Alec Lemon, Jay Bromley, Shamarko Thomas, Doug Marrone , Zack Chibane and Justin Pugh at BIG EAST Media Day.
SU Prepares for 2012 Season
7/31/2012 12:00:00 AM | Football
NEWPORT, R.I.- BIG EAST Media Day kicked off the 2012 football season today. Head coach Doug Marrone addressed the media in Newport, R.I. this morning along with Orange student-athletes Jay Bromley, Zack Chibane, Alec Lemon, Justin Pugh and Shamarko Thomas.
"Some people call this one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country," commented head coach Doug Marrone. "We understand those challenges. We are excited about them. It creates a great opportunity for us at Syracuse University. We are happy to get better and we are looking forward to doing it."
Syracuse reports for preseason camp on Saturday, Aug. 4th, with practice beginning on Monday, Aug. 6th. The Orange will return 42 letterwinners, including 12 starters, this season. Leading the offensive attack this year is three-year veteran quarterback, Ryan Nassib. Along with Nassib returns an experienced offensive line with offensive guard Zack Chibane, center Macky MacPherson, and offensive tackle, Justin Pugh. Wide receiver Alec Lemon rounds out the five offensive returners.
A talented defense returns as well with seven starters from the 2011 season that includes defensive tackle Jay Bromley, linebacker Dyshawn Davis, defensive tackle Deon Goggins, cornerback Keon Lyn, linebacker Marquis Spruill, safety Shamarko Thomas and linebacker Dan Vaughan.
Kicker Ross Krautman is back after another standout season along with punter Jonathan Fisher.
"We start up on Saturday when our players report and the first week will be challenging because some of our players are still in summer school," said Marrone. "The second week, we will transition to our partnership with Fort Drum, the military base in Watertown. We are looking forward to that. It's one of the first times we have taken our team off campus during preseason camp."
When SU holds practice at Fort Drum for a week, student-athletes and coaches will also participate in various military activities such as Army Physical Training and small unit leadership seminars. The week at Fort Drum ends with a scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 18th that will be played before the 10th Mountain Division Soldiers and their Families.
"We all in this room have a great deal of respect for what the military does. We are going up there to become a better football team, to become tougher, to spend that time together and then transition back to Syracuse to what we feel is a very challenging schedule," said Marrone.
Following the first week of practice, fans can have a first-hand look at the 2012 squad on Friday, Aug. 10th, at the program's annual FanFest. Orange supporters are welcome to watch practice, get autographs, and participate in a variety of activities at the Lampe Athletics Complex at 3 p.m.
The 2012 regular season kicks off at home Saturday, Sept. 1 against Northwestern (noon, ESPN2). Season and individual game tickets are available online, in person at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B), or by calling 1-888-DOMETIX.
2012 BIG EAST FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
Rank Team (First-Place Votes) Pts.
1. Louisville (24) 219
2. USF (4) 176
3. Rutgers 155
4. Cincinnati 139
5. Pittsburgh 131
6. Connecticut 77
7. Syracuse 70
8. Temple 41
"Some people call this one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country," commented head coach Doug Marrone. "We understand those challenges. We are excited about them. It creates a great opportunity for us at Syracuse University. We are happy to get better and we are looking forward to doing it."
Syracuse reports for preseason camp on Saturday, Aug. 4th, with practice beginning on Monday, Aug. 6th. The Orange will return 42 letterwinners, including 12 starters, this season. Leading the offensive attack this year is three-year veteran quarterback, Ryan Nassib. Along with Nassib returns an experienced offensive line with offensive guard Zack Chibane, center Macky MacPherson, and offensive tackle, Justin Pugh. Wide receiver Alec Lemon rounds out the five offensive returners.
A talented defense returns as well with seven starters from the 2011 season that includes defensive tackle Jay Bromley, linebacker Dyshawn Davis, defensive tackle Deon Goggins, cornerback Keon Lyn, linebacker Marquis Spruill, safety Shamarko Thomas and linebacker Dan Vaughan.
Kicker Ross Krautman is back after another standout season along with punter Jonathan Fisher.
"We start up on Saturday when our players report and the first week will be challenging because some of our players are still in summer school," said Marrone. "The second week, we will transition to our partnership with Fort Drum, the military base in Watertown. We are looking forward to that. It's one of the first times we have taken our team off campus during preseason camp."
When SU holds practice at Fort Drum for a week, student-athletes and coaches will also participate in various military activities such as Army Physical Training and small unit leadership seminars. The week at Fort Drum ends with a scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 18th that will be played before the 10th Mountain Division Soldiers and their Families.
"We all in this room have a great deal of respect for what the military does. We are going up there to become a better football team, to become tougher, to spend that time together and then transition back to Syracuse to what we feel is a very challenging schedule," said Marrone.
Following the first week of practice, fans can have a first-hand look at the 2012 squad on Friday, Aug. 10th, at the program's annual FanFest. Orange supporters are welcome to watch practice, get autographs, and participate in a variety of activities at the Lampe Athletics Complex at 3 p.m.
The 2012 regular season kicks off at home Saturday, Sept. 1 against Northwestern (noon, ESPN2). Season and individual game tickets are available online, in person at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B), or by calling 1-888-DOMETIX.
2012 BIG EAST FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
Rank Team (First-Place Votes) Pts.
1. Louisville (24) 219
2. USF (4) 176
3. Rutgers 155
4. Cincinnati 139
5. Pittsburgh 131
6. Connecticut 77
7. Syracuse 70
8. Temple 41
Head Coach Fran Brown Press Conference | Spring Ball Day 8
Wednesday, April 01
Dwight Freeney at FRANCHISE Coaches Clinic
Monday, March 30
Donovin Darius at FRANCHISE Coaches Clinic
Monday, March 30
John Scott Jr. Press Conference | Spring Ball Day 5
Saturday, March 28
