Orange Rolls Rams In Opener

Friday, September 4

Syracuse, NY

7 pm

Syracuse University

1-0

Rhode Island

0-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Rhode Island

Syracuse

Photo by: Charles Wainwright

9/4/2015 10:01:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Syracuse cruises to 47-0 victory

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse football team dominated Rhode Island in its season opener on Friday, Sept. 4, beating the Rams by the final score of 47-0 at the Carrier Dome.

The 47-point win for Syracuse (1-0) marked its largest margin of victory in a season opener since 2000 when the Orange defeated Buffalo, 63-7. In addition, the shutout represented the first time SU held its opponent scoreless in a campaign starter since 1997 when it beat Wisconsin, 34-0, in the Kickoff Classic at Giants Stadium.

"It was a great victory for our kids and I was extremely pleased with the coaching job by our staff," Orange head coach Scott Shafer said. "I thought our kids played a disciplined football game and I was very impressed with the number of players that participated and had a lot of productivity."

One of those players was freshman quarterback Eric Dungey, who was pressed into service after senior quarterback Terrel Hunt exited with a lower-body injury in the first quarter. Dungey finished the contest 10-of-17 passing for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Both of Dungey's touchdown tosses went to sophomore hybrid back Ervin Philips. They were the only two catches of the game for Philips, who recorded a team-high 41 receiving yards.

The freshmen running back trio of Jordan Fredericks, Dontae Strickland and Jacob Hill combined for 220 yards on the ground and two touchdowns as the Orange racked up 312 yards rushing to four for Rhode Island (0-1). Fredericks led all ground gainers with 103 yards and a touchdown. Hill had 75 yards on 17 carries and Strickland totaled 42 yards on two carries, including a 21-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Fredericks and Strickland became the first Syracuse true freshman running backs to run for a touchdown in a season opener since Damien Rhodes did so in 2002 against BYU.

"I am really excited about the young kids," Shafer said. "A lot of the young kids that we recruited, that we felt were good football players, did a lot of good things."

The youthful Syracuse defense was equally impressive. The Orange tied the school record by allowing just two first downs in the contest. Overall, Syracuse limited the Rams to 64 total yards, the lowest total for an SU opponent since West Virginia managed just 61 yards of offense in 1967. Sophomore Zaire Franklin led the way with six total tackles, including 2.0 for a loss and a sack. The Orange also held a +3 turnover margin and forced four turnovers in the first half.

Three of the Orange's takeaways came in the opening 4:04 of the contest, including a 24-yard interception return by sophomore cornerback Corey Winfield to give the SU a 7-0 lead with 10:56 left in the opening stanza.

Syracuse added to its advantage late in the period, scoring its second touchdown on Dungey's first collegiate pass attempt. The freshman found Philips, who took it 32 yards into the end zone for his first career score and a 14-0 lead with 2:47 remaining in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, sophomore kicker Cole Murphy booted a 23-yard field goal at the 8:53 mark to push the lead to 17-0. On the ensuing Rhode Island drive, Luke Arciniega ripped the ball free from URI's Markey Clarke. Safety Antwan Cordy pounced on it to set up the Orange offense at the Rams' 9-yard line. Two plays later, Dungey connected with Philips for another score to make it 24-0 Syracuse with 7:56 left in the half.

With the Orange offense and defense both contributing points, the SU special teams got into the act on the final play of the second quarter. Junior Brisly Estime returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown with no time left on the clock to make the score 31-0. Estime's score was the first punt return TD for Syracuse since 2003 when Marcus Clayton took one to the end zone against West Virginia, and the 31 points marked the team's highest first-half scoring total since 2013 against Tulane (42).

Syracuse picked up where it left off in the second half as Fredericks scored his first collegiate touchdown from 13 yards out less than five minutes into the third quarter. Murphy added the extra point to extend the lead to 38-0.

A safety at the end of the third quarter and a 21-yard touchdown run by Strickland early in the fourth closed the scoring.

Rhode Island quarterback Paul Mroz was 10-of-20 passing for 60 yards with one interception. He also led the Rams with 14 yards rushing on four carries. Tez Wilson paced the Rams' defense with eight tackles. Adam Parker chipped in with six stops, including 3.0 for a loss.

Syracuse opens Atlantic Coast Conference play next Saturday Sept. 12 at 12:30 p.m. when it welcomes Wake Forest to the Carrier Dome. The game will air live on the ACC Network. Fans are encouraged to wear their orange as the game is being billed as an 'Orange Out.' In addition, Syracuse University will recognize legendary head coach Dick MacPherson and his family between the first and second quarters.

Tickets are available online, by phone (1-888-DOMETIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B). In addition, discounted group tickets (20 or more) for all home games can be purchased by calling 315-443-3212.

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