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SPORTSSyracuse Herald American, Sun., July 25, 1982 D-9tAmerks triumph in debutDavid Clark (41) hits paydirt for the initial six-pointer in American football history. (From Page D-l)The win sets the stage for next Saturday's first league contest of the season against EFL powerhouse Binghamton. The Jets hold a 16-ame win streak in the league, and tanton’s former club should provide the Americans with their first real test of the year.Run, run, runRight from the start, the name of the game was run, run and then run some more. On their first drive, the Americans marched 70 yards in 10 plays, capped off by a David. Clark five-yard touchdown plunge. Nine of the 10 plays were runs, and the one pass wasn’t by design.“That was an audible, said quarterback Mark Bono, a Nottingham High grad, who completed two of five passes for 36 yards. “We basically wanted to run the ball down their throats right off the bat, and our offensive line was really blowing their guys out. They were amazing tonight, they did a heck of a job.”The defense got into the act, too, as they repeatedly kept the Viking offense in check in the trenches. Hudson’s passing attack, led by QB Lou Pierro, enjoyed some late-game success, but it was not enough to overcome the early lead the Amerks built up.The defense, coached by former CBA head man Pete Vercillo, was extremely aggressive, almost too much so. Timing problems accounted for several encroachment violations in the first half, a problem that Vercillo feels will iron itself out with time.Not together yet“Right now, we’re not really together,’’ said Vercillo, who called the defensive plays via signals from the sideline. “We’re 11 players out there, instead of a team unit. But it’s still early, and I’m very pleased at the progress we’ve made in such ashort period of time. Eventually, 1 know we'll come together.The defense coulc not be accused of sluggishness, as fired-up play led to a couple of skirmishes with the Vikings. No serious fighting occurred, but the Americans let it be known that, although it was just an exhibition game, the point was to win.The highlight of the contest came with less than eight minutes to go in the first half. After tough Syracuse ‘D’ forced a Viking punt deep in their own territory, a bad snap resulted in a safety for the Americans, as the ball rolled out of the end zone.‘TD’ scamperA dead-ball foul against Hudsonon the punt return put the ball on the Viking 40. On the first play, Syracuse running back Bruce ‘TD’ Smith lived up to his nickname, as he scampered all the way home for the Americans second touchdown. On the way back to the bench, he raised his helmet to the crowd, bringing a tremendous ovation.The large turnout was the biggest surprise of the night, and public relations man Skip Webb was the first to admit it.I’ve been involved in PR in this town for a long time,” he said, “and I've never seen anything like this. This just shows you that Syracuse is ready for a winner, and the Americans are out to give the people what they want.”
Newspaper Details
Syracuse Herald Journal
Syracuse, New York, US
Sun, Jul 25, 1982
Page 157
Full Page
Clipped by
Sarah K.
NA, 12 Dec 2022
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