In Syracuse’s Sept. 17 loss to Virginia, tight end Joe Kowalewski had a career day. His seven catches for 96 yards made him SU’s leading receiver this season.

Now, it may be another week before Kowalewski suits up for the Orange again.

SU head coach Greg Robinson said Kowalewski is ‘questionable to doubtful’ for Saturday’s game against Florida State. The senior from Warners injured his shoulder in the second half of SU’s loss to the Cavaliers, though he did return late in the game.

‘He’s still sore,’ Robinson said. ‘He worked out yesterday and caught some balls on his own going out there with buddies. It’s iffy.’

Kowalewski spoke to the media Tuesday without a sling, though he said he has a minor separation. Robinson withheld Kowalewski from practice Tuesday.

‘We’re just taking it day by day,’ Kowalewski said. ‘I’m gonna see what I can do but the coaches and the trainers will make the decision based on how I feel and how things are going.’

Kowalewski said he feels better every day and that he wants to make sure he will be back to play Connecticut on Oct. 7.

‘I was upset about it until I turned on the TV and saw Rodney Harrison from the New England Patriots was gone (for the season) on a tackle,’ Kowalewski said. ‘It’s your senior year and you just gotta suck it up. I want to make sure it’s healed so I don’t go out there and get injured again.’

In search of a win

Robinson said although the Orange is a heavy underdog for this weekend’s game at Florida State, he’s not deterred.

‘I think (defensive line coach) Tim Cross made a great statement: ‘It isn’t about if we can play with them, but we need to win,” Robinson said. ‘I was informed today that we were underdogs. I was informed of the amount (21 points). I will tell you, in my coaching career, this is the most I’ve ever heard that I was an underdog in a game other than a basketball game that I did win. Obviously, we have quite a test.’

Robinson said he plans to get his players to Doak Walker Stadium early so they are not intimidated or overcome by the mystique of the Florida State program.

Florida State is ranked No. 6 in the country. The Seminoles are 3-0 with wins against No. 9 Miami and No. 21 Boston College.

‘It’s one thing to go the day before the game when it’s empty,’ Robinson said of Doak Walker Stadium. ‘It’s another thing to go early enough on the day of the game where you can feel the atmosphere already a little bit.’

Rematch

On Saturday, Syracuse will attempt to avenge its heartbreaking 17-13 loss to FSU last year in the Carrier Dome.

Robinson said he’s watched tape of last year’s game but he focused more on what the Seminoles did this season, particularly against Boston College.

‘They went to four wide receivers and spread it out,’ Robinson said of the Seminole offense. ‘They didn’t give their tailbacks the ball really, other than a couple of check downs. All of a sudden, they got into a rhythm with the no-huddle. I think it minimized the effectiveness of Boston College’s defense.’

Robinson said he is looking forward to facing Florida State and its legendary head coach, Bobby Bowden.

‘I have great respect for Bobby Bowden and what he’s done for college football,’ Robinson said. ‘His teams play with enthusiasm. I’ve coached Florida State kids (in the NFL) and they believe in their program. It’s a very competitive program.’

Published on September 27, 2005 at 12:00 pm