Preview: Syracuse vs. Central Michigan

Syracuse (1-1, 0-0 ACC) vs. Central Michigan (2-0, 0-0 MAC)
Game Details: Saturday, Sept. 16 | 3:30 p.m.
Location: Carrier Dome | Syracuse, N.Y.
Game Links: Tickets | Listen | Watch | Live Stats
Television: ACC Network Extra
Radio: Syracuse IMG Radio Network
Twitter: @CuseFootball | @Cuse
Syracuse Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats | Notes
Central Michigan Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats | Notes

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse (1-1) looks to return to its winning ways when its hosts undefeated Central Michigan (2-0) to cap a three-game homestand Saturday, Sept. 16 at the Carrier Dome. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on ACC Network Extra. Syracuse alum Doug Sherman '88 and former NFL linebacker Matt Chatham are on the call.

For the second straight week, it figures to be an aerial show. The Chippewas currently rank 13th nationally in passing offense, throwing for 360 yards per contest. The Orange average 306.5 yards passing per game, which ranks 25th in the country.

Senior wide receiver Steve Ishmael currently leads the nation in receptions per game (13.0) and total catches (26). Ishmael is the first player in program history to post consecutive games with at least 11 receptions. In addition to his 14-catch effort against Middle Tennessee, Ishmael snagged 12 passes in the season opener against Central Connecticut State.

THIRD-DOWN DEFENSE
Heading into the third week of the 2017 season, Syracuse boasts one of the top defenses in the country on third down. In fact, the Orange rank second in the ACC and fifth nationally in the statistic (.148). It is a stark improvement from 2016, when Syracuse ranked 11th in the league and 82nd in the country (.414).

In its season opener, Syracuse held Central Connecticut State to 1-of-15 on third-down attempts. The Orange followed it up with a 3-for-12 performance against Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders failed to convert a third down on their first eight tries.

This week's matchup against Central Michigan looks to favor the Orange. The Chippewas currently rank 10th in the MAC and 116th in the FBS in third-down percentage, converting 28.1 percent of their attempts.

TOUCHDOWN PLEDGE DRIVE IS SATURDAY
The Syracuse chapter of Uplifting Athletes is holding a touchdown pledge drive in conjunction with Saturday's game. Each touchdown the Orange score against the Chippewas will help the Syracuse chapter continue its mission of using college football as a platform to inspire the rare-disease community with hope through the power of sport.

The chapter's leadership team, and all the members of the 2017 Orange football squad, are asking fans to donate a dollar amount for every Syracuse touchdown scored at pledgeit.org/syracusetd17. Proceeds support Uplifting Athletes and its commitment to leadership development, patient-focused programs, rare-disease awareness and rare-disease research.

RETURN OF THE MAC
For the first time as the head coach of the Syracuse football program, Dino Babers will face an opponent from the Mid-American Conference. Babers coached at current MAC member Bowling Green from 2014-15, leading the Falcons to the 2015 conference title.

In his time at the helm of the Bowling Green program, Babers led his team to two MAC title game appearances and an 11-5 overall record against current league members. The Falcons also recorded two wins against then-member Massachusetts, improving Babers' record to 13-5 against conference teams.

Babers has won seven of his past eight meetings against current MAC competition. His last loss to a MAC opponent came on Nov. 17, 2015, a 44-28 decision at Toledo.

SCOUTING THE CHIPPEWAS
Central Michigan is in its third season under head coach John Bonamego. A 1987 Central Michigan alum, Bonamego holds a 15-13 overall record as the coach of the Chippewas and has led the team to consecutive bowl appearances.

Last season, Central Michigan finished the year with a 6-7 overall record and lost to Tulsa 55-10 in the 2016 Miami Beach Bowl. The Chippewas were picked to finish in fifth place in the MAC West Division in a vote by the league's media. So far this year, Central Michigan has knocked off Rhode Island (30-27) and Kansas (45-27).

Known for its ability to distribute the ball through the air, Central Michigan has also put a stop to its opponents' aerial attacks. Through two games, the Chippewas have a nation-leading eight interceptions, including a program-record six in the season opener against Rhode Island. For comparison, CMU tallied 13 interceptions in 13 games a year ago.

Senior quarterback Shane Morris, a transfer from Michigan, ranks 12th nationally in passing yards per game, averaging 346.5 per outing. His five passing touchdowns at Kansas are the second-most by an FBS quarterback in one game in 2017. Morris' top target, Corey Willis (16 rec., 183 yds), is out Saturday due to injury. That will likely lead to more opportunities for Mark Chapman who has 13 receptions for 266 yards and three scores through two games. Running back Jonathan Ward is averaging 103 yards a game rushing. He boasts a healthy 6.9 yards per carry.

SERIES HISTORY
Saturday's matchup is the fourth pairing between Syracuse and Central Michigan on the gridiron. The Orange own a 3-0 overall record against the Chippewas, including a 2-0 advantage in games played at the Carrier Dome.

In the last meeting, Syracuse defeated Central Michigan 30-27 in overtime on Sept. 19, 2015. Running back Jordan Fredericks scored a 4-yard touchdown to give the Orange their first 3-0 start to a season since 1991.

UP NEXT
Syracuse travels to Baton Rouge, La. for its first road game of the season against LSU. Kickoff will either be at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN) or 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2 or SEC Network) from Tiger Stadium.

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Players Mentioned

Jordan Fredericks

Steve Ishmael

Syracuse University Athletics