Spring Practice Notebook: Week 1

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse football team wrapped up its first week of spring practice with a two-and-half-hour session yesterday morning inside the Ensley Athletic Center. The practice was the Orange's first in full pads.

Two of the three team periods were live with ball carriers being tackled to the ground. The other was a "thud" session.

Highlights of the team periods included a pair of long touchdown passes. Tommy DeVito connected with Michigan State import Trishton Jackson on one deep strike, while Rex Culpepper hooked up with Sharod Johnson for another long score. Abdul Adams added a rushing touchdown.

The team is off this upcoming week for Syracuse University's Spring Break, which runs from Sunday, March 11 to Sunday, March 18. Practice resumes Tuesday, March 20.

DUNGEY STANDS ALONE
Senior quarterback Eric Dungey has established himself as one of the most productive signal-callers in the nation. The Lake Oswego, Ore. native owns outright or shares 12 school records, including most 100-yard passing games (9), most total offense yards per game (296.6) and most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (20).

In 26 career games, he's passed for 6,472 yards and 40 touchdowns and rushed for 1,239 and 20 scores. Entering the 2018 season, Dungey is the only active FBS quarterback with 6,000+ passing yards and 1,000+ rushing yards. He is one of three with 5,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing.

Active FBS Quarterbacks with 5,000 PassingYards & 1,000 Rushing Yards
Eric Dungey, Syracuse (6,472 passing/1,239 rushing)
Daniel Jones, Duke (5,527 passing/1,004 rushing)
Riley Neal, Ball State (5,476 passing/1,006 rushing)

Dungy and Syracuse legend Donovan McNabb are the only Orange quarterbacks to throw for 6,000 yards and run for a 1,000.

PERSONNEL NOTES
Spring is the time for experimentation and several players are testing out new positions. The defensive backfield features a pair of converted running backs in Allen Stritzinger and Tyrone Perkins. Fullback Chris Elmore is trying his hand at nose tackle, while Antwan Cordy has moved from safety to inside receiver.

Cordy's transition is the most notable to those outside the program. A starting safety for three years, Cordy has played in just three games the past two seasons due to injury. When healthy, he is one of Syracuse's top playmakers. Head coach Dino Babers hopes the shift to offense limits the wear and tear on Cordy's body.

"He's explosive. He's quick. The last two years on defense he hasn't been able to finish the season," Babers said. "So we're trying to maybe move a position and see if we can keep him healthy, so we can have him in October and November."

Perkins, who previously played running back and receiver, has found a home at strong safety. The No. 3 cornerback in Michigan coming ouf of De La Salle High School, Stritzinger is working at field corner behind starter Scoop Bradshaw.

A fan favorite because of his bruising running style, Elmore is no stranger to the trenches. In high school, he set the Illinois state record with 44 sacks as a defensive lineman for Chicago's Phillips Academy.

PRO DAY APPROACHING
Before the 2018 edition of the Orange returns to action this spring, several members last year's squad will strut their stuff on the Ensley Athletic Center turf for NFL scouts. The program is set to hold its annual Pro Day Monday, March 19.

Expected participants include the top two pass-catchers in school history (Ervin Philips, Steve Ishmael), as well all-conference linebackers Zaire Franklin and Parris Bennett. The full list by position is below:

Linebackers (4): Parris Bennett, Zaire Franklin, Jonathan Thomas, Austin Valdez
Wide Receivers (2): Steve Ishmael, Ervin Philips
Defensive Backs (2): Devin M. Butler, Jordan Martin
Offensive Linemen (1): Jamar McGloster
Defensive Linemen (1): Donnie Simmons
Quarterbacks (1): Zack Mahoney
Specialists (1): Cole Murphy

TICKETS, TICKETS, TICKETS
Season tickets for 2018 Syracuse football are on sale now. Tickets start at $125 and can be purchased online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) or in person at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B).

This year's campaign begins Friday, Aug. 31 on the road against Western Michigan. The home opener is set for Sept. 8 against Wagner.

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

Syracuse University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Abdul Adams

Parris Bennett

Scoop Bradshaw

Devin M. Butler

Antwan Cordy

Rex Culpepper

Tommy DeVito

Eric Dungey

Chris Elmore

Zaire Franklin

Steve Ishmael

Trishton Jackson

Sharod Johnson

Zack Mahoney

Jordan Martin

Jamar McGloster

Cole Murphy

Tyrone Perkins

Ervin Philips

Donnie Simmons

Allen Stritzinger

Jonathan Thomas

Austin Valdez

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