Orange Extra: Super Starts, 3rd-Down D and No. 47
9/19/2018 11:40:00 AM | Football
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse hosts Connecticut with its sights set on continuing its stellar start. The Orange enter with an unblemished 3-0 record, marking the eighth time Syracuse has been off to an undefeated, three-game beginning, since the 1942 campaign. A victory against the Huskies would provide Syracuse with a 4-0 record for the fifth time since the end of World War II. The last time the Orange were 4-0 was 1991, a season that ended with Syracuse defeating Ohio State in the Hall of Fame Bowl.
THE CONNECTICUT SERIES
When fans think of competition between Syracuse and Connecticut, most recall the numerous tussles the Orange and the Huskies have had on the hardwood. Syracuse and Connecticut have met 94 times in men's basketball, making the Huskies the fifth most-familiar Orange foe. The two squads square off again on Nov. 15 in the 2K Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project at Madison Square Garden.
The football side of the rivalry has had its moments, as well. The two programs met for nine straight seasons from 2004 to 2012 while both were members of the BIG EAST Conference. Connecticut has won six of 10 matchups with Syracuse, although the Orange have claimed the two most recent games.
In the final BIG EAST Conference game between Syracuse and Connecticut, in 2012, the Orange won 40-10 in the Dome. The Syracuse offense displayed a balanced attack, accumulating 251 rushing yards and an equal 251 passing yards in the victory. Jerome Smith ran 19 times for 133 yards and Ryan Nassib completed 14-of-21 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns.
The clubs met again two seasons ago, and the Orange won 31-24 in East Hartford, Conn. Eric Dungey threw for 407 yards and two touchdowns. Amba Etta-Towa hauled in 12 passes for a school-record 270 yards.
HUSKIES DRIVEN AGAIN BY EDSALL
Syracuse alum Randy Edsall is in his second tenure as Connecticut's head coach. Edsall played at Syracuse for four years and then was a member of the coaching staff for 11 seasons. He was named Husky head coach in 1999 and had a 12-year run in the post. Connecticut was 74-70 during that time, and in 2010, Edsall was named BIG EAST Conference Coach of the Year after guiding his club to the Fiesta Bowl.
Edsall was hired by Maryland in 2011. He coached the Terps to two bowls games and a 22-34 overall record in five seasons.
He returned to Connecticut in 2017. The Huskies are 4-11 during Edsall's second stint in charge.
THIRD-DOWN CONVERSION DEFENSE
Sometimes statistics are not an accurate indicator of team success. This is not the case with Syracuse's defensive performance on third down.
Heading into Saturday's encounter with Connecticut, the Orange rank second nationally behind only Miami (Fla.) in third-down conversion percentage defense. Syracuse has held the opposition to a .190 rate, based on eight conversions in 42 attempts. Miami's mark is .163 (7-of-43).
The Orange defensive unit excelled last Saturday against Florida State, limiting the Seminoles to 1-of-14 (.071) in the 30-7 victory. FSU did not convert a third-down opportunity until the fourth quarter.
Syracuse has improved its defensive percentage in each of its three seasons under Coach Dino Babers. In 2016, the Orange ranked 82nd (.414). The following season, the group shaved its percentage and rose to 13th (.311) in the FBS ranks. Three games into the 2018 campaign, Syracuse is No. 2.
WAS IT JIM BROWN? FLOYD LITTLE? ERNIE DAVIS? LARRY CSONKA? WALTER REYES? ...Â
Syracuse's football program could make a strong argument for nickname "Running Back U" after a run of standout ball carriers who wore Orange in the 1950s and 1960s.
Jim Brown, Ernie Davis, Larry Csonka and Floyd Little each ran their way into the College Football Hall of Fame. Brown, Csonka and Little received membership in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as well.
This leads to an interesting trivia question. Who is Syracuse's all-time leading rusher?
The answer: None of the above. It's Joe Morris.
Morris had a remarkable career at Syracuse and in the NFL. He will be honored this Saturday when the University retires his jersey during halftime against Connecticut. Morris, who holds or shares 15 school records, joins Csonka (39), John Mackey (88), Donovan McNabb (5) and Don McPherson (9) in the exclusive company of players who have had their jersey retired. The uniform recognition also includes No. 44, which has been worn by a number of Syracuse standouts, including Brown, Davis and Little.
Morris wore No. 47 during his Syracuse tenure. He remains the program leader in single-game (252 yards), single-season (1,372) and career (4,299) rushing yards. His rushing yards per game (113.1) and 100-yard games (22) also occupy the top spot in the Orange record book.
