Orange Report for #CampCuse
8/1/2018 3:54:00 PM | Football
Head coach Dino Babers, senior running back Dontae Strickland and senior linebacker Kielan Whitner addressed the media inside the Iocolano-Petty Football Complex. With one eye on the Aug. 31 season opener at Western Michigan, Babers recapped the team's offseason and summer conditioning, marveling at the development of the program and student-athletes.
"I was here the entire summer, and I got an opportunity to witness [the development]," Babers said. "It was the best offseason that we've had. There were ups and downs, strong points and weak points, but overall it was the best offseason we've had. We're looking forward to getting started in camp."
Entering his third season at the helm, Babers voiced his excitement for the direction of the team. He said he has a better feel for the program and is beginning to see the players embrace the culture and values he's worked to instill.
"This is the first time I've ever had a 'Year 3' anywhere," Babers said. "I have a better understanding of what's going on in the conference, a better understanding of the 107 guys in the room, and there's a lot more camaraderie with the family. I think everybody's heading in the right direction. There's more of our type of guys in the room than before, and I think it's going to pay off for us in the long run."
Strickland and Whitner echoed Babers' sentiments, as they prepare for their last collegiate seasons. Strickland, the Orange's third-leading rusher in 2017, briefly looked back on his time at Syracuse before quickly shifting his focus to the present, where he intends to close out his career on a high note.
"Blink of an eye," Strickland said. "[My time at Syracuse] went by that quick. Time does go by, but I've enjoyed every step of it. This is my last shot that I get to show everybody what I can do."
Syracuse returns 15 starters from last season, including senior quarterback Eric Dungey, who leads all active Atlantic Coast Conference signal-callers in rushing yards (1,239), rushing touchdowns (20), touchdown passes (40) and total offense (7,711 yards). The defense returns six first-stringers, as well as several more veterans like Whitner, who has 76 tackles and four passes defended in 34 career games at safety and linebacker.
"We get 26 days of working before our first game," Babers said. "We're going to have some guys that surprise us and other guys that we were expecting a lot from not do so well. To me, it's a fun part of the season because we actually get to put our hands on them and work with these young men."
Following the opener at Western Michigan, Syracuse will play three consecutive home games, starting with Wagner on Saturday, Sept. 8.
Season and individual game tickets for Orange football are on sale now online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) and in person at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B). Season tickets start at $125.
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