Carroll Madison, Mike Sklarosky, Justin Outten, Ryan Durand, Marvin McCall.

No matter how poorly they continue to play, those five will make up Greg Robinson’s offensive line for the rest of the year.

Only one – Durand, at right guard – remains in the same spot as the season opener at Wake Forest.

The Syracuse head coach said in his Sunday press conference he is out of options to repair perhaps the weakest unit on the team.

For most of the season, the line has failed to provide holes for running backs Curtis Brinkley and Delone Carter or pass-protect for quarterback Perry Patterson. The offense ranks 112th in Division I, a year after finishing 115th.

‘We have about exhausted all that we can do without playing players who we want to redshirt,’ Robinson said. ‘I don’t see putting those people in at this stage, and I didn’t see it two weeks ago, to go through the learning experience. I think we can get them right and still have them for four years. I think that they are going to be good football players to mix in with the group that will return.’

Robinson specifically mentioned Adam Rosner, Ryan Bartholomew, Jim McKenzie and Tucker Baumbach as redshirt freshman who could be in the mix next season in their first year of eligibility. He also mentioned freshman walk-on Dalton Phillips.

‘Hope springs eternal,’ Robinson said. ‘But I do think the young group that is over on the scout team is doing well. I like what they do over there.’

To recap the conga line, Madison has played almost every position. McCall started the season at center until a move to both tackle spots a few weeks ago. Corey Chavers and Eugene Newsome began the year at the tackle spots but have not seen as much playing time recently. Freshman Ian Hammond continues to see the field in a backup role.

Robinson did reiterate South Florida required a blitz to maintain pressure on Patterson on Saturday. But still, the Bulls recorded seven sacks.

‘I think that we weren’t consistent,’ Robinson said. ‘At times we have blocked up and done great, and at times our technique was not good. There was a time or two where I think we were uncertain who were supposed to block.’

New faces

While the offensive line will not change, other positions might.

Now that a bowl game is out of the question, Robinson hinted at giving playing time to younger players at linebacker and cornerback. The head coach loses all three of his starting linebackers (Luke Cain, Jerry Mackey and Kelvin Smith) and both starting cornerbacks (Terrell Lemon, Tanard Jackson) at the end of the season.

‘We talked about it today a little bit and how to do it,’ Robinson said. ‘I am not big on sending in a whole group at a time. Maybe we will play a guy here or there for a few plays. The same thing applies in the secondary.’

At linebacker, some of those younger players would likely be Ben Maljovec, Mike Owen and Mike Stenclik. Maljovec returned an interception for a touchdown against Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 23.

Nick Chestnut, who plays regularly in the nickel and dime defenses, is the top candidate for one of the starting cornerback positions next year.

A-Rob

Robinson said he would not hesitate putting Andrew Robinson into the game out of fear the freshman getting hurt. Even though the offensive line has allowed 41 sacks this season, the head coach said the freshman must be exposed to the pressure.

‘I think he has to go out there and experience it,’ Greg Robinson said.

Andrew Robinson has played in two games this season, including South Florida on Saturday. The freshman is 0-for-4 with an interception combined.

‘Andrew is a mature young man,’ Greg Robinson said. ‘Just being out there doing it, he will take from it and learn from it.’

Published on November 12, 2006 at 12:00 pm