Photo by: Jes Sheldon
Orange Extra: MAC Attack
9/13/2017 9:01:00 AM | Football
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – You don't need to tell Coach Dino Babers how good the programs in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) are. After all, Babers was the gridiron boss at league member Bowling Green for two seasons prior to coming to Syracuse. He guided the Falcons into the MAC championship game each year and Bowling Green won the league crown in 2015.
The much-improved MAC placed six teams in bowl games last season: Central Michigan (Miami Beach Bowl), Eastern Michigan (Popeyes Bahamas Bowl), Miami (St. Petersburg Bowl), Ohio (Dollar General Bowl), Toledo (Raycom Media Camellia Bowl) and Western Michigan (Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic).
Oddly enough, despite his two years in the conference, Babers did not go up against Central Michigan during his tenure. Now the Chippewas represent the first MAC squad Babers has faced with the Orange. Clubs coached by Babers have won seven of the last eight pairings with MAC foes.
Syracuse is 21-8-1 all-time against MAC programs and has a .500-or-better record against all but one league foe:
Akron (2-1)
Ball State (1-0)
Bowling Green (0-2)
Buffalo (4-3-1)
Central Michigan (3-0)
Eastern Michigan (1-0)
Kent State (2-1)
Miami (3-1)
Ohio (2-0)
Toledo (3-0)
ORANGE-CHIPPEWA HISTORY
Syracuse and Central Michigan have met on the gridiron three times previously, in 1999, 2014 and 2015. The Orange won the first pairing, a 47-7 Dome decision on Sept. 11, 1999. Syracuse running backs Dee Brown and James Mungro combined for 134 of 234 team rushing yards in the convincing win.
On Sept. 13, 2014, Central Michigan opened the contest with a field goal, but the Orange responded with 40 unanswered points. Quarterback Terrel Hunt rushed 13 times for 92 yards and three touchdowns. It was the only meeting between the two squads in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
Two years ago, on Sept. 19, 2015, running back Jordan Fredericks scored on a 4-yard run to secure a 30-27 overtime triumph against the Chippewas. Central Michigan's touchdown with seven seconds left in regulation sent the contest into the extra session. The Chippewas converted a field goal in overtime before the Orange answered with Fredericks' run to paydirt.
LOOK UP!
Dome fans are going to want to keep their heads up during Saturday's. The contest features two squads ranked in the top 25 in the FBS in passing yards per game.
The Chippewas rank 13th with an average of 360 passing per contest. They moved up the stat standings after last week's game when quarterback Shane Morris threw for 467 yards and five touchdowns in a victory against Kansas. He was named the MAC West Division Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.
Morris, the second straight lefty the Orange are up against (Middle Tennessee's Brent Stockstill was also left-handed), is averaging 346.5 yards passing per outing, good for 12th nationally. His favorite target has been Corey Willis, 2017 Biletnikoff Award Watch List member. Willis is averaging eight catches a game.
Syracuse's aerial attack ranks 25th in the country (306.5 ypg). Quarterback Eric Dungey has completed 54-of-78 passes for 508 yards and three touchdowns in two games.Â
ISHMAEL TOPS FBS PASS-CATCHERS
Wide receiver Steve Ishmael is off to a fast start in 2017. With 26 total receptions in his first two games , Ishmael is first among FBS performers in catches per game (13.0). He also leads the NCAA ranks in total catches (26).
He is the first Orange player to accumulate at least 11 catches in two consecutive games. He opened the season with 11 against Central Connecticut State and added 14 last Saturday versus Middle Tennessee.
Ishmael's 140 career receptions ranks third at Syracuse behind Alec Lemon (201) and Ervin Phillips (147). Syracuse is the only FBS club with two active players who have at least 140 career catches.
His 14 receptions against the Blue Raiders represented a school single-game record and the third most catches in an FBS game this fall.
