Second Down and Two Weeks To Go

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The Orange football team hit the mid-way point of training camp Friday. With two weeks completed, the team is only two weeks away from the season-opener against Washington Friday, August 31 (8p.m., ESPN). Click here to buy tickets or call the Carrier Dome Box Office (1-888-DOMETIX).

"We're getting right down to it and it's getting down to crunch time," said head coach Greg Robinson. "I think the players are feeling that. There are a lot of young players trying to make their mark and there are a lot of older players just trying to get better. I think there is a sense of urgency as we continue to get closer and closer and that's a good thing."

Robinson said he knows his team is getting revved up for the season-opener.

"I'm getting excited because I can see the team is working," the third-year Orange mentor said. "They are giving themselves a chance. There are no guarantees and they all know that. But if everyday you give yourself a chance to get better, good things are in store."

Junior linebacker Vincenzo Giruzzi and senior center Marvin McCall appreciate the hard work their teammates are putting in and see the payoff.

"Right now the offense, defense and special teams are getting better and better everyday," Giruzzi said. "We're working harder and harder. Right now we are basically at the grid point, where you just have to keep grinding. Your legs are gone, but you have to take care of your body as good as you can when you're off the field. When you're on the field you just have to push through. Everyday we're just working on techniques and fundamentals and getting better."

"Everything is going well, especially the offensive line," McCall said. "The offensive line is really clicking right now. We're doing a good job blocking the defense, the running backs are running hard and the quarterbacks are doing what they have to do to make the tough passes and the receivers are catching the ball. I think we're doing real well right now."

With each day the anticipation builds and for a lot of the Orange student-athletes August 31st has been on their minds since the 2006 season ended

"I'm very excited," senior offensive tackle Larry Norton said. "It has been a countdown since January, now it's only two weeks away I can't wait. August 31st has been circled for awhile now. Time is ticking down and I am ready to go."

The Orange will practice twice on Saturday before a day of rest on Sunday.

Syracuse University Athletics

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