Photo by: Bryan Fuller
Orange Extra: Polling, Balance and More!
11/7/2018 10:03:00 AM | Football
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Senior Night at the Dome this Friday marks the final home-field appearance for 17 Orange performers. They will be honored in a pregame ceremony prior to the 7 p.m. kickoff against Louisville.
This class, which includes quarterback Eric Dungey and defensive back Antwan Cordy, has played a major role in the dramatic turnaround the program has experienced this season.
A triumph on Friday night would double Syracuse's season win total from a year ago and matched Orange's number of victories from the last two years combined.
THE VOTES ARE IN
It is fitting that during election week the Orange have three teams ranked in the latest Associated Press Top 25 polls for their respective sports. The football team moved up to No. 13, which represents the program's highest AP ranking since Syracuse was 11th on Sept. 28, 1998.
Coach Jim Boeheim's men's basketball team claimed the No. 16 spot in the Associated Press Preseason Poll. The Syracuse women's hoops squad, coached by Quentin Hillsman, earned the No. 18 ranking in preseason AP women's poll.
Syracuse and Mississippi State are the only schools whose football, men's basketball and women's basketball programs are currently in the Associated Press rankings.
GUTHRIE FOR THE DEFENSE
Senior linebacker Ryan Guthrie has emerged as a playmaker and consistent tackler on Syracuse's defensive unit. His 68 total tackles (40 solo, 28 assists) rank second on the squad behind fellow senior Kielan Whitner (76).
Guthrie was recognized as the ACC Linebacker of the Week after his Oct. 22 showing versus North Carolina, which included 12 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery.
Guthrie has topped 10 tackles three different times – at Clemson (11), against North Carolina (12) and at Wake Forest (11). He has posted a tackle for loss in seven of the nine games.
In addition to his tackling prowess, Guthrie's become a pass-rushing threat. His two quarterback sacks versus Wake Forest helped raise the Orange's total number of sacks to 27 after nine games.
DID YOU KNOW?
The last time Syracuse played on a weeknight, the Orange won at Western Michigan 55-42 on Friday, Aug. 31. The most recent weeknight contest in the Dome was the program's 27-24 upset of No. 2 Clemson last fall.
SZMYT'S SCORING
The kicking of redshirt freshman Andre Szmyt continues to be among the most pleasant surprises in college football this season. Szmyt has already established the Syracuse single-season record for kicking points with 114, a total that leads the nation. He also ranks first in field-goals made average (2.56).
Szmyt is 45-of-45 on PATs and has made 23-of-25 (.920) field goals. He is a perfect 16-of-16 on tries inside the 40-yard line and he is the first Syracuse kicker to make three 50+ field goals in one season.
Szmyt is one fo the 20 semifinalists for the prestigious Lou Groza Award, presented to the nation's top kicker.
BALANCING ATTACK
Despite its reputation as a squad that passes early and often, the Orange have showcased a balanced offensive approach.
Syracuse was able to call on its ground game when needed last Saturday at Wake Forest and the results were impressive. The Orange ran for 264 yards and a season-best five touchdowns (equaling its total at Western Michigan) in the 41-24 victory against the Demon Deacons.
Senior quarterback Eric Dungey was especially effective, carrying the ball 24 times for 119 yards and a touchdown. He matched his career high in attempts and topped 100 yards on the ground for the second time this season.
Syracuse has made dramatic improvement in its rushing attack. The Orange averaged 161.5 yards per game on the ground in 2017. After nine games this season, that figure has improved by to 203.9 (+42.4). Scoring on the ground is up as well, evidenced by an 11-touchdown increase so far, from 16 to 27.
DID YOU KNOW?
Syracuse is +12 in turnover margin this year, good for the top mark in the ACC, and tied for fifth among Division I FBS schools.
DOME PERFECTION
The Orange can wrap up an unblemished Dome campaign by defeating Louisville Friday. Syracuse enters the contest with a 5-0 home-field record. It represents the program's best home win total since 2003.
The last time Syracuse forged a 6-0 Dome record was in 2001. The Orange also posted perfect 6-0 home marks in 1987 and 1988.
Coach Dino Babers has guided Syracuse to an 11-7 record at the Dome in his three seasons.
