Photo by: Charles Wainwright
#CuseCamp16: Zack Mahoney Placed on Scholarship
8/23/2016 3:34:00 PM | Football
Orange signal caller started four games last season
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse junior quarterback Zack Mahoney has been awarded a scholarship for the 2016-17 academic year, Orange head coach Dino Babers announced on Tuesday, Aug. 23. Babers informed Mahoney of the decision and made the announcement to the team following practice yesterday.
"One of the things we've always looked at when awarding walk-ons scholarships is if they give our family an opportunity to win when they go into the game," Babers said. "The way Zack played last year, particularly the way he led this football team against LSU and Clemson, along with the way he's prepared so far this year with our staff, there's no doubt in my mind if there's anyone deserving of a scholarship it's Zack Mahoney."
Mahoney joined the Orange as a walk-on in January 2015 after spending his freshman season at the College of DuPage, a junior college located in Glen Ellyn, Ill. He began last season as Syracuse's fifth-string quarterback before working his way up the depth chart. Mahoney appeared in eight games with four starts, filling in for injured starter Eric Dungey, and threw for 535 yards and seven touchdowns. He also rushed for 151 yards and two scores.
Against No. 8 LSU, Mahoney earned his first starting assignment and became the first SU quarterback to throw three touchdown passes in one half against a top-10 team. He tossed three scores in the second half against the Tigers to keep the Orange within striking distance in a 34-24 loss.
In addition to his first-string nod against the Tigers, Mahoney started the last three games of the year versus Clemson, North Carolina State and Boston College. Against top-ranked Clemson, he rushed for 80 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-27 loss to the eventual national runners-up. Mahoney earned his first win as Syracuse's starter in the team's season-ending 20-17 triumph against Boston College.
"Coach Babers and this staff have truly given me an opportunity to show what I can do. I've developed a lot as a player and a person with this staff and I'm very grateful," Mahoney said. "I'm excited to keep helping this team."
Mahoney and his Orange teammates begin the 2016 campaign Friday, Sept. 2 at home against Colgate. Kickoff against the Raiders is set for 7 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
Season and individual game tickets for Orange football are on sale now online, by phone (888-DOMETIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B). Season tickets start at $99 ($16.50 per game) with lower-level seats in the end zones available for as little as $125. Single-game tickets start at $20 for non-conference games against Colgate and USF, $25 for the Louisville and NC State games, and $30 for the Virginia Tech and Florida State contests.
For complete coverage of Syracuse and Syracuse football, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange & Syracuse Football), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseFootball), Instagram (@Cusepics, @CuseFootball) and watch exclusive video content on Cuse TV.
"One of the things we've always looked at when awarding walk-ons scholarships is if they give our family an opportunity to win when they go into the game," Babers said. "The way Zack played last year, particularly the way he led this football team against LSU and Clemson, along with the way he's prepared so far this year with our staff, there's no doubt in my mind if there's anyone deserving of a scholarship it's Zack Mahoney."
Mahoney joined the Orange as a walk-on in January 2015 after spending his freshman season at the College of DuPage, a junior college located in Glen Ellyn, Ill. He began last season as Syracuse's fifth-string quarterback before working his way up the depth chart. Mahoney appeared in eight games with four starts, filling in for injured starter Eric Dungey, and threw for 535 yards and seven touchdowns. He also rushed for 151 yards and two scores.
Against No. 8 LSU, Mahoney earned his first starting assignment and became the first SU quarterback to throw three touchdown passes in one half against a top-10 team. He tossed three scores in the second half against the Tigers to keep the Orange within striking distance in a 34-24 loss.
In addition to his first-string nod against the Tigers, Mahoney started the last three games of the year versus Clemson, North Carolina State and Boston College. Against top-ranked Clemson, he rushed for 80 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-27 loss to the eventual national runners-up. Mahoney earned his first win as Syracuse's starter in the team's season-ending 20-17 triumph against Boston College.
"Coach Babers and this staff have truly given me an opportunity to show what I can do. I've developed a lot as a player and a person with this staff and I'm very grateful," Mahoney said. "I'm excited to keep helping this team."
Mahoney and his Orange teammates begin the 2016 campaign Friday, Sept. 2 at home against Colgate. Kickoff against the Raiders is set for 7 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
Season and individual game tickets for Orange football are on sale now online, by phone (888-DOMETIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B). Season tickets start at $99 ($16.50 per game) with lower-level seats in the end zones available for as little as $125. Single-game tickets start at $20 for non-conference games against Colgate and USF, $25 for the Louisville and NC State games, and $30 for the Virginia Tech and Florida State contests.
For complete coverage of Syracuse and Syracuse football, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange & Syracuse Football), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseFootball), Instagram (@Cusepics, @CuseFootball) and watch exclusive video content on Cuse TV.
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