Four. That’s the number of times Syracuse head coach Greg Robinson felt sufficient to deny he considered swapping quarterbacks during Sunday’s season opener against West Virginia.

‘No. No. No. No,’ Robinson said in his postgame press conference. ‘I’m not going to do that. If I did that, I’m blaming (starting quarterback Perry Patterson). I’m not going to blame him.’

On Wednesday, Patterson spoke to the media for the first time since his 85-yard, two-interception performance against the Mountaineers. He attempted to explain the collapse of the Orange’s new West Coast Offense.

‘We just couldn’t get into a rhythm,’ Patterson said. ‘Everything was so new for us. I guess you just gotta understand what the offense was trying to do and how the offense is set up. I just didn’t feel real comfortable, especially after the first interception.’

Patterson was 15-for-31 in the game and was sacked three times, including a safety. Though he’s said the new offense is much simpler, Patterson looked flustered at times and couldn’t find open receivers downfield.

He completed seven passes to running back Damien Rhodes, including several screens in the first half, and only four passes total to his wide receivers.

‘That was my 10th start, so I still got a long way to go,’ Patterson said. ‘We’d move the ball and then a dropped pass or a penalty would just get us out of rhythm.’

Patterson was in good spirits Wednesday as an ice pack wrapped his throwing shoulder. He said it’s been a tough week but his coaches, family and friends have helped him keep his head up.

‘After the game, I really felt down on myself,’ he said. ‘I felt like I let a lot of people down. I let the whole town down, I let my teammates down. I really let the defense down, I realized how hard they worked and they were really rooting for me.

‘Now I just gotta get the fans back.’

In the passenger’s seat

Sophomore Joe Fields spoke to the media Wednesday for the first time since he was named the backup quarterback. He said it was difficult watching from the sideline in Sunday’s season-opening loss to West Virginia, but he’s still dedicated to playing for SU.

‘It was tough but you just gotta stick by your teammates and cheer them on,’ Fields said. ‘I think the whole offense didn’t perform like we thought they’d perform.’

Fields was named the starter as a true freshman in 2004 by former head coach Paul Pasqualoni, but only saw backup duty after SU’s first three games.

This summer, Fields said he thought the quarterback competition was even.

‘Anybody would be disappointed (after Robinson chose Patterson) with what I put into it,’ Fields said. ‘I sacrificed a lot and I was down, but that’s life.

‘I knew it was gonna be close, we both had a pretty good camp. Coach Robinson went with the guy he thought could win.’

Though he wasn’t happy with the decision, Fields said he is not considering transferring, that he’s committed to Syracuse.

Fields, who is from Houston, said he’s connected well with new quarterbacks coach Major Applewhite, a former University of Texas quarterback.

‘I feel more comfortable with Coach Applewhite because he’s been in the same situation,’ Fields said. ‘I just try to prepare like I’m the starter. It’s the same mental preparation.’

Published on September 6, 2005 at 12:00 pm