SU Practices, Welcomes Back Rob Long

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E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The Orange took to the practice field today for the first time since arriving in New York City for the inaugural New Era Pinstripe Bowl which will take place on Thursday, Dec. 30 (ESPN, 3:20 p.m.) at Yankee Stadium.

The winter storm that hit the region forced the cancellation of this morning's bowl events. However, Syracuse arrived on time for its scheduled afternoon practice at the Timex Performance Center, the New York Giants state-of-the-art indoor practice facility. The Orange worked out for approximately two hours before boarding a bus for Yankee Stadium where it enjoyed a dinner with its Pinstripe Bowl opponent, Kansas State, and toured the New York Yankees locker room, which will serve as its dressing quarters for Thursday's game.

Some Orange players have yet to arrive in New York City because of the storm, but head coach Doug Marrone said the Orange will persevere through the setback.

“It's a challenge, Marrone said of not having the entire squad in town yet. “You rely on making sure you've done a good job before you come to the bowl site. I think that's the case of every team in the country, but I can only speak for ourselves. We're going to bring the players in and might have an extra half-hour meeting and then we'll get the whole team in here just to make sure we go over everything.

“But again I'm not going to sit here and create excuses for why we're not going to be able to perform well. We're looking forward to going out and performing well, going out and executing, and winning the football game.”

The Orange was buoyed Monday by the arrival in New York City of senior captain Rob Long, who recently underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor. Malignant cells were found in the mass that was removed and Long is scheduled to undergo further treatment after the first of the year. Marrone said the entire Orange team is behind Long and will continue to support him.

“We are a team. We are a family. And we support Rob and his family all the way,” Marrone said. “We're getting ready for another game after this and it's the game for Rob, which we feel a whole lot more comfortable about winning than going out and playing a very good Kansas State team.”

Long, fellow captains Ryan Bartholomew, Derrell Smith and Marrone are scheduled to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange Tuesday morning at 9:30.

Tickets for the New Era Pinstripe Bowl are available online. A variety of attractive fan packages are available. Packages include various combinations of tickets, travel options, hotel accommodations and access to pre-game activities. To purchase any tickets in sections with Syracuse fans and book travel packages, click here or call 866-832-6746.

All Orange football fans are invited to the 'Bowl Before the Bowl' celebration, Syracuse's official pre-bowl party in New York City. A limited number of tickets are available for the event to be held at Bowlmor Lanes in Times Square on Wednesday, Dec. 29 from 6 to 10 pm. Tickets, which cost $42 per person, include admission, free bowling, appetizers and one drink ticket, and are available through the Syracuse University Lubin House (212-710-5583 or via email sulubin@syr.edu). All fans 21-and older are invited to the event.

For more details, visit SU Athletics Bowl Central.

Follow the Orange football happenings in New York City all week at SUathletics.com. Check back regularly for updates, exclusive photo galleries, and interviews leading up to Thursday's bowl game.

Syracuse University Athletics

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