Spring Preview Recap: Culpepper Brings Dome Crowd to Its Feet

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Redshirt sophomore Rex Culpepper stole the show at the 2018 Syracuse Football Spring Preview presented by TK 99.

The quarterback, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in March, ran onto the field to a standing ovation for the 16th and final series of the night. He then led the offense on a five-play, 60-yard touchdown drive. He completed all four of his pass attempts for 55 yards, including a 17-yard scoring strike to senior tight end Ravian Pierce to end the event.

It was quite a moment for the Tampa, Fla. native who has completed one cycle of chemotherapy and begins his second round of treatment Monday.

"It just felt surreal," Culpepper said. "It was spectacular. I'll never forget that."

?? QB Rex Culpepper, currently between rounds of chemo for testicular cancer, comes in for the last drive of the Spring Preview & ends it in style with a touchdown pass!#RexStrong #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/RPBJ8qNQCo
— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) April 14, 2018

The format for the scrimmage was offense versus defense and no score was kept. Overall, the offense scored four touchdowns and converted three field goals. The defense forced a turnover on downs or a punt on nine series.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Tommy DeVito completed 8-of-15 passes for 58 yards, while redshirt junior signal caller Clayton Welch was 9-of-15 for 63 yards and a touchdown. Pierce caught four passes for 42 yards, including two touchdowns, and junior Devin C. Butler had three receptions for 54 yards. Senior Dontae Strickland led the ground attack with 81 yards on eight carries and one touchdown. Junior Moe Neal finished with 70 yards rushing on 10 carries.

Redshirt freshman defensive back Eric Coley paced the defense with nine tackles, while redshirt sophomore defensive back Kyle Strickland added seven. The defense recorded three sacks, one each junior Kenneth Ruff, redshirt sophomore Josh Black and junior Alton Robinson.

On the third series, DeVito led the offense on a nine-play, 45-yard drive that resulted in the first points of the night, a 30-yard field goal by redshirt junior Sterling Hofrichter. The march included four carries for 27 yards by Neal.

Two series later, Welch orchestrated a five-play, 50-yard scoring drive, capped by a 14-yard TD pass to Pierce. Strickland gained 18 yards on two carries during the possession, and Welch completed two passes for 32 yards, including an 18-yard completion to Butler to help set up the touchdown.

Redshirt freshman Andre Szmyt made a 35-yard field goal to end an eight-play, 25-yard drive, and freshman quarterback Chance Amie scored on a 7-yard keeper to finish off another series.

Strickland accounted for all 25 yards, including a 19-yard burst, and 3-yard touchdown run on the 11th series of the evening. The Dayton, N.J. native was the workhorse again three possessions later, gaining 44 yards on two carries to set up a 36-yard Hofrichter field goal.

After Hofrichter's kick, Culpepper took center stage. Dino Babers had previously said Culpepper wouldn't play, but the third-year head coach decided to give him a shot and Culpepper sent the 2,036 fans in attendance home with a smile.

Friday's event marked the end of Syracuse's spring practice season. Now the Orange turn their attention to offseason conditioning and fall camp before opening the 2018 campaign Friday, Aug. 31 at Western Michigan. This season's home opener is set for Sept. 8 against Wagner.

Season tickets for Orange football are on sale now. Tickets start at $125 and can be purchased online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX), or in person at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B). Individual game tickets for the Orange's six home games go on sale Tuesday, April 17 at 10 a.m.

2018 SYRACUSE FOOTBALL SPRING PREVIEW
PASSING (Cmp-Att-INT, Yds)
C. Welch 9-15-0, 63 yds, TD; T. DeVito 8-15-0, 58 yds; R. Culpepper 4-4-0, 55 yds, TD; C. Amie 5-8-0, 29 yds

RUSHING (No.-Yds)
D. Strickland 8-81, TD; M. Neal 10-70; A. Adams 6-24; M. Pierre 8-17; C. Amie 5-9, TD; T. DeVito 4-6; C. Welch 2-(-6)

RECEIVING (No.-Yds)
N. Johnson 5-28; R. Pierce 4-42, 2 TD; D. Butler 3-54; T. Jackson 3-38; T. Gilfus 2-10; S. Riley 2-7; J. Custis 2-6; A. Hackett 1-9; C. Jordan 1-6; K.K. Hahn 1-5; A. Adams 1-2; M. Pierre 1-(-2)

PUNTING (No.-Yds-Avg.)
S. Hofrichter 2-92-46.0; N. Cooney 1-46-46.0

FIELD GOALS (FGM-FGA Yds) (Miss)
S. Hofrichter 2-2, 30, 36; A. Szmyt 1-1, 35; C. Smigel 0-1 (45)

TACKLES (UA-A-T)
E. Coley 2-7-9; K. Strickland 3-4-7; A. Cordy 3-2-5; K. Ruff 1-3-4; E. Foster 2-2-4; D. Clarke 2-2-4; M. Williams 1-3-4; A. Stritzinger 3-1-4; K. Whitner 1-3-4; J. Ellis 0-3-3; C. Elmore 2-1-3; S. Bradshaw 3-0-3; S. Cullen 2-1-3; J. Black 1-2-3; A. Robinson 1-1-2; A. Cisco 1-1-2; C. Jones 0-2-2; Z. Morton 0-2-2; K. Jonathan 2-0-2; R. Guthrie 0-3-3; C. Fredrick 2-0-2; N. Fagan 1-1-2; C. Slayton 1-0-1; S. Grosvenor 0-1-1; I. Melifonwu 1-0-1; J. Wallace 1-0-1; A. Armstrong 0-1-1; C. Harper 0-1-1

SACKS (No.-Yds)
K. Ruff 1-10; J. Black 1-8; A. Robinson 1-5

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