A Pinstriped Thriller
Syracuse Outlasts Kansas State 36-34 at Yankee Stadium
By JARED DIAMOND
Wall Street Journal
New York City has long been considered a college football wasteland—a region oversaturated with professional teams and lacking a natural rooting interest. But by agreeing to host the inaugural Pinstripe Bowl, the Yankees demonstrated their confidence in the long-term viability of college football in a market noted for its apathy toward the sport.
It seems their gamble worked. Syracuse came away with a thrilling 36-34 victory over Kansas State in the first bowl game at Yankee Stadium since 1962. After a questionable excessive-celebration penalty, the Wildcats had a two-point conversion try from the 18-yard line with a chance to tie the game, but failed to convert.
"The financial story of this bowl game has been outstanding," Yankees' President Randy Levine said. Even with the extra expense involved in a massive snow removal project, Mr. Levine said the game has already exceeded revenue expectations.More importantly, the event showed that with the right event—and a little help from the Yankees—local fans may be able to carve out a small place in their hearts for college football.
In the days leading up to the game, the Yankees employed more than 400 workers to remove approximately 1.5 million pounds of snow from Yankee Stadium. By the time kickoff rolled around Thursday afternoon, the field was completely clear.
The work showed. Mountains of gray-white slushy snow surrounded the field, blanketing the area around home plate and sitting in massive piles in left and right field.
Yankees Chief Operating Officer Lonn Trost said in a news conference before the game that the team sold 44,133 tickets, including 6,000 donated to various charities. The club announced an in-stadium attendance of 38,274.
The New York City Economic Development Corporation predicted that the staging of the Pinstripe Bowl would bring between $20 million and $30 million of extra revenue to New York City, a figure Mr. Levine said they matched or exceeded.
On the field, the win marked a significant step forward for Syracuse, a program that calls itself "New York's College Team." The Orange (8-5) had been mired in its worst stretch in school history, winning just 14 games in the last five seasons. before this year"In the face of the sixth-largest snowstorm in the history of New York City, we still were able to have a field and a stadium and a facility that the fans can enjoy, the players will enjoy," Mr. Trost said.
But under second-year head coach Doug Marrone, Syracuse began its turnaround, ending with Thursday's win.
Playing in its first bowl since 2004, Syracuse compiled 498 yards of total offense and put on a show in the market it desperately wants to dominate both for recruiting and exposure.
Running back Delone Carter won game MVP honors by rushing for 198 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries. Receiver Marcus Sales made five catches for 172 yards and three scores.
The victory was especially important to Mr. Marrone. He grew up in the Bronx, and his grandfather worked as an usher at the old Yankee Stadium. For one day, Syracuse lived up to its slogan.
"There was a moment out there tonight where I truly did almost break down and go to my knee," Mr. Marrone said, "because this really was a dream come true for me."
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