Photo by: Charles Wainwright
12/18/2013 2:52:00 PM | Football
In his first year as head coach, Scott Shafer led the Orange to its third bowl game in four years, helping the Syracuse program continue to grow. SU takes on Minnesota in the Texas Bowl on Dec. 27 at 5 p.m. at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.
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There are many advantages to an expanded season but Shafer ranks the extra practice time at the top of the list. The team is able to prepare without the added work of classes and it gives the team a chance to get all players involved in practice.
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"We get extra practice time that can be devoted to some of the younger kids that don't get a lot of reps other than on the scout team, Shafer said. "It's practice time for kids that don't get to run the offense during the season a whole lot and a chance to get evaluations on those guys. It's like an extra spring practice to some degree."
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The Texas Bowl will be aired nationally on ESPN and the added exposure will also be a big benefit to the university as the team gains its footing in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
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"Having people talk about Syracuse during December and the holidays is advantageous to our recruiting front," Shafer said. "The chance to be on national TV and play two days after Christmas, all those recruits that we have been working hard to get here to Syracuse will get a chance to watch our product on TV."
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Aside from all of these benefits, there is nothing more important than having hard work pay off. This year's squad, which had many new faces play large rolls throughout the season, will get to cap its first season in the ACC with a hard-earned bowl game.
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"I'm proud of the kids, that they have worked hard and given themselves this opportunity," Shafer said. "I'm also disappointed because I thought we could have come up with eight victories this year. We were a touchdown short between Penn State and Pitt, the two Pennsylvania teams I thought we should have got. I'm proud of the kids, I'm happy for them. I really enjoyed this group's resilience."
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The team travels to Houston on Dec. 23. Tickets and travel packages for the 2013 Texas Bowl are available at SUAthletics.com/bowlcentral.
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There are many advantages to an expanded season but Shafer ranks the extra practice time at the top of the list. The team is able to prepare without the added work of classes and it gives the team a chance to get all players involved in practice.
Â
"We get extra practice time that can be devoted to some of the younger kids that don't get a lot of reps other than on the scout team, Shafer said. "It's practice time for kids that don't get to run the offense during the season a whole lot and a chance to get evaluations on those guys. It's like an extra spring practice to some degree."
Â
The Texas Bowl will be aired nationally on ESPN and the added exposure will also be a big benefit to the university as the team gains its footing in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Â
"Having people talk about Syracuse during December and the holidays is advantageous to our recruiting front," Shafer said. "The chance to be on national TV and play two days after Christmas, all those recruits that we have been working hard to get here to Syracuse will get a chance to watch our product on TV."
Â
Aside from all of these benefits, there is nothing more important than having hard work pay off. This year's squad, which had many new faces play large rolls throughout the season, will get to cap its first season in the ACC with a hard-earned bowl game.
Â
"I'm proud of the kids, that they have worked hard and given themselves this opportunity," Shafer said. "I'm also disappointed because I thought we could have come up with eight victories this year. We were a touchdown short between Penn State and Pitt, the two Pennsylvania teams I thought we should have got. I'm proud of the kids, I'm happy for them. I really enjoyed this group's resilience."
Â
The team travels to Houston on Dec. 23. Tickets and travel packages for the 2013 Texas Bowl are available at SUAthletics.com/bowlcentral.
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