Diabate, Nassib, Pugh and Thomas Named Captains - Syracuse University Athletics

Head coach Doug Marrone announced the 2012 football captains today. Quarterback Ryan Nassib, offensive tackle Justin Pugh, linebacker Siriki Diabate and safety Shamarko Thomas were voted the captains for the Orange. Marrone sat down with Orange All-Access to make the announcement and to preview the upcoming game against Louisville. Watch the interview here.

"I know at the end of the day, the best four players have done the best job and have been voted," Marrone said. "I am excited about them. They will be able to step out on the field and go out there as the true captains of this football team."

Marrone decided to have the vote for captains prior to the last home game.

"I was really trying to get the best of everything and taking that pressure of being the captain during the year and having multiple people work on leadership and helping this team," Marrone said. "At the end of the year, let's vote and see who's gone through the adversity and the tough times that what you go through during the season where you truly have to be a leader. The freshman coming in would have better information. I think that's one thing that would have skewed the voting in the past."

The Orange host No. 10/11 Louisville on Saturday. The Cardinals are undefeated, 9-0 and 4-0 in the BIG EAST. The game takes place during SU's Orange Central Homecoming weekend.

"Now that everything is official, the challenge is to lead this team the next three games," Marrone said. "Don't look at game two or three, but concentrate on what we have to do to beat Louisville."

It will also serve as Senior Day. Prior to the game, the 18 seniors that are a part of the Syracuse football team will be honored. The class features four seniors who have etched their names on multiple Syracuse record lists, including quarterback Ryan Nassib, receivers Marcus Sales and Alec Lemon and strong safety Shamarko Thomas, in addition to offensive tackle Lou Alexander, linebacker Dom Anene, offensive guard Zack Chibane, tight end Carl Cutler, linebacker Siriki Diabate, defensive tackle Deon Goggins, free safety James Jarrett, kicker Ryan Lichtenstein, defensive end Brandon Sharpe, tight end David Stevens and linebacker Dan Vaughan. Senior managers Josh Evans, Darius Rose and Aaron Rudy will also be honored.

"These kids are good kids," Marrone said. "They are going to be very successful. I am very proud of them. I know what they've gone through here as a student-athlete and what they've done for the community. They've done a lot of community work. A lot of them have had some individual success. Obviously, we are disappointed in the past as far as the team's success and this year we still have the opportunity. We have to go out there and send them out on the right track."

Tickets for Syracuse's Homecoming game are available online, in person at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B), or by calling 1-888-DOMETIX.

The Syracuse Football Club will present the Zunic Award to former football student-athlete Tim Byrne, who tragically passed away in the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

In an effort to say 'Thank You' to our soldiers and their families, Syracuse University Athletics is partnering with Orange football fans to 'Salute A Soldier.' For every ticket purchased between now and Nov. 9, the athletics department will donate a ticket to soldiers and their families to attend the game. The tickets will be distributed to Fort Drum, the 174th Fighter Wing and other local military units.

All fans are invited to honor their Hometown Hero by submitting a nomination online. It will also be Dome Donation Day on Saturday. For more information on how to aid the community, click here.

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