Photo by: Charles Wainwright
Orange Extra: Opportunity Knocks
9/11/2019 10:00:00 AM | Football
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – If you subscribe to the theory in athletic competition that each contest is an opportunity, Syracuse has a steak-like chance on its plate. Make that filet mignon.
OPPORTUNITY FOR THE ORANGE
A program with Syracuse's pedigree and long history has been up against No. 1 before. It's a daunting task for whichever squad is testing its metal versus the nation's top-ranked team.
The Associated Press poll first appeared in 1936. Since that time, Syracuse has tangled with the weekly poll leader 11 times. The results from those encounters are pretty close to what the prognosticators of the day would have forecast -- The Orange came out on top once in 11 attempts.
Longtime Syracuse fans remember the "one" like it was yesterday. It wasn't quite yesterday – Sept. 29, 1984 to be exact – when the Orange toppled No. 1 Nebraska 17-9 at the Dome. The triumph ended the Cornhuskers' 23-game, regular-season winning streak. Clemson comes to town with a 17-game winning stretch to its credit and has not lost a regular-season game since the last time the Tigers visited the Dome on Oct. 13, 2017.
There's added spice in the mix for this Saturday's pairing with the Tigers. Clemson's visit to Central New York marks the 10th time the Orange will wrestle with the defending national champions. It's happened twice in the last six years. Syracuse has posted a 3-7 record when facing the previous season's title winner.
It happened two seasons ago when Syracuse emerged from that aforementioned Dome date with Clemson a 27-24 winner.
What better way to rebound from a defeat than to upset the current No. 1 club that also happens to be the 2018 title winner?
OPPORTUNITY FOR ORANGE NATION
Do you like to the spotlight on you when you perform? Saturday in Syracuse will be lit up like Times Square. The game will be televised by ABC with an all-star announcer lineup that includes our own Sean McDonough '84, along with Kirk Herbstreit and Maria Taylor. For those who can't attend in person, ABC presents as accessible a nation-wide look as a college football game can get.
Here's where the Loud House comes in. Many have heard stories of how noisy it can get in the Dome. On Saturday, they will be able to see for themselves. Brisk ticket sales have all but sold out the venue. It's expected to be the largest Dome crowd since the season opener against Tennessee in 1998.
Save your voices, Syracuse fans! Be sure to be at your best when Saturday evening rolls around.
OPPORTUNITY FOR TOMMY DEVITO
Syracuse signal-caller Tommy DeVito has been called a "gunslinger" by some, a tip of the hat to his willingness to try just about any throw in the book. Against the Tigers, he will be testing his abilities against a defensive unit that is as opportunistic as they come. Clemson ranks eighth in interceptions (3) and sixth in the fumble recoveries (3).
DeVito took over starting duties this fall and he showed marked improvement from Week 1 to Week 2. DeVito was 17-of 35 for 176 yards when Syracuse defeated Liberty. His numbers rose dramatically when he set career highs for passing yards (330), competions (28), completion percentage (71.8) and tied his personal-best effort with three touchdown passes at Maryland.
OPPORTUNITY FOR SYRACUSE'S SACK MASTERS
Making Clemson's highly-touted quarterback Trevor Lawrence uncomfortable is the task Syracuse's defense is saddled with. A key to success in that area will be the play of the Orange front line, including defensive ends Kendall Coleman and Alton Robinson.
Coleman averages the most sacks per game (0.86) of any active player since the start of 2018. Robinson is close behind him with a 0.75 mark. They've been a dynamite duo in that time with a combined 22.5 sacks to their credit.
Lawrence is guiding an offense that is ninth nationally in first downs (55) and 14th in red-zone efficiency (.600).
OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE THANKS AND PRAISE
One of the Syracuse program's favorite sons will be honored on Saturday. Tim Green, who was a dominating defensive lineman from 1982-85, will have his jersey retired. He will join Larry Csonka, John Mackey, Donovan McNabb, Don McPherson and Joe Morris on the list of Orange who have received the honor.
It's difficult to single out where Green's greatest achievements have been displayed:
Homecoming Weekend ceremonies will also include a celebration of the 60th anniversary of Syracuse's 1959 national championship team. The first undefeated squad in program history, that year's edition of the Orange finished 11-0 and were victors against Texas 23-14 in the Cotton Bowl. Future Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis helped the Orange lead the nation in both scoring offense (39.0 ppg.) and total offense (451.5 ypg.).
