McNabb Steals Show in Syracuse’s Opener

Donovan or Dayne?

In the Kickoff Classic, it was Donovan McNabb and No. 17 Syracuse--by a ton.

McNabb, the Orangemen’s shifty quarterback, ran for one touchdown and threw for another Sunday in a 34-0 victory over No. 24 Wisconsin.

Dayne, the record-setting Badger tailback, found the going tougher, managing only 46 yards in 13 carries and suffering a slight neck injury that weakened his right arm.

“I wanted to become a leader on this team and make the plays when I have the ball in my hands,” said McNabb, who finished 11 of 14 for 211 yards and ran for 27 more on five carries. “We did well today.”

As for Dayne, the 5-foot-10, 262-pounder who ran for an NCAA freshman record 1,836 yards last season, his effort was the least productive of the 14 games he has played.

“I did the best I could,” said Dayne, who missed the final series of the first half and the final 8:41. “And I saw my linemen do the best they could too.”

With Tennessee’s Peyton Manning the top Heisman Trophy contender, Dayne and McNabb entered the season as challengers. McNabb remains a challenger.

“He is possibly a great quarterback,” Wisconsin Coach Barry Alvarez said. “He puts a lot of pressure and he has a good supporting cast, nice offensive line, good receivers. He can make things happen. He caused a lot of problems for our defense.”

Alvarez said Dayne “got a stinger” on a 20-yard reception early in the third quarter, was treated by the trainer “and able to come back in later.”

The Orangemen, who started last season with two losses, got off to a fast start against the Badgers.

Kevin Johnson returned the opening kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown and Syracuse was on its way to its first opening-game shutout since 1967.

“The return kick just jump-starts everything,” Syracuse Coach Paul Pasqualoni said. “It gave the kids and the staff a tremendous feeling.”

Syracuse was never threatened after leading, 24-0, at halftime.

The shutout marked the fifth consecutive time the losing offense has failed to score a touchdown in the Kickoff Classic.