trust in him.”

Adam Weber was 19-for-42 for 248 yards and one touchdown and Eric Decker had nine catches for 183 yards to lead Minnesota.

Until his ill-fated throw, Paulus showed great poise for somebody who had never played the position in college, and the Orange’s revamped offensive line provided adequate protection.

Paulus, who received an NCAA waiver to play football with his one remaining year of athletic eligibility, seemed at home after the Orange’s first snap of the game sailed way over his head and led to a quick Minnesota touchdown. He looked off defenders and scrambled when he had to, displaying the flair that made him a record-setting high school quarterback five years ago.

With Syracuse trailing 14-3 late in the first quarter, Paulus electrified the near-capacity crowd of 48,617, which included former Syracuse star Donovan McNabb, with his first collegiate scoring pass.

Facing a second-and-6 from the Minnesota 29, Paulus fooled three defenders with a pump fake and hit a wide-open Mike Williams near the goal line to move the Orange within 14-10. It marked the 10th straight game Williams has had a TD catch, a school record and the best mark in the nation.

Not even penalties seemed to faze Paulus. Despite a false start and a hold against the Orange late in the second quarter, he guided Syracuse 67 yards in eight plays, accounting for all but 10 yards with four completions in four attempts to set up Delone Carter’s 1-yard touchdown run.

That gave the Orange, who were 10-37 in the previous four years under Greg Robinson, a rare 20-14 halftime lead. Syracuse scored 20 or more points in a game only eight times under Robinson.

The game started badly for the Orange. Center Jim McKenzie’s first snap sailed over Paulus’ head and was recovered by Minnesota’s Cedric McKinley at the Syracuse 16. Two plays later, Duane Bennett scored untouched on a 16-yard run around the right side.

Ellestad forced overtime with a 26-yard field goal with 57 seconds left after a lob by Weber for Decker in the right corner of the end zone sailed high.

“This was exactly what I expected it to be,” Minnesota coach Tim Brewster said. “Syracuse is a tough place to play. We didn’t do everything right by any means, but I’m excited that we found a way to win.”