Following his college career, Morris was selected in the second round of the 1982 NFL Draft. He spent seven seasons with the Giants and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection. Morris was also a member of the Giants first Super Bowl-winning team in 1986.
Morris also had two siblings attend Syracuse and play football – brothers Mike and Larry.
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
THE CONNECTICUT SERIES
When fans think of competition between Syracuse and Connecticut, most recall the numerous tussles the Orange and the Huskies have had on the hardwood. Syracuse and Connecticut have met 94 times in men's basketball, making the Huskies the fifth most-familiar Orange foe. The two squads square off again on Nov. 15 in the 2K Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project at Madison Square Garden.
The football side of the rivalry has had its moments, as well. The two programs met for nine straight seasons from 2004 to 2012 while both were members of the BIG EAST Conference. Connecticut has won six of 10 matchups with Syracuse, although the Orange have claimed the two most recent games.
In the final BIG EAST Conference game between Syracuse and Connecticut, in 2012, the Orange won 40-10 in the Dome. The Syracuse offense displayed a balanced attack, accumulating 251 rushing yards and an equal 251 passing yards in the victory. Jerome Smith ran 19 times for 133 yards and Ryan Nassib completed 14-of-21 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns.
The clubs met again two seasons ago, and the Orange won 31-24 in East Hartford, Conn. Eric Dungey threw for 407 yards and two touchdowns. Amba Etta-Towa hauled in 12 passes for a school-record 270 yards.
HUSKIES DRIVEN AGAIN BY EDSALL
Syracuse alum Randy Edsall is in his second tenure as Connecticut's head coach. Edsall played at Syracuse for four years and then was a member of the coaching staff for 11 seasons. He was named Husky head coach in 1999 and had a 12-year run in the post. Connecticut was 74-70 during that time, and in 2010, Edsall was named BIG EAST Conference Coach of the Year after guiding his club to the Fiesta Bowl.
Edsall was hired by Maryland in 2011. He coached the Terps to two bowls games and a 22-34 overall record in five seasons.
He returned to Connecticut in 2017. The Huskies are 4-11 during Edsall's second stint in charge.
THIRD-DOWN CONVERSION DEFENSE
Sometimes statistics are not an accurate indicator of team success. This is not the case with Syracuse's defensive performance on third down.
Heading into Saturday's encounter with Connecticut, the Orange rank second nationally behind only Miami (Fla.) in third-down conversion percentage defense. Syracuse has held the opposition to a .190 rate, based on eight conversions in 42 attempts. Miami's mark is .163 (7-of-43).
The Orange defensive unit excelled last Saturday against Florida State, limiting the Seminoles to 1-of-14 (.071) in the 30-7 victory. FSU did not convert a third-down opportunity until the fourth quarter.
Syracuse has improved its defensive percentage in each of its three seasons under Coach Dino Babers. In 2016, the Orange ranked 82nd (.414). The following season, the group shaved its percentage and rose to 13th (.311) in the FBS ranks. Three games into the 2018 campaign, Syracuse is No. 2.
WAS IT JIM BROWN? FLOYD LITTLE? ERNIE DAVIS? LARRY CSONKA? WALTER REYES? ...Â
Syracuse's football program could make a strong argument for nickname "Running Back U" after a run of standout ball carriers who wore Orange in the 1950s and 1960s.
Jim Brown, Ernie Davis, Larry Csonka and Floyd Little each ran their way into the College Football Hall of Fame. Brown, Csonka and Little received membership in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as well.
This leads to an interesting trivia question. Who is Syracuse's all-time leading rusher?
The answer: None of the above. It's Joe Morris.
Morris had a remarkable career at Syracuse and in the NFL. He will be honored this Saturday when the University retires his jersey during halftime against Connecticut. Morris, who holds or shares 15 school records, joins Csonka (39), John Mackey (88), Donovan McNabb (5) and Don McPherson (9) in the exclusive company of players who have had their jersey retired. The uniform recognition also includes No. 44, which has been worn by a number of Syracuse standouts, including Brown, Davis and Little.
Morris wore No. 47 during his Syracuse tenure. He remains the program leader in single-game (252 yards), single-season (1,372) and career (4,299) rushing yards. His rushing yards per game (113.1) and 100-yard games (22) also occupy the top spot in the Orange record book.
Following his college career, Morris was selected in the second round of the 1982 NFL Draft. He spent seven seasons with the Giants and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection. Morris was also a member of the Giants first Super Bowl-winning team in 1986.
Morris also had two siblings attend Syracuse and play football – brothers Mike and Larry.
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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