Photo by: Charles Wainwright
Orange Extra: Salute to Service
11/8/2017 11:15:00 AM | Football
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – This Saturday's game against ACC rival Wake Forest falls on Veteran's Day. As such, it's a time to recognize those who have sacrificed in defense of our freedom. Several military-themed presentations are planned throughout the day. There are also a number of ties between the armed forced and the Syracuse football program that will be highlighted.
On the field before the game, there will be ceremony where those who have committed to serve in a branch of the military will take the oath of enlistment. In addition, Syracuse will take the field carrying the flag of the 10th Mountain Division stationed at Fort Drum. Two 10th Mountain Division officers – Maj. General Walter E. Piatt and CSM Samuel J. Roark – will serve as honorary game captains.
At the end of the first quarter, Mike Chemotti, one of the oldest living Syracuse University veterans will be honored as this week's "Hometown Hero." A Â native of nearby Solvay, N.Y. and walk-on football player for Syracuse in 1936, Chemotti is 103 years old. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.Â
In what's sure to be a special moment, junior wide receiver Ben Brickman will join Chemotti for the presentation. Like Chemotti, the 26-year-old Brickman is a walk-on who has served his country. Upon graduating high school, Brickman spent four years in the Marines and completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan. He joined the Orange football team during 2017 spring practice after playing at Hudson Valley Community College near his home.
Brickman isn't the only current member of the Syracuse program to have served. Tight ends coach Reno Ferri graduated from West Point in 2000. Commissioned as a first lieutenant, Ferri was a fire direction officer and battalion survey officer in the U.S. Army from 2000-02.
Ferri's boss, Orange head coach Dino Babers, is no stranger to the military. Babers' father, Luther, spent two decades in the Navy. Luther Babers was deployed on the USS Enterprise, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, and is buried at Houston National Cemetery.
THIRD-DOWN EFFICIENCY A DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHT
The Orange defense leads the FBS in third-down conversion percentage defense. Syracuse has held its opponents to a .220 rate, based on 26 conversions in 118 attempts. The team bolstered its numbers by limiting Florida State to 1-of-13 on third down last Saturday. So far this season, only LSU (7) has successfully converted more than three third downs against the Orange.
CATCHING SOMETHING BETTER THAN A COLD
The change in weather can sometimes coincide with an increase in the coughs and sniffles around us. Something much better than catching a cold is securing passes the way Steve Ishmael and Ervin Philips have for the Orange this fall.
Ishmael is second (8.7) and Philips third (8.1) in receptions per game among FBS performers. The dynamic duo each hauled in 12 passes and topped the 100-yard mark at Florida State last weekend.
Ishmael is averaging 109.6 receiving yards per game, a mark which puts him fourth nationally. Philips is 35th with 81.4 an outing. Four FBSI receivers – James Washington (Oklahoma State), Michael Gallup (Colorado State), Keke Coutee (Texas Tech) and Anthony Johnson (Buffalo) have exceeded 1,000 receiving yards. Ishmael is close behind with 986 to his credit.
Ishmael and Philips are the top active duo in the FBS with 399 career catches between them.
BABERS FOLLOWING CLAWSON
Syracuse head coach Dino Babers and Wake Forest mentor Dave Clawson have not necessarily crossed paths in coaching, but they have taken some of the same paths. Specifically, both Babers and Clawson served terms as head coaches at Bowling Green.
Clawson guided the Falcons from 2009-13 and led them to a 32-31 record. Clawson was then appointed at Wake Forest. Babers was named his replacement, and in two seasons, guided the Falcons to two consecutive Mid-American Conference (MAC) East titles and the 2015 MAC crown.
NO PLACE LIKE DOME
Syracuse has forged a 4-1 record at home this season. The Dome-field advantage takes on added significance Saturday – the Orange own a 3-0 record against Wake Forest in the Dome and Syracuse needs two victories to become bowl eligible.
The Orange has averaged 33.6 points per game in the Dome while that number slips to 23.5 in road games.
