SYRACUSE - Although Syracuse has only won two of eight games this season, head coach Greg Robinson says his Orange remain motivated.

“I have not had a problem with our team, ever, all year,” Robinson said Monday during the Big East coaches' teleconference. “They've worked and fought hard to stay positive throughout the year, and that's why I think we're getting better.”

The Orange (2-6, 1-2 Big East), who beat Buffalo 20-12 in their previous game, are coming off a bye week as they begin preparation for a road game Saturday against Pittsburgh (3-5, 1-2).

Robinson said the break was important, especially in the wake of the Orange's first home victory of the season. Syracuse lost its first four home games by a combined 176-60.

“We've kind of stayed the course, but I do like to think that having a win was good,” Robinson said. “I think having time off was good for the mental health, good for the physical health. If we had lost that game, it would have been a much tougher deal, no doubt.”

Despite Syracuse's struggles - the Orange are at or near the bottom of the national rankings in punt returns, total offense, total defense, sacks allowed, rushing, etc. - Robinson said the win over the improving Bulls promised to be a boost.

“I liked the way we played against them,” he said. “Sometimes, you walk away from a game and you think, 'We didn't play all that well and we won.' I thought we did a lot of good things in all areas. I liked our performance and I thought I saw some growth and development in some areas.”

The victory marked the first time the Orange did not allow a touchdown since a 31-0 victory over the Bulls in Robinson's second game at Syracuse. The defense also held Buffalo tailback James Starks to just 62 yards on 20 carries a week after he gained 231 yards against Toledo. Syracuse quarterback Andrew Robinson passed for 265 yards, the bulk to wideouts Taj Smith and Mike Williams, who each had 113 yards receiving. And the Orange ground game netted a season-high 179 yards behind the running of freshman Doug Hogue (83 yards).

But that was nine days ago.

“As far as where we are today, I don't know,” Greg Robinson said. “I'd like to believe that helped us, but we have to make it that way.”

Coach Robinson said he gave the team some time off and when they did practice many of the younger players on the roster were given more chances than usual to make impressions on the coaching staff.

“We did work some of the younger guys a little bit more, even some of the guys that are redshirting,” Greg Robinson said. “We got them involved, gave them an opportunity to show what they've got. We practiced on Sunday, and I thought there was a little bounce in our guys, so that's a good thing.

“We worked hard to make sure we got enough done, but at the same time where we feel good coming back. Time will tell what we accomplished.”

Notes: Syracuse's kickoff return team, with freshmen Max Suter (801 yards) and Mike Holmes (281) doing the bulk of the work, is ranked eighth in the country, averaging nearly 26 yards per return. The Orange are the only team in the nation with two players in the top 40. With four games to play, Syracuse already has a school-record 1,140 kickoff return yards.