Thursday, September 11, 2003

By Paul Zeise, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Plenty of people are calling for changes to the NFL's "sudden-death" overtime system. The chief complaint is that the team that gets the ball first usually wins, so there is far too much riding on the coin flip.

One suggestion was that the NFL adopt a system similar to the college format, where the teams alternate possessions starting at the 25-yard line. Critics say it is a gimmick much like a shootout in soccer or hockey because it is, basically, just a red-zone drill.

According to Syracuse coach Paul Pasqualoni, that's exactly what makes the system the best available for breaking ties.

"What I really like about it is both teams have an equal chance to score," he said. "The other thing is the clock is off, so time management is taken out of it, and your only focus is on the red zone. The fact that it is basically a red-zone scrimmage is a good thing because you always work on your red-zone packages, and that's an important part of the game to keep sharp.

"The more I have been involved with [overtime], the more I'm convinced that it is a very, very fair way to break ties. It is a great system."

Pasqualoni also is a proponent of the rule that forces a team to go for two points after every touchdown after the second overtime.

"If you didn't do that, you could be there all day." he said.

Pasqualoni speaks from experience. The Orangemen beat North Carolina, 49-47, in three overtimes Saturday. It was their third three-overtime game in their past 10 games dating to last season.

In the fourth game last season, Syracuse lost to Auburn, 37-34, in three overtimes but defeated Virginia Tech in three overtimes in their 10th game, 50-42.

"It seems like every third game now, we're in one of these three-overtime games," he said.

Facilities matter

Several Big East coaches pondered the question of whether or not nice facilities really make a difference in recruiting and maintaining a top program.

The consensus is that facilities matter, but the sticking point is how much.

"Facilities are important," Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said. "But I don't think it is a matter of you get a kid because you have them. It is more a matter of you lose a kid if you don't. Right now, we're doing a $12 million addition to our complex because our feeling is, let's let the bricks and mortar even each other out and make it a people issue.

"Ultimately, it will be about people when you get the kids on campus."

No comment

During the weekly Big East coaches conference call Monday, a Miami Herald reporter asked several coaches about their fondest Miami memories. The Hurricanes are leaving the Big East after this season.

Most of the coaches waxed poetic about the Hurricanes, but Pitt coach Walt Harris wasn't in a nostalgic mood.

"I'm not going to worry about missing them because we have a long way before we play them one final time," Harris said. "I'm not really thinking much about Miami. I don't think this is the time for me to talk about [Miami]. Any Ball State questions, I'll answer."

Home opener, sort of

The University of Connecticut played Indiana two weeks ago to open its new stadium -- Rentschler Field. The Huskies won't join the Big East for football until next season.

But Saturday is the Huskies' unofficial Big East home opener as Boston College will become the first conference rival to play at Rentschler Field. The Eagles are the first of three Big East opponents for the Huskies this season. They will play at Virginia Tech (Sept. 27) and play host to Rutgers (Nov. 4).

And while there are still some who are skeptical about Connecticut's ability to become a football power, the Huskies have sent a clear message they are serious. Connecticut has won six consecutive games dating to last season. That includes wins against Iowa State from the Big 12 last season and the Hoosiers from the Big Ten this season. Those mark the Huskies' first victories against teams from those conferences.

Boston College has played the Huskies 10 times and has won eight of them. The other two games (1908, '10) ended in scoreless ties.

E-mail this story   Print this story