SYRACUSE — Niko Rechul had made a few special kicks before, but this one was different.

As a soccer player born in Munich, Germany, Rechul had booted a few critical penalty kicks in his life. But as Syracuse's senior kicker, launching his first kickoff — before a national television audience, no less — was a bit overwhelming. Rechul let his right leg go, however, as the football sailed through the warm August sky to Northwestern's goal line. At last, the Orange walk-on could exhale.

"I ended up getting my first tackle on that play, too," Rechul said. "I was so stoked. I didn't know what to do. I had never felt that rush."

Rechul is one of a several current or former walk-ons who have given Syracuse a lift this season. They've earned the trust of their teammates in what's been a tumultuous season for the Orange.

"In a place like Syracuse, the walk-ons are so important to your program and so many of them do play vital roles for us and it's definitely appreciated," said SU coach Greg Robinson.

For Rechul, it was about opportunity. He was recruited for soccer out of Huntington High School, but desired to do two things: kick a football regularly and compete for a Division I school. Rechul said the financial package was right for him to attend Syracuse.

Robinson allowed Rechul to join the program as a walk-on prior to spring practice in 2006. Once practices began, Rechul was relentless in finding his niche; whether it was kicking field goals, punting or blasting kickoffs. After watching Rechul kick field goals in camp, Robinson told him to try kickoffs, since senior captain Patrick Shadle was the Orange's place-kicker.

Rechul claimed the starting spot in fall camp. He's averaging approximately 65 yards per kickoff this year, including three touchbacks. He wants to return next season, but with a scholarship in tow.

"It was a long shot, but I knew I could kick the ball," Rechul said. "I was happy to be a big part of the team."

All Max Leo ever wanted was to play for Syracuse. A local product from Bishop Grimes High School, Leo watched games intently, hoping to run onto the Carrier Dome's turf field some day. He was a 5-foot-11, 200-pound kicker in high school, until his coach asked him to attempt long snaps. Leo made it look easy.

Coincidentally, Syracuse was looking for a consistent long snapper. Leo played the position for a year at Hudson Valley Community College, and he showed SU some highlights of his work following the season. Robinson made Leo a walk-on this past spring, and he was the Orange's long snapper by August.

A day before the fall semester begun, Robinson told Leo he had earned a scholarship. This season, Leo's steady snaps have allowed SU's Rob Long to become one of the nation's top punters.

"It was an incredible feeling," Leo said of earning a scholarship. "I'm not going to lie. I felt numb and shed a tear."

Cameron Dantley is the ultimate poster boy of a successful walk-on tale. He was recruited by then-Syracuse head coach Paul Pasqualoni and already had secured a scholarship for the 2005 campaign. But after Pasqualoni was terminated, so was Dantley's free ride. Robinson kept Dantley as a walk-on though, and the Washington, D.C., native regained his scholarship before the 2007 season.

Dantley's perseverance led to his emergence as SU's starting quarterback. He's thrown for 1,239 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions this year. Now Dantley — like Rechul and Leo — acts a mentor for fellow walk-ons pushing for their chance.

"I know how it was for them coming in," Dantley said. "Not exactly how it was, but not having a scholarship. It's like, 'Man, what am I doing here? Am I ever going to play?' and this and that. Those guys just have to be patient like I was. I was patient and knew my time would come if I kept working hard."

KELLY WON'T TALK TENNESSEE

Brian Kelly hasn't even completed his second season as Cincinnati's head coach, and there's already speculation about his future.

Last week, the Knoxville News reported that Kelly was the leading candidate for the opening at Tennessee. But Kelly told the Cincinnati Enquirer this week that there would be no discussions until season's end. A win over Syracuse on Saturday would clinch the Big East championship and a potential berth in Orange Bowl for the Bearcats.

"I don't even want to get into the speculation that I've had to deal with last year and this year," Kelly told the Enquirer. "I'm not even dealing with it, so keep it off my desk."

Kelly's imaginative offense and penchant for winning led him to Cincinnati. In his first game, he coached the Bearcats to a 27-24 victory over Western Michigan in the International Bowl in 2006. Last season, Cincinnati tied its school record for wins with 10 and was victorious in the Papajohns.com Bowl. As a result, Kelly was named the 2007 Big East Coach of the Year.