#TBT: McPherson Guides Orange to Victory Against Colgate
10/12/2017 5:03:00 PM | Football
McPherson tossed four touchdown passes in the first half
Thirty years ago, the Syracuse football team made history, finishing the regular season with an 11-0 record and earning an invitation to the Sugar Bowl where it tied Auburn. This fall, Cuse.com will celebrate the 30th anniversary of that historic team each week with a recap of each contest from the 1987 campaign.
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In its seventh game of the regular season, Syracuse played in-state foe Colgate at home. The date was Oct. 24 and the contest was played in the friendly confines of the Carrier Dome.
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse scored touchdowns on its first five possessions of the game and went on to hammer Colgate, 52-6.
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"I thought we played exceptionally well on offense early in the game," head coach Dick MacPherson said following the victory. "We were sharp. We have been sharper defensively. We're into another level now."
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Quarterback Don McPherson and wide receiver Tommy Kane hooked up for four first-half touchdown passes. McPherson matched the program record FOR touchdowns passes in a game, while Kane broke the single-season receiving touchdowns mark.
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"Donnie McPherson is very impressive," Colgate head coach Fred Dunlap said. "He runs well, passes well. He hit things well. He's an excellent football player and the key to their team."
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Despite being removed from the game early in the second half, McPherson completed 10-of-11 passes for 244 yards, broke the Syracuse single-season touchdown passes record, became the program's all-time leader in total offense, and hauled in a touchdown receptions from running back Robert Drummond.
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"We're at another level and it's a different kind of pressure on the players," MacPherson said. "We had leadership from the players during the week. That's leadership. It has to come from the players, not the coaches. I'm not surprised we came out sharp."
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Rushing: Syracuse - Abraham 9-60, Johnston 7-47. Colgate - Gamble 24-129.
Passing: Syracuse - McPherson 10-11-1-244. Colgate - Phelan 15-27-2-130.
Receiving: Syracuse - Kane 7-193. Colgate - Sanburn 3-31, Buchner 3-12.
The 2017 Orange host No. 2 Clemson on Friday, Oct. 13. Kickoff is 7 p.m. on ESPN. Tickets start at $45 and they are available online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B).Â
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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In its seventh game of the regular season, Syracuse played in-state foe Colgate at home. The date was Oct. 24 and the contest was played in the friendly confines of the Carrier Dome.
Â
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse scored touchdowns on its first five possessions of the game and went on to hammer Colgate, 52-6.
Â
"I thought we played exceptionally well on offense early in the game," head coach Dick MacPherson said following the victory. "We were sharp. We have been sharper defensively. We're into another level now."
Â
Quarterback Don McPherson and wide receiver Tommy Kane hooked up for four first-half touchdown passes. McPherson matched the program record FOR touchdowns passes in a game, while Kane broke the single-season receiving touchdowns mark.
Â
"Donnie McPherson is very impressive," Colgate head coach Fred Dunlap said. "He runs well, passes well. He hit things well. He's an excellent football player and the key to their team."
Â
Despite being removed from the game early in the second half, McPherson completed 10-of-11 passes for 244 yards, broke the Syracuse single-season touchdown passes record, became the program's all-time leader in total offense, and hauled in a touchdown receptions from running back Robert Drummond.
Â
"We're at another level and it's a different kind of pressure on the players," MacPherson said. "We had leadership from the players during the week. That's leadership. It has to come from the players, not the coaches. I'm not surprised we came out sharp."
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| Â Score by Quarter | Â 1 | Â 2 | Â 3 | Â 4 | Â F |
| Â Syracuse | Â 21 | Â 21 | Â 7 | Â 3 | Â 52 |
| Â Colgate | Â 0 | Â 0 | Â 0 | Â 6 | Â 6 |
| Â Scoring Summary | ||
| Â Team | Â Play | Â Score |
|  SU |  Kane 18-yd pass form McPherson (Vesling kick) |  7-0 |
|  SU |  Kane 44-yd pass from McPherson (Vesling kick) |  14-0 |
|  SU |  Kane 42-yd pass from McPherson (Vesling kick) |  21-0 |
|  SU |  Owens 12-yd run (Vesling kick) |  28-0 |
|  SU |  McPherson 7-yd pass from Drummond (Vesling kick) |  35-0 |
|  SU |  Kane 43-yd pass from McPherson (Vesling kick) |  42-0 |
|  SU |  Barnes 3-yd run (Vesling kick) |  49-0 |
| Â SU | Â Greene 21-yd field goal | Â 52-0 |
| Â CU | Â Crump 34-yd field goal | Â 52-3 |
| Â CU | Â Crump 25-yd field goal | Â 52-6 |
| Â Team Stats | Â SU | Â CU |
| Â First Downs | Â 27 | Â 17 |
| Â Rushing Yardage | Â 250 | Â 90 |
| Â Passing Yardage | Â 310 | Â 180 |
| Â Total Offense | Â 560 | Â 270 |
| Â Passes | Â 15/19 | Â 16/33 |
| Â Passes Intercepted By | Â 2 | Â 1 |
| Â Punts/Avg. | Â 2/30.5 | Â 4/40.3 |
| Â Kickoff Returns | Â 3/68 | Â 8/188 |
| Â Fumbles/Lost | Â 0/0 | Â 1/1 |
| Â Penalties/Yards | Â 7/60 | Â 5/54 |
Rushing: Syracuse - Abraham 9-60, Johnston 7-47. Colgate - Gamble 24-129.
Passing: Syracuse - McPherson 10-11-1-244. Colgate - Phelan 15-27-2-130.
Receiving: Syracuse - Kane 7-193. Colgate - Sanburn 3-31, Buchner 3-12.
The 2017 Orange host No. 2 Clemson on Friday, Oct. 13. Kickoff is 7 p.m. on ESPN. Tickets start at $45 and they are available online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B).Â
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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