'Cuse Spring Practice Report: March 10

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Orange football team officially crossed the midway point of its spring season Thursday. Syracuse held its eighth of 15 practice sessions at the Ensley Athletic Center this morning before adjourning for spring break.

Head coach Dino Babers and his staff continued the process of installing their basic offensive and defensive schemes, and each position group worked to perfect the techniques that ultimately will help them become successful.

Receivers practiced stalk blocking and toe-dragging on catches near the sideline during individual periods, while linebackers worked on form tackling, and defensive backs practiced backpedaling then breaking on the football.

During pass skeleton, receiver Steve Ishmael made one of the plays of the day. The Miami, Fla. product caught a long touchdown, leaping over the top of cornerback Juwan Dowels (who had good position) to haul in the scoring pass.

Other notable moments from Thursday's practice included linebacker Jonathan Thomas intercepting a pass at the goal line to thwart of potential touchdown drive by the offense during the first team session, and Sterling Hofrichter connecting on a 52-yard field goal during the special teams period.

The Orange have six more practices leading up to the 2016 Syracuse Spring Scrimmage on Saturday, April 2 at the Carrier Dome. Start time is 11 a.m. and admission is free.

Syracuse will hold its first 'Select-A-Seat' event that day. Fans will have the opportunity to walk the Dome and choose the best available seat locations for 2016 season tickets. A sampling of available seats will be marked in each section and members of the Carrier Dome Box Office staff will be on hand to assist with the selection process and answer any questions.

The 2016 season gets underway Friday, Sept. 2 at home against Colgate. This year's schedule features six home dates, including conference games against Louisville, Virginia Tech, NC State and Florida State.

Season tickets are on sale now online, by phone (1-888-DOMETIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B). Tickets start at $99 ($16.50 per game) with lower-level seats in the end zones available for as little as $125.

NOTES: Defensive lineman Kayton Samuels broke the team down to end practice … Spring practice resumes for the Orange on Tuesday, March 22.

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Syracuse University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Juwan Dowels

Sterling Hofrichter

Steve Ishmael

Kayton Samuels

Jonathan Thomas

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