'Orange Out' and Pitt on the Horizon
10/11/2010 3:29:13 PM | Football
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Coming off a its 13-9 win against USF in its BIG EAST opener, Syracuse (4-1, 1-0) turns its attention to the Pittsburgh and Orange Central Weekend. The Orange hosts the Panthers (2-3, 0-0) on Saturday, October 15 at 12:00 p.m. in the Carrier Dome. All fans are invited to join the 'Orange Out Weekend' by wearing orange gear throughout Orange Central weekend, which features Homecoming and reunion activities.
A relentless SU defense held South Florida to 219 yards total offense, recorded a pair of interceptions, four sacks and a blocked extra point attempt.
“On that day our guys played well and executed well,” head coach Doug Marrone said of the defense. “There isn't a magic formula because if there is, we will be looking for it every week. It's just a matter in this game; if you aren't ready to play every Saturday you are going to get beat. That happens across the country. There are a million things that go on. We have to make sure we prepare as a football team that we are ready to go every Saturday knowing that it could very easily happen to us.”
The Pittsburgh series is the third-longest series in the 120-year history of the SU football program, dating back to 1916. Entering Saturday's game, the Panthers hold a 32-30-3 edge in the all-time series, though the Orange has a 12-7 edge since the formation of the BIG EAST Conference in 1991. SU earned its last series victory in a 38-31 double-overtime win in the Carrier Dome in 2004.
Entering Saturday's game, the Panthers offense is averaging 358.8 yards and 25.2 yards per game while the defense has allowed an average of 339.2 yards and 22.8 points per game. Pittsburgh was picked as the preseason favorite to capture the BIG EAST title.
“My impression about Pittsburgh is that they are a physical team and have been picked to win the conference,” Marrone said. “I know that we will get their best game, so we have to bet ready to go to be competitive with them.”
All fans are invited to the 12th Man Rally – Syracuse Businesses Back the Orange, hosted by TK99's Gomez and Dave and featuring Hall of Fame Coach Dick MacPherson, Orange All-American tight end Chris Gedney and Voice of the Orange Matt Park, at Noon on Walton Street in Armory Square.
Additionally, fans are encourage to participate in the United Way Orange Football Friday Challenge. Area businesses are encourage to submit a photo of their team sporting their Orange to the United Way for a chance to win a block of tickets and Skytop parking passes for SU's game against Louisville on November 6, in addition to a football autographed by SU head coach Doug Marrone.The competition is a partnership with the Syracuse Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the Centerstate Corporation for Economic Opportunity, the Armory Square Association, the Greater Syracuse Hospitality and Tourism Association, the United Way and Galaxy Communications that is encouraging the local community to wear their Orange to work on Friday.
All Syracuse fans are invited to join the 'Orange Out Weekend' to support the team as it hosts Pittsburgh by wearing their orange gear throughout Orange Central weekend. Tickets are available online, at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B) and by phone (888-DOMETIX). The 12th Man Ticket Package features 12 tickets, four Skytop parking passes, Block 'S' stickers for business locations and a football autographed by head coach Doug Marrone. The Tops $44 Family Package includes two adult and two youth tickets, two 'Cuse Kids Club memberships, a seat cushion, a coupon for a Pepsi 12-pack and a Tops Friendly Market sub coupon.
