The Orange Take On the Fighting Illini
9/15/2007 8:40:03 AM | Football
The Orange football squad returns to the Carrier Dome for a matchup against Big Ten foe Illinois today for a noon game. Syracuse will try and have the same success as it did last year when it defeated the Fighting Illini 31-21 at Memorial Stadium.
Fans can purchase tickets at the Carrier Dome Box Office and online. Orange fanatics who purchase their tickets online can utilize the Print-at-Home ticket system and avoid waiting in line.
The game, which is the second nationally televised game in three weeks for the Orange, can be viewed on ESPNU. Fans can listen to the game by setting the radio dial to the flagship station for the Syracuse ISP Sports Network, TK-99.5 FM. The broadcast can also be heard on Orange All Access and on Sirus Satellite Radio. Live stats will be available on suathletics.com
Honorary Captain
Former Orange All-American Tim Green will represent the history and tradition of Syracuse University football by serving as the honorary captain. A success on and off the football field, Green enjoyed an eight-year career in the National Football League with the Atlanta Falcons, who selected him in the first round of the 1986 draft. A New York Times bestselling author, Green has written 12 novels and is also an accomplished lawyer and television analyst for the NFL on Fox. In 2006, Green was inducted into the CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame. Green will accompany captains Jameel McClain and Taj Smith for the coin toss.
Honoring Mackey at Halftime
Former Syracuse University and NFL great John Mackey, considered as the greatest tight end to ever play football, will have his jersey retired at halftime. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Mackey revolutionized the tight end position with his breakaway speed and ability to catch passes. During Mackey’s era tight ends were considered just another tackle on the line of scrimmage. A 1970 Super Bowl champion, Mackey is enshrined in the Professional Football Hall of Fame.
Mackey played for the Orange from 1960 through 1962. He had 27 receptions for 481 yards and scored six touchdowns. As a junior, he caught 15 passes for a then school-record 321 yards. He was a key contributor to Syracuse's 1961 Liberty Bowl triumph with four receptions against Miami.
The 2007 Zunic Award Winners
Zunic Award winners Chris Ingram, who will be honored posthumously, and Sylvia Mackey, the wife of Orange All-American John Mackey, will be honored for inspiring greatness and more. The Zunic Award recognizes friends of SU football who exhibit the courage and spirit of Mike and Judy Zunic and have overcome some of life’s tough plays.
Patriotic Day
As part of the Patriotic Day celebration, Air Force veteran and Oneida firefighter Mitch Dryer will be honored at halftime and 27th Brigade Combat Team Deputy Commander Col. Gary Yaple will be present for the coin toss as Syracuse University Athletics salutes American Services.
The Syracuse – Illinois Series
Last season's outing was the first game between the two schools since 1982. In a series that dates back to 1909, Illinois holds a 9-2 advantage. In 1977 Dave Jacobs kicked three field goals in SU's 30-20 victory. His 56-yarder in the third quarter was the second-longest ever kicked by an opponent at Memorial Stadium at the time. The Orange ended a three-game losing streak with the win last year. It was head coach Greg Robinson's first road victory and Taj Smith set a series record with 105 receiving yards.
Number One Schedule Strength in the Land
Syracuse's 2007 schedule is currently the most difficult of any FBS (formerly I-A) school in the nation, according to the NCAA's cumulative strength of schedule ratings.
Suter Leads BIG EAST Conference
True freshman Max Suter leads the BIG EAST and ranks 27th nationally with 27.4 yards per kick return average. He also ranks third among all freshmen and is the second-best true freshman kick returner in the FBS.
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