Photo by: Charles Wainwright
Orange Extra: The FCS Crusade
9/25/2019 11:13:00 AM | Football
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse and Holy Cross square off on Saturday, Sept. 28, in a Dome encounter that pairs two old rivals. The contest features the Orange, a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) member, against the Crusaders, who are aligned with the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
ORANGE AGAINST THE FCS
In 1978, Division I college football programs were split into two categories – Division I-A and Division I-AA. Eventually, those classifications were renamed to what currently exists in the form of FBS and FCS programs.
Since the initial split, Syracuse has posted a 17-0 record against FCS opposition. Sixteen of those triumphs have been recorded in the Dome. The lone victory away from the Loud House was a 31-7 triumph over McNeese State in the 1979 Independence Bowl.
It has been commonplace for most FBS programs to schedule one contest with an FCS school in recent years and Saturday marks this season's foray into competition with an FCS team for the Orange.
Holy Cross joined the FCS in 1982. The Crusaders are 3-14 against FBS opposition since that time. Each of the three wins came against Army (1986, 1987 and 2002).
HOLY CROSS'S CRUSADE AGAINST THE ORANGE
Holy Cross not only represents Syracuse's FCS opponent for the fall, but also the most recent of the current FCS teams to beat the Orange. The NCAA Divisions were not split at the time, but on Oct. 4, 1958 the Crusaders defeated Syracuse 14-13 in Worcester, Massachusetts.Â
The gridiron rivalry between the two squads began in 1905. Syracuse won that matchup 16-4 and ultimately claimed 11 of the first 14 meetings with the Crusaders. The Orange have captured the most recent 12 pairings and own an overall 23-5 advantage in the series.Â
Saturday will represent Holy Cross's first appearance in the Dome.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: SYRACUSE SECONDARY VS. CONNOR DEGENHARDT
Syracuse comes into th with an active streak of interceptions in 17 consecutive games. It is the longest current run posted by an FBS program.
The Orange defense is facing junior quarterback Connor Degenhardt, who has yet to throw an interception in 2019. Degenhardt has completed 47-of-90 passes for 565 yards and one score.Â
Syracuse's Saturday wish list most certainly includes an intercepted pass. Along with that streak, the Orange have produced a takeaway in 18 consecutive contests, which represents the third-longest active stretch in the FBS.
The Orange managed to pick off a Western Michigan pass last week despite the absence of starters Andre Cisco and Ifeatu Melifonwu. Each player missed the game because of injury. Safety Antwan Cordy was injured during the game with the Broncos and did not return. Even with those losses, Syracuse managed a theft, this time by safety Eric Coley. It was the first interception of his career.
Coach Dino Babers is hopeful of starting his regular secondary group on Saturday and providing Degenhardt his sternest passing test of the fall.
MATCHUP TO WATCH II: SYRACUSE RUSHING OFFENSE VS. HOLY CROSS DEFENSE
On the other side of the ball, Syracuse's run game will attempt to capitalize on a Holy Cross unit that has yielded an average of 289.3 yards per game this season. The numbers are slightly skewed, as Navy ran the ball 67 times and churned out 428 yards against the Crusaders in the campaign opener.
Syracuse's Moe Neal has been a productive back for the Orange. He's gained 281 yards and scored three touchdowns on 61 carries in 2019. Neal enters the Holy Cross game just five yards away from the career 2,000-yard plateau. It is a feat that only 22 players have accomplished at Syracuse.
Running back Abdul Adams will challenge the Crusader run defense, as well. He has 151 yards in 43 attempts with one touchdown. Quarterback Tommy DeVito flashed his ball-carrying ability versus Western Michigan with runs that covered 60 and 36 yards, respectively. He finished with 85 yards rushing.
Holy Cross will turn to first-year linebacker Jacob Dobbs to help stall the Orange ground game. Dobbs has 25 total tackles and a quarterback sack, this fall.
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
ORANGE AGAINST THE FCS
In 1978, Division I college football programs were split into two categories – Division I-A and Division I-AA. Eventually, those classifications were renamed to what currently exists in the form of FBS and FCS programs.
Since the initial split, Syracuse has posted a 17-0 record against FCS opposition. Sixteen of those triumphs have been recorded in the Dome. The lone victory away from the Loud House was a 31-7 triumph over McNeese State in the 1979 Independence Bowl.
It has been commonplace for most FBS programs to schedule one contest with an FCS school in recent years and Saturday marks this season's foray into competition with an FCS team for the Orange.
Holy Cross joined the FCS in 1982. The Crusaders are 3-14 against FBS opposition since that time. Each of the three wins came against Army (1986, 1987 and 2002).
HOLY CROSS'S CRUSADE AGAINST THE ORANGE
Holy Cross not only represents Syracuse's FCS opponent for the fall, but also the most recent of the current FCS teams to beat the Orange. The NCAA Divisions were not split at the time, but on Oct. 4, 1958 the Crusaders defeated Syracuse 14-13 in Worcester, Massachusetts.Â
The gridiron rivalry between the two squads began in 1905. Syracuse won that matchup 16-4 and ultimately claimed 11 of the first 14 meetings with the Crusaders. The Orange have captured the most recent 12 pairings and own an overall 23-5 advantage in the series.Â
Saturday will represent Holy Cross's first appearance in the Dome.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: SYRACUSE SECONDARY VS. CONNOR DEGENHARDT
Syracuse comes into th with an active streak of interceptions in 17 consecutive games. It is the longest current run posted by an FBS program.
The Orange defense is facing junior quarterback Connor Degenhardt, who has yet to throw an interception in 2019. Degenhardt has completed 47-of-90 passes for 565 yards and one score.Â
Syracuse's Saturday wish list most certainly includes an intercepted pass. Along with that streak, the Orange have produced a takeaway in 18 consecutive contests, which represents the third-longest active stretch in the FBS.
The Orange managed to pick off a Western Michigan pass last week despite the absence of starters Andre Cisco and Ifeatu Melifonwu. Each player missed the game because of injury. Safety Antwan Cordy was injured during the game with the Broncos and did not