Did You Know?
Syracuse is 13-2-2 all-time in games played on Nov. 9. That's a .824 winning percentage.
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For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
This class, which includes quarterback Eric Dungey and defensive back Antwan Cordy, has played a major role in the dramatic turnaround the program has experienced this season.
A triumph on Friday night would double Syracuse's season win total from a year ago and matched Orange's number of victories from the last two years combined.
THE VOTES ARE IN
It is fitting that during election week the Orange have three teams ranked in the latest Associated Press Top 25 polls for their respective sports. The football team moved up to No. 13, which represents the program's highest AP ranking since Syracuse was 11th on Sept. 28, 1998.
Coach Jim Boeheim's men's basketball team claimed the No. 16 spot in the Associated Press Preseason Poll. The Syracuse women's hoops squad, coached by Quentin Hillsman, earned the No. 18 ranking in preseason AP women's poll.
Syracuse and Mississippi State are the only schools whose football, men's basketball and women's basketball programs are currently in the Associated Press rankings.
GUTHRIE FOR THE DEFENSE
Senior linebacker Ryan Guthrie has emerged as a playmaker and consistent tackler on Syracuse's defensive unit. His 68 total tackles (40 solo, 28 assists) rank second on the squad behind fellow senior Kielan Whitner (76).
Guthrie was recognized as the ACC Linebacker of the Week after his Oct. 22 showing versus North Carolina, which included 12 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery.
Guthrie has topped 10 tackles three different times – at Clemson (11), against North Carolina (12) and at Wake Forest (11). He has posted a tackle for loss in seven of the nine games.
In addition to his tackling prowess, Guthrie's become a pass-rushing threat. His two quarterback sacks versus Wake Forest helped raise the Orange's total number of sacks to 27 after nine games.
DID YOU KNOW?
The last time Syracuse played on a weeknight, the Orange won at Western Michigan 55-42 on Friday, Aug. 31. The most recent weeknight contest in the Dome was the program's 27-24 upset of No. 2 Clemson last fall.
SZMYT'S SCORING
The kicking of redshirt freshman Andre Szmyt continues to be among the most pleasant surprises in college football this season. Szmyt has already established the Syracuse single-season record for kicking points with 114, a total that leads the nation. He also ranks first in field-goals made average (2.56).
Szmyt is 45-of-45 on PATs and has made 23-of-25 (.920) field goals. He is a perfect 16-of-16 on tries inside the 40-yard line and he is the first Syracuse kicker to make three 50+ field goals in one season.
Szmyt is one fo the 20 semifinalists for the prestigious Lou Groza Award, presented to the nation's top kicker.
BALANCING ATTACK
Despite its reputation as a squad that passes early and often, the Orange have showcased a balanced offensive approach.
Syracuse was able to call on its ground game when needed last Saturday at Wake Forest and the results were impressive. The Orange ran for 264 yards and a season-best five touchdowns (equaling its total at Western Michigan) in the 41-24 victory against the Demon Deacons.
Senior quarterback Eric Dungey was especially effective, carrying the ball 24 times for 119 yards and a touchdown. He matched his career high in attempts and topped 100 yards on the ground for the second time this season.
Syracuse has made dramatic improvement in its rushing attack. The Orange averaged 161.5 yards per game on the ground in 2017. After nine games this season, that figure has improved by to 203.9 (+42.4). Scoring on the ground is up as well, evidenced by an 11-touchdown increase so far, from 16 to 27.
DID YOU KNOW?
Syracuse is +12 in turnover margin this year, good for the top mark in the ACC, and tied for fifth among Division I FBS schools.
DOME PERFECTION
The Orange can wrap up an unblemished Dome campaign by defeating Louisville Friday. Syracuse enters the contest with a 5-0 home-field record. It represents the program's best home win total since 2003.
The last time Syracuse forged a 6-0 Dome record was in 2001. The Orange also posted perfect 6-0 home marks in 1987 and 1988.
Coach Dino Babers has guided Syracuse to an 11-7 record at the Dome in his three seasons.
Did You Know?
Syracuse is 13-2-2 all-time in games played on Nov. 9. That's a .824 winning percentage.
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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