#CuseCamp17: Fans Get First Look at 2017 Orange

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – It was all smiles on Saturday as Syracuse Athletics hosted the annual Preferred Mutual 'Cuse Fan Fest inside Manley Field House. It was the first opportunity for Orange Nation to engage with the 2017 Syracuse football team. Fans watched as the squad ran drills then joined in the fun by participating in a series of "Fans vs. Football" skills competitions.

"This community is special and Syracuse is special," said head coach Dino Babers. "When you talk about how close we are, we are a small city. Everybody knows everybody and I just think that it is really cool that the fans can reach out and touch these guys and take selfies with them and really know what they are all about."

FIELD-GOAL FUN
One lucky fan squared off with Cole Murphy in a best-of-three, field-goal competition. After a rocky start and some coaching from Syracuse punter Sterling Hofrichter, the lucky contestant knocked a chip shot through the uprights. Meanwhile, Murphy drilled all three of his kicks, connecting from 40, 50 and 57 yards, respectively.

SPEED RACERS
Three fans were selected from the audience to challenge offensive lineman Austin Chandler and defensive back Carl Jones in the 40-yard dash. Chandler came up just short against his two young competitors. Jones evened things up for the "Football" side with a late burst to zip past his opponent.

READY, AIM, FIRE
The final test of the afternoon came in the form of a passing accuracy challenge, pitting two fans from the stands against quarterbacks Eric Dungey and Zack Mahoney. Contestants received points for hitting trash cans set at certain distances. The point values increased the longer the pass. Mahoney posted a win for the "Football" side is his match, outscoring his opponent 250-80. Dungey's opponent recorded a solid showing with 160 points, but the junior signal caller from Lake Oswego, Ore. was locked in. Dungey drilled six 50-point passes to emerge victorious, while just missing a 100-point Hail Mary as the clock ran out.

Following the skills competitions, fans were invited onto the field for pictures with Babers and their favorite players.

Prior to the event, those in attendance observed a moment of silence for former head football coach Dick MacPherson. MacPherson passed away Tuesday at the age of 86. A memorial service celebrating his life was held yesterday at Syracuse University's Hendricks Chapel.

The 2017 Orange campaign begins in the Carrier Dome on Friday, Sept. 1 against Central Connecticut State. Season tickets, partial plans and group tickets are on sale now online (Cuse.com/tickets ), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B). Season tickets start at $125.

Single-game tickets for all home games are also on sale. Tickets start at $25 for non-conference games against Central Connecticut State, Middle Tennessee and Central Michigan, $30 for ACC matchups with Wake Forest and Boston College, $35 for the Oct. 7 Pittsburgh game on Orange Central Weekend, and $45 for the Clemson game on Oct. 13.

For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).

Syracuse University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Austin Chandler

Eric Dungey

Sterling Hofrichter

Carl Jones

Zack Mahoney

Cole Murphy

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