Orange Set Their Sights on Western Michigan

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse (1-2 ) continues its three-week stretch of home games this Saturday by welcoming Western Michigan (2-1) to the Dome for the first time. Kickoff is set for noon and the game will mark the Orange's first appearance on the recently-launched ACC Network. It's Military Appreciation Day and recognitions of our servicemen and women for their many sacrifices will take place throughout the game.

The Orange are coming off their first home defeat in more than a calendar year, a 41-6 defeat at the hands of the top-ranked Clemson Tigers. Syracuse hung with the Tigers in the first half and trailed 17-6 at intermission. In the third quarter, the Orange defense created two turnovers, but Syracuse could not capitalize and Clemson eventually pulled away.

"We had to score some points to let them feel the pressure to have a chance and it just didn't work out that way," head coach Dino Babers said Monday morning during his weekly press conference.

Babers acknowledged how well he thought the defense played. After allowing two early touchdowns, the unit limited Clemson to three points on its next six possessions. Sophomore Trill Williams and redshirt senior Christopher Fredrick each intercepted Trevor Lawrence, who threw only four picks all of last season.

"They played at an extremely high level and I'm very proud of the players and the defensive coaches for how they all bounced back," Babers said. "I know you can look at the score and say 'How can you say that?' But that's not how we felt in the game, and I don't think that's how the 50,000 people in the Dome felt. I think they played good enough for us to win based on three quarters and I'm just really disappointed that we couldn't find ways to score more points on Clemson's defense."

Heading into Saturday's matchup, Babers is not concerned about his team's mindset after consecutive losses.

"I think we're fine. We have an opportunity to win every game we have from here on out. I think the big thing that we need to make sure of is that Clemson can beat you once, but you don't let Clemson beat you twice," Babers said.

Western Michigan is coached by former Syracuse offensive coordinator Tim Lester. Lester and the Broncos hung 57 points on Georgia State in their last outing, a total that included seven rushing touchdowns.

When Syracuse and Western Michigan hooked up last season, the Orange got out to a 34-7 lead before Western Michigan rallied with 24 third-quarter points to get back within striking distance. Each team scored once in the fourth quarter and the result was a 55-42 Syracuse victory in a game that saw the two sides combine for more than 1,100 yards of offense.

"The opponent we're playing this week proved last year that they're capable of scoring points and they can get us into a shootout," Babers said. "They're not afraid of us and we're expecting an opponent that can beat us. We better come ready to go and ready to play a very, very good football game."

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Christopher Fredrick

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