Syracuse University
Maine
Orange Opens at Home Saturday
9/17/2010 5:37:12 PM | Football
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Syracuse vs. Maine Game Notes
Syracuse vs. Maine Depth Chart
Syracuse (1-1) hosts Maine (1-1) in its home opener on Saturday, September 18 at 7:15 p.m. The weekend marks the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Carrier Dome. Fans are invited to gear up for the game in the Family Fun Zone on the quad beginning at 4 p.m.
Family Fun Zone
Located on the quad adjacent to the Carrier Dome, the Family Fun Zone features the Syracuse marching band, cheerleaders, dance team and Otto the Orange. There will be jumpies and face painting for children, food available for purchase and a live performance by “The Meatballs” as well as the pre-game radio broadcast. Hall of Famer Floyd Little will also be greeting fans and signing autographs on the quad at 6 p.m.
Game Day Festivities
Fans will be treated to a pregame performance by the CNY Pop Warner Cheerleaders and the BIG EAST Champion Orange softball squad will be honored between the first and second quarters. Syracuse will also honor its most recent Pro Football Hall of Famer, Floyd Little, in a halftime ceremony.
Parking
Pay parking for the SU Football game will be at the Skytop Lot ($ 10.00 per car). Please note all campus and West Campus Lots near the dome are reserved for permit holders only.
Dome Openers
Syracuse is 14-16 record in home openers since the Dome opened in 1980. The Orange won seven Dome openers in a row from 1987 through 1993. Since overtime was instituted in college football in 1997, three Dome openers have been in extra periods, including 1997 (32-31 loss to North Carolina State), 2006 (20-13 loss to Iowa) and 2009 (23-20 loss to Minnesota). In Carrier Dome openers, SU averages 24.4 points compared to opponents' 20.1.
Home Openers
SU is 83-31-4 all-time in home openers. SU's longest unbeaten streak in home openers is 49 games from 1894-1942 (47-0-2), including a string of 43 consecutive victories in home openers from 1900-42 (41-0-2). SU opened at home every year from 1900-55 and had 48-5-2 record in those games (except 1943 when the season was suspended due to war).
Carter Climbs SU Career Rushing Record List
Senior running back Delone Carter gained 91 yards on 18 carries at Washington, increasing his career rushing total to 2,053 yards (in 31 games). He is the 19th Syracuse student-athlete to rush for more than 2,000 yards. He ranks 18th on the Orange career rushing record list. He has scored 16 rushing touchdowns in his career and finished 2009 ranked 43rd in the nation and fourth in the BIG EAST with a 85.1 rushing average.
Syracuse-Maine Series
In the only meeting in the series, Syracuse beat Maine, 41-24, last year in the Carrier Dome. Carter led all rushers with 72 yards on 19 carries and scored three touchdowns while senior linebacker Derrell Smith was the game's leading tackler with 10 steps, including eight solo.
Syracuse is 13-1 all-time against Colonial Athletic Association teams.
Multiple Targets for Nassib
Junior quarterback Ryan Nassib has connected with eight different receivers in SU's first two games in 2010. Junior Van Chew is the leading receiver (9 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown), while sophomore Alec Lemon has seven receptions for 83 yards.
Orange Stops the Run
Second-year defensive coordinator Scott Shafer has the Orange defense standing strong against the run game. In the last 14 contests the Orange defense has allowed just three opposing rushers to gain more than 100 yards while holding opposing teams to less than 100 yards rushing per game in seven of its last 13 contests. In 2006, SU held six opponents to less than 100 yards rushing, marking the best effort since 2003.
