Orange Look to Capitalize on Momentum Versus UConn
9/17/2018 2:00:00 PM | Football
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Three games played, three games won.
The Orange (3-0) welcome Connecticut (1-2) to the Carrier Dome Saturday with an opportunity to start the season 4-0 for just the fifth time since World War II. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ESPNews.
A buzz – both locally and nationally – surrounds Syracuse on the heels of its 30-7 win over Florida State, which gave the Orange their first 3-0 start under head coach Dino Babers.
The win put the Orange back on the national map, as well, with Syracuse receiving two points in this week's Associated Press poll and 11 points in the most recent Amway Coaches rankings. It is the first time since Oct. 23, 2011 that Syracuse has earned a vote in the AP Top 25.
"It was good to see everybody excited," Babers said while addressing the media at his weekly press conference Monday inside the Iocolano-Petty Football Complex. "I just hope we can keep that energy and enthusiasm. I heard the Quad was jumping and was quite a sight to see. If we can keep that energy and atmosphere for home games, I think it can be really cool. Let's see if we can fill up the Dome one more time."
UConn, coached by former Syracuse quarterback and assistant coach Randy Edsall, comes to the Loud House with its first win of 2018 under its belt after defeating FCS opponent Rhode Island 56-49 Saturday. While the Huskies have struggled defensively this season, allowing an average of 55.6 points per game, Babers recognizes how dangerous the Orange's former BIG EAST rival can be.
"You can see Coach Edsall is doing a really good job," Babers said. "He ripped everything apart, and they're playing a lot of young people. When you do that, you may not be successful early, but in two years you're going to be successful. He ripped out the basement and is building a foundation from there.
"They're a good team, they're a dangerous team. Any time you have an ex-Syracuse guy coming back in here to coach, they're going to be motivated. We've got to make sure we're ready to play the game we're capable of playing."
At halftime of Saturday's game, Syracuse will retire the jersey of all-time rushing king Joe Morris. Morris' No. 47 jersey will be the fifth one retired in the history of the program. He joins Larry Csonka (39), John Mackey (88), Donovan McNabb (5) and Don McPherson (9) as former Syracuse standouts in that elite group. The No. 44, worn by 25 players, including legendary running backs Jim Brown, Ernie Davis and Floyd Little, is also retired and hangs from the Dome rafters.
"I'm excited this weekend to have his No. 47 retired," Babers said. "The leading rusher in the history of the school. It's amazing to think that of all the guys who've worn No. 44 that No. 47 is the leading rusher in Syracuse history. I think a blast from the past is fantastic, and Joe Morris coming back is outstanding, as well. It looks like it's going to be a good weekend, and hopefully it'll end on a good note."
Â
In addition to honoring Morris, Saturday is also Military Appreciation Day, presented by SEFCU. Active military personnel, veterans, and their families who qualify are eligible for complimentary tickets to the game through the "Cuse for the Troops" ticket program. To receive complimentary tickets, military members should sign up at Cuse.com/military before the end of the day Monday.Â
Â
Tickets for military personnel are $10 the day of the game.
Single-game tickets to watch the Orange and Huskies start at $25. They are on sale now online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX), and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B).
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
The Orange (3-0) welcome Connecticut (1-2) to the Carrier Dome Saturday with an opportunity to start the season 4-0 for just the fifth time since World War II. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ESPNews.
A buzz – both locally and nationally – surrounds Syracuse on the heels of its 30-7 win over Florida State, which gave the Orange their first 3-0 start under head coach Dino Babers.
The win put the Orange back on the national map, as well, with Syracuse receiving two points in this week's Associated Press poll and 11 points in the most recent Amway Coaches rankings. It is the first time since Oct. 23, 2011 that Syracuse has earned a vote in the AP Top 25.
"It was good to see everybody excited," Babers said while addressing the media at his weekly press conference Monday inside the Iocolano-Petty Football Complex. "I just hope we can keep that energy and enthusiasm. I heard the Quad was jumping and was quite a sight to see. If we can keep that energy and atmosphere for home games, I think it can be really cool. Let's see if we can fill up the Dome one more time."
UConn, coached by former Syracuse quarterback and assistant coach Randy Edsall, comes to the Loud House with its first win of 2018 under its belt after defeating FCS opponent Rhode Island 56-49 Saturday. While the Huskies have struggled defensively this season, allowing an average of 55.6 points per game, Babers recognizes how dangerous the Orange's former BIG EAST rival can be.
"You can see Coach Edsall is doing a really good job," Babers said. "He ripped everything apart, and they're playing a lot of young people. When you do that, you may not be successful early, but in two years you're going to be successful. He ripped out the basement and is building a foundation from there.
"They're a good team, they're a dangerous team. Any time you have an ex-Syracuse guy coming back in here to coach, they're going to be motivated. We've got to make sure we're ready to play the game we're capable of playing."
At halftime of Saturday's game, Syracuse will retire the jersey of all-time rushing king Joe Morris. Morris' No. 47 jersey will be the fifth one retired in the history of the program. He joins Larry Csonka (39), John Mackey (88), Donovan McNabb (5) and Don McPherson (9) as former Syracuse standouts in that elite group. The No. 44, worn by 25 players, including legendary running backs Jim Brown, Ernie Davis and Floyd Little, is also retired and hangs from the Dome rafters.
"I'm excited this weekend to have his No. 47 retired," Babers said. "The leading rusher in the history of the school. It's amazing to think that of all the guys who've worn No. 44 that No. 47 is the leading rusher in Syracuse history. I think a blast from the past is fantastic, and Joe Morris coming back is outstanding, as well. It looks like it's going to be a good weekend, and hopefully it'll end on a good note."
Â
In addition to honoring Morris, Saturday is also Military Appreciation Day, presented by SEFCU. Active military personnel, veterans, and their families who qualify are eligible for complimentary tickets to the game through the "Cuse for the Troops" ticket program. To receive complimentary tickets, military members should sign up at Cuse.com/military before the end of the day Monday.Â
Â
Tickets for military personnel are $10 the day of the game.
Single-game tickets to watch the Orange and Huskies start at $25. They are on sale now online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX), and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B).
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
Sitdown with Coach Brown | Miami Week
Friday, November 07
Fran Brown Show
Thursday, November 06
Fran Brown Press Conference | Miami Week
Monday, November 03
Fran Brown Press Conference
Monday, November 03
