SYRACUSE - It was a bittersweet day for Nick Lepak.

In just his second game with the Syracuse football team, the Auburn native was named a starter and was on the field for all 46 offensive plays against Akron.

But the tale didn't end in story-book fashion.

The Orange defense was a no-show in Saturday's humbling 42-28 loss at the Carrier Dome.

After the game, Lepak's disappointment overshadowed his thrill of personal achievement. “We put in a lot of work this week and to get this outcome, naturally I'm frustrated,” said Lepak, who started at offensive guard in place of injured sophomore Ryan Bartholomew.

Despite the final score, the Syracuse offense pieced together impressive stats. Behind the offensive line, senior tailback Curtis Brinkley rushed for a career high 143 yards while sophomore Delone Carter added another 77 on the ground.

In fact, the Syracuse offense piled up 353 yards against the Zips, a far cry from the 225 yards it accrued last week against Northwestern.

But a porous Orange defense diluted any positive momentum gained by the offense.

“I just told the team, that was an outstanding effort by the offense,” Syracuse head coach Greg Robinson said. “For four quarters, that was as good as an effort as I've seen in my four years.”

Lepak admitted to being nervous before the game. Having attended Syracuse football games since he was young, the excitement of taking the field, not only for the first time but as a starter, had the 6-4, 318-pound lineman fighting off the internal butterflies.

“I'd be lying if I said I was fine,” Lepak said. “It's nerve-racking. But after the first snap, it became just a football game. It became fun. I grew up playing football so it's something I'm comfortable doing. It's just at a different level now.”

Orange captain Tony Fiammetta approached Lepak just prior to Syracuse's first offensive possession and had some words of encouragement for the freshman.

“He told me it's for real this time,” Lepak said. “It's a great feeling being in the Carrier Dome - he just reminded me to fight off those nerves and everything will work out OK.”

Lepak practiced with the first-team offense this week after learning on Tuesday that he was starting. During his week of practice and his time on the field Saturday, Lepak learned a few things about certain teammates.

“Curtis (Brinkley) is unbelievable,” Lepak said. “It's a privilege to block for a great player like him. I'm in awe of him, he's a very gung-ho guy when he's on the field.”

And as for personal grades, Lepak wasn't ready to dish those out just yet. He was pleased with his performance, but true to form, Lepak believes he has a lot to improve upon.

“I played pretty good but a lot of work needs to be done,” he said. “Whether it's getting out in front of a linebacker so the running back can cut - those kinds of things. There's a lot I can work on.”