The next and final Orange home game is Saturday, Nov. 25, against Boston College. Tickets to watch the Orange and Eagles are $30 and available online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B).Â
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For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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On the field before the game, there will be ceremony where those who have committed to serve in a branch of the military will take the oath of enlistment. In addition, Syracuse will take the field carrying the flag of the 10th Mountain Division stationed at Fort Drum. Two 10th Mountain Division officers – Maj. General Walter E. Piatt and CSM Samuel J. Roark – will serve as honorary game captains.
At the end of the first quarter, Mike Chemotti, one of the oldest living Syracuse University veterans will be honored as this week's "Hometown Hero." A Â native of nearby Solvay, N.Y. and walk-on football player for Syracuse in 1936, Chemotti is 103 years old. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.Â
In what's sure to be a special moment, junior wide receiver Ben Brickman will join Chemotti for the presentation. Like Chemotti, the 26-year-old Brickman is a walk-on who has served his country. Upon graduating high school, Brickman spent four years in the Marines and completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan. He joined the Orange football team during 2017 spring practice after playing at Hudson Valley Community College near his home.
Brickman isn't the only current member of the Syracuse program to have served. Tight ends coach Reno Ferri graduated from West Point in 2000. Commissioned as a first lieutenant, Ferri was a fire direction officer and battalion survey officer in the U.S. Army from 2000-02.
Ferri's boss, Orange head coach Dino Babers, is no stranger to the military. Babers' father, Luther, spent two decades in the Navy. Luther Babers was deployed on the USS Enterprise, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, and is buried at Houston National Cemetery.
THIRD-DOWN EFFICIENCY A DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHT
The Orange defense leads the FBS in third-down conversion percentage defense. Syracuse has held its opponents to a .220 rate, based on 26 conversions in 118 attempts. The team bolstered its numbers by limiting Florida State to 1-of-13 on third down last Saturday. So far this season, only LSU (7) has successfully converted more than three third downs against the Orange.
CATCHING SOMETHING BETTER THAN A COLD
The change in weather can sometimes coincide with an increase in the coughs and sniffles around us. Something much better than catching a cold is securing passes the way Steve Ishmael and Ervin Philips have for the Orange this fall.
Ishmael is second (8.7) and Philips third (8.1) in receptions per game among FBS performers. The dynamic duo each hauled in 12 passes and topped the 100-yard mark at Florida State last weekend.
Ishmael is averaging 109.6 receiving yards per game, a mark which puts him fourth nationally. Philips is 35th with 81.4 an outing. Four FBSI receivers – James Washington (Oklahoma State), Michael Gallup (Colorado State), Keke Coutee (Texas Tech) and Anthony Johnson (Buffalo) have exceeded 1,000 receiving yards. Ishmael is close behind with 986 to his credit.
Ishmael and Philips are the top active duo in the FBS with 399 career catches between them.
BABERS FOLLOWING CLAWSON
Syracuse head coach Dino Babers and Wake Forest mentor Dave Clawson have not necessarily crossed paths in coaching, but they have taken some of the same paths. Specifically, both Babers and Clawson served terms as head coaches at Bowling Green.
Clawson guided the Falcons from 2009-13 and led them to a 32-31 record. Clawson was then appointed at Wake Forest. Babers was named his replacement, and in two seasons, guided the Falcons to two consecutive Mid-American Conference (MAC) East titles and the 2015 MAC crown.
NO PLACE LIKE DOME
Syracuse has forged a 4-1 record at home this season. The Dome-field advantage takes on added significance Saturday – the Orange own a 3-0 record against Wake Forest in the Dome and Syracuse needs two victories to become bowl eligible.
The Orange has averaged 33.6 points per game in the Dome while that number slips to 23.5 in road games.
The next and final Orange home game is Saturday, Nov. 25, against Boston College. Tickets to watch the Orange and Eagles are $30 and available online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B).Â
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For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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