Orange Off and Running at Preseason Camp

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse football opened fall camp on Friday with a nearly three-hour workout in helmets and shorts at the Schwartzwalder and Katz Practice Fields. The practice marked the first of 19 camp sessions before the team officially turns its attention to its season-opening opponent – Liberty.

Sporting the No. 22 ranking in this year's preseason Amway Coaches Poll, Syracuse's energy was high as it made its way through the day's itinerary of individual, group and team periods.

"I think Day 1 went really well," redshirt junior offensive lineman Airon Servais said. "Obviously, we have some stuff to work on, but it's the first day, so we're getting those jitters out. It's great to be back on the field."

Servais' unit must replace three starters who combined for more than 3,000 snaps in 2018. Tackles Koda Martin and Cody Conway both signed NFL contracts after last season and guard Aaron Roberts completed his eligibility, as well. Despite those departures, Servais is excited about how Orange offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh has gone about retooling the group.

"I'm really looking forward to building some cohesion on the O-line," Servais said. "We're replacing three guys, so I'm really looking forward to getting a bunch of different reps with the new guys and really getting some chemistry along the front five, so in late August when we start the season we can really attack some people."

Sophomore safety Andre Cisco echoed Servais' assessment of the first day. A preseason All-American and candidate for several of college football's premier awards, Cisco is one of the leaders of an Orange defense that saw its number of takeaways jump from 12 in 2017 to 31 last season.

"I think it was productive. I thought everybody looked good," Cisco said. "A lot of guys are still getting back into it. When I came out here I was feeling a little stiff, but we eased into it."

Fall camp continues tomorrow with another morning practice. The Orange will take Sunday off before returning to the field Monday.

Syracuse opens its fourth season under head coach Dino Babers on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Liberty. The home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 14 versus Clemson.

Season and single-game tickets for Syracuse football are on sale now online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) and in person at the Dome Box Office located in the Ensley Athletic Center. Season tickets start at $125.

Syracuse's single-game ticket allotment for the Clemson game is sold out. The only way to guarantee a seat to watch the Orange and Tigers is through the purchase of a season ticket.

Notes: The Orange roster currently features 109 players ... Syracuse added five walk-ons to the program yesterday – RB Nicky Clifton, LB Ben Honis, LS Joey Kelly, OL Josh Kosciol and WR Sam Warren ... Honis is a local product who attended Jamesville-DeWitt High School and spent four seasons as a wrestler at Cornell ... Senior defensive end Kendall Coleman earned the honor of breaking the team down to end practice.

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Syracuse University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Andre Cisco

Nicky Clifton

Kendall Coleman

Cody Conway

Ben Honis

Joey Kelly

Josh Kosciol

Koda Martin

Aaron Roberts

Airon Servais

Sam Warren

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