NCAA FBS RECEPTIONS PER GAME
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
The much-improved MAC placed six teams in bowl games last season: Central Michigan (Miami Beach Bowl), Eastern Michigan (Popeyes Bahamas Bowl), Miami (St. Petersburg Bowl), Ohio (Dollar General Bowl), Toledo (Raycom Media Camellia Bowl) and Western Michigan (Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic).
Oddly enough, despite his two years in the conference, Babers did not go up against Central Michigan during his tenure. Now the Chippewas represent the first MAC squad Babers has faced with the Orange. Clubs coached by Babers have won seven of the last eight pairings with MAC foes.
Syracuse is 21-8-1 all-time against MAC programs and has a .500-or-better record against all but one league foe:
Akron (2-1)
Ball State (1-0)
Bowling Green (0-2)
Buffalo (4-3-1)
Central Michigan (3-0)
Eastern Michigan (1-0)
Kent State (2-1)
Miami (3-1)
Ohio (2-0)
Toledo (3-0)
ORANGE-CHIPPEWA HISTORY
Syracuse and Central Michigan have met on the gridiron three times previously, in 1999, 2014 and 2015. The Orange won the first pairing, a 47-7 Dome decision on Sept. 11, 1999. Syracuse running backs Dee Brown and James Mungro combined for 134 of 234 team rushing yards in the convincing win.
On Sept. 13, 2014, Central Michigan opened the contest with a field goal, but the Orange responded with 40 unanswered points. Quarterback Terrel Hunt rushed 13 times for 92 yards and three touchdowns. It was the only meeting between the two squads in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
Two years ago, on Sept. 19, 2015, running back Jordan Fredericks scored on a 4-yard run to secure a 30-27 overtime triumph against the Chippewas. Central Michigan's touchdown with seven seconds left in regulation sent the contest into the extra session. The Chippewas converted a field goal in overtime before the Orange answered with Fredericks' run to paydirt.
LOOK UP!
Dome fans are going to want to keep their heads up during Saturday's. The contest features two squads ranked in the top 25 in the FBS in passing yards per game.
The Chippewas rank 13th with an average of 360 passing per contest. They moved up the stat standings after last week's game when quarterback Shane Morris threw for 467 yards and five touchdowns in a victory against Kansas. He was named the MAC West Division Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.
Morris, the second straight lefty the Orange are up against (Middle Tennessee's Brent Stockstill was also left-handed), is averaging 346.5 yards passing per outing, good for 12th nationally. His favorite target has been Corey Willis, 2017 Biletnikoff Award Watch List member. Willis is averaging eight catches a game.
Syracuse's aerial attack ranks 25th in the country (306.5 ypg). Quarterback Eric Dungey has completed 54-of-78 passes for 508 yards and three touchdowns in two games.Â
ISHMAEL TOPS FBS PASS-CATCHERS
Wide receiver Steve Ishmael is off to a fast start in 2017. With 26 total receptions in his first two games , Ishmael is first among FBS performers in catches per game (13.0). He also leads the NCAA ranks in total catches (26).
He is the first Orange player to accumulate at least 11 catches in two consecutive games. He opened the season with 11 against Central Connecticut State and added 14 last Saturday versus Middle Tennessee.
Ishmael's 140 career receptions ranks third at Syracuse behind Alec Lemon (201) and Ervin Phillips (147). Syracuse is the only FBS club with two active players who have at least 140 career catches.
His 14 receptions against the Blue Raiders represented a school single-game record and the third most catches in an FBS game this fall.
NCAA FBS RECEPTIONS PER GAME
| 1.  | Steve Ishmael | Syracuse | 13.0 |
| 2. | James Williams | Washington State | 11.5 |
| 3. | Jaylen Samuels | NC State | 10.0 |
| 4. | Kelvin Harmon | NC State | Â 9.5 |
| 5. | Six players tied | Â 9.0 |
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
Players Mentioned
Built in the 315 | Episode 1: The Foundation
Friday, March 06
Built in the 315 | Episode 1
Friday, March 06
John Wildhack Interview
Wednesday, February 11
Calvin Russell Interview
Tuesday, January 13
