Syracuse University
Akron
Orange Opens Season at Akron
9/2/2010 5:25:45 PM | Football
Orange All Access | Read Game Notes
AKRON, Ohio - Syracuse kicks off the 2010 season at Akron on Saturday, September 4 at 6 p.m. on ESPN3. It marks the third all-time meeting between the two teams in a series that began in 2008. The game will be televised live on Time Warner Cable Sports. Fans can also listen to the game on Syracuse ISP Sports Network (TK-99.5 FM in Syracuse), Orange All Access. For game highlights, head coach Doug Marrone's postgame press conference and student-athlete interviews sign on to Orange All Access following the game.
Time Warner
Time Warner Cable, in cooperation with ESPN, will televise the game across Upstate New York on its Time Warner Cable Sports channels (Time Warner Cable Sports in Central New York (check local listings) and Albany (channel 3), and on overflow channels in both Buffalo (channel 87) and Rochester (channel 98).)
The game had been originally announced for coverage only on ESPN3, the network's online channel. While Time Warner Cable customers will soon have access to that platform as the result of the just-concluded agreement, it was not possible to offer online access in time for tomorrow's kick-off.
Syracuse-Akron Series
The Orange evened the all-time series, 1-1, with a 28-14 victory in the Carrier Dome in 2009 during head coach Doug Marrone's first season. In Syracuse's 2009 victory, running back Delone Carter rushed for a career-best 170 yards on 30 carries and three touchdowns. Linebacker Derrell Smith also set a career-high with nine solo tackles, including two sacks and one tackle for loss, and forced a fumble. The Orange defense dominated in the second half, holding Akron to 50 yards. The Zips were held to zero yards rushing in the contest, the fewest rushing yards allowed by Syracuse since Florida rushed for -17 in 1991. Syracuse is 46-36-1 all time against the current teams in the Mid-American Conference.
Orange Outlook
The Orange offense will have a new look with nine student-athletes listing as first-time starters on the depth chart. Wide receiver Van Chew is listed as one of the starting wide outs while fullback Adam Harris is slated to make his collegiate debut. Sophomore Zack Chibane will start at left guard after winning the starting role during pre-season camp while Andrew Tiller is listed as the starting right guard and newcomer Michael Hay will start at right tackle. Hofstra transfer Jose Cruz is the starting tight end while wide receiver Alec Lemon and quarterback Ryan Nassib will transition into starting roles after gaining game experience last season.
The Orange defense features 12 returning starters, including five who have started for multiple seasons, including Derrell Smith and Ryan Gillum, and defensive backs Da'Mon Merkerson, Max Suter, Mike Holmes and Kevyn Scott (287 tackles). Those who started in 2009 include defensive end Mikhail Marinovich, Andrew Lewis, Chandler Jones, Doug Hogue, Shamarko Thomas and Phillip Thomas. This group accounted for 73 percent of Syracuse's 2009 tackles (517 of 704 tackles).
Freshman linebacker Marquis Spruill will make his collegiate debut as the starter at sam linebacker while senior Bud Tribbey moves into a starting role at nose tackle in place of graduated senior Arthur Jones.
National Attention for the Orange
Senior center Ryan Bartholomew, senior linebackers Doug Hogue and Derrell Smith and senior punter Rob Long are all listed on pre-season 'Watch Lists' for national awards. Bartholomew is a candidate for the Rimington Award, presented annually to the nation's top punter, while Hogue is up for the Dick Butkus Award for the nation's top linebacker. Long is a third-time candidate for the Ray Guy Award, presented to the nation's top punter while Smith is up for four national awards, the Rotary Lombardi Award, the Chuck Bednarik Award for the nation's top defensive player, the Dick Butkus Award and the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, presented to a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) senior who excels both on and off the field.
Seasoned Ground Game
The tandem of redshirt senior Delone Carter and junior Antwon Bailey provides the Orange with an experienced ground game. Carter averaged 85.1 yards per game (236 carries for 1,021 yards and 11 touchdowns). Bailey gained 28.4 yards per game (67 carries for 312 yards and one touchdown). They also provide a threat in the passing game, Bailey caught 27 passes for 200 yards and Carter had 11 receptions for 117 yards and one touchdown.
A Homecoming
Carter and freshman running back Prince-Tyson Gulley return home in the Orange's season opener at Akron. Gulley is from Akron, attending high school about five minutes from the University of Akron campus, while Carter's hometown of Copley is 15 minutes outside Akron.
Orange in Season Openers
Syracuse is 76-40-4 all-time in season openers, including a record of 65-17-4 at home in those openers and 10-22 on the road. From 1900-42, the Orange posted a record of 41-0-2 in season openers, all of which were home games. SU opened the season at home every year from 1900-55. During the 55 straight home openers the team went 48-5-2. No season opener was played in 1943 as the season was suspended due to World War II.
