Nationally Televised Football Home-Opener Only Days Away
8/28/2007 5:47:39 PM | Football
The nation will be watching Syracuse showcase its skills against Washington in the football season-opener on August 31. Tickets are available online or at the Carrier Dome Box Office (888-DOMETIX). Fans who purchase their tickets online can utlize the print-at-home option. The print-at-home tickets can be presented for admission at any Carrier Dome gate.
"I just think it's (the nationally-televised game) an opportunity for us," said head coach Greg Robinson. "I know when (Syracuse director of athletics) Dr.Gross made the decision to take this game and get Chancellor Cantor's okay on the whole thing – it's an opportunity for our University to gain the national exposure. So to me it’s a great opportunity for us to try and make a statement – not try, to make a statement.
"I've said that, too, with the same way about our community and we really have a chance to show America that the Dome is alive and well. It's an exciting thing for us and I'm glad we took this opportunity to be a part of it. I think it has helped us in our preparation all through training camp. It helped us even last spring when it was announced. It's exciting for our football team."
Leading the Orange at quarterback will be first-time starter Andrew Robinson. Coach Robinson has seen changes in the sophomore signal caller since he joined the program last Fall as a true freshman.
"He's been more assertive," Robinson said. "Last year he was in a learning mode and he was a developing person. Everybody watched his actions and was very impressed with the way he went about doing things. In the off-season conditioning program – it was his first off-season condition program, so it was the first for our team to see him. Nobody works harder than Andrew. I think anybody on our team will tell you that. There might be some who work as hard. In the spring he was more comfortable than what he was in the fall with the offense and this fall I think there has been more comfort. There began to be a real confidence that’s been developed through achieving and gaining the knowledge and gaining the physical skills he needs to do what he wants to do."
Senior defensive end Jameel McClain and junior wide receiver Taj Smith will represent the team as captains, a responsibility given to them by their teammates. Robinson anticipates McClain and Smith will continue doing what they have done from the start.
"I expect them to continue to do what they've done," Robinson said. "I'll say this: those two people are the classic examples of their actions do their talking. They are workers – they really are. This football team has definitely chosen two people who have made tremendous statements through their work ethic and that's a good thing."
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