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
OPPORTUNITY FOR THE ORANGE
A program with Syracuse's pedigree and long history has been up against No. 1 before. It's a daunting task for whichever squad is testing its metal versus the nation's top-ranked team.
The Associated Press poll first appeared in 1936. Since that time, Syracuse has tangled with the weekly poll leader 11 times. The results from those encounters are pretty close to what the prognosticators of the day would have forecast -- The Orange came out on top once in 11 attempts.
Longtime Syracuse fans remember the "one" like it was yesterday. It wasn't quite yesterday – Sept. 29, 1984 to be exact – when the Orange toppled No. 1 Nebraska 17-9 at the Dome. The triumph ended the Cornhuskers' 23-game, regular-season winning streak. Clemson comes to town with a 17-game winning stretch to its credit and has not lost a regular-season game since the last time the Tigers visited the Dome on Oct. 13, 2017.
There's added spice in the mix for this Saturday's pairing with the Tigers. Clemson's visit to Central New York marks the 10th time the Orange will wrestle with the defending national champions. It's happened twice in the last six years. Syracuse has posted a 3-7 record when facing the previous season's title winner.
It happened two seasons ago when Syracuse emerged from that aforementioned Dome date with Clemson a 27-24 winner.
What better way to rebound from a defeat than to upset the current No. 1 club that also happens to be the 2018 title winner?
OPPORTUNITY FOR ORANGE NATION
Do you like to the spotlight on you when you perform? Saturday in Syracuse will be lit up like Times Square. The game will be televised by ABC with an all-star announcer lineup that includes our own Sean McDonough '84, along with Kirk Herbstreit and Maria Taylor. For those who can't attend in person, ABC presents as accessible a nation-wide look as a college football game can get.
Here's where the Loud House comes in. Many have heard stories of how noisy it can get in the Dome. On Saturday, they will be able to see for themselves. Brisk ticket sales have all but sold out the venue. It's expected to be the largest Dome crowd since the season opener against Tennessee in 1998.
Save your voices, Syracuse fans! Be sure to be at your best when Saturday evening rolls around.
OPPORTUNITY FOR TOMMY DEVITO
Syracuse signal-caller Tommy DeVito has been called a "gunslinger" by some, a tip of the hat to his willingness to try just about any throw in the book. Against the Tigers, he will be testing his abilities against a defensive unit that is as opportunistic as they come. Clemson ranks eighth in interceptions (3) and sixth in the fumble recoveries (3).
DeVito took over starting duties this fall and he showed marked improvement from Week 1 to Week 2. DeVito was 17-of 35 for 176 yards when Syracuse defeated Liberty. His numbers rose dramatically when he set career highs for passing yards (330), competions (28), completion percentage (71.8) and tied his personal-best effort with three touchdown passes at Maryland.
OPPORTUNITY FOR SYRACUSE'S SACK MASTERS
Making Clemson's highly-touted quarterback Trevor Lawrence uncomfortable is the task Syracuse's defense is saddled with. A key to success in that area will be the play of the Orange front line, including defensive ends Kendall Coleman and Alton Robinson.
Coleman averages the most sacks per game (0.86) of any active player since the start of 2018. Robinson is close behind him with a 0.75 mark. They've been a dynamite duo in that time with a combined 22.5 sacks to their credit.
Lawrence is guiding an offense that is ninth nationally in first downs (55) and 14th in red-zone efficiency (.600).
OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE THANKS AND PRAISE
One of the Syracuse program's favorite sons will be honored on Saturday. Tim Green, who was a dominating defensive lineman from 1982-85, will have his jersey retired. He will join Larry Csonka, John Mackey, Donovan McNabb, Don McPherson and Joe Morris on the list of Orange who have received the honor.
It's difficult to single out where Green's greatest achievements have been displayed:
- A member of Syracuse's All-Century Team, Green accumulated a school record 45.5 sacks.
- He was a two-time Academic All-American and Rhodes Scholarship finalist.
- Green enjoyed a successful eight-year NFL career as a member of the Atlanta Falcons.
- He excelled as a broadcaster, working as a color analyst on NFL telecasts.
- He is an accomplished lawyer.
- Green has authored more than 30 books, including New York Times best sellers "The Dark Side of the Game" and "American Outrage."
Homecoming Weekend ceremonies will also include a celebration of the 60th anniversary of Syracuse's 1959 national championship team. The first undefeated squad in program history, that year's edition of the Orange finished 11-0 and were victors against Texas 23-14 in the Cotton Bowl. Future Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis helped the Orange lead the nation in both scoring offense (39.0 ppg.) and total offense (451.5 ypg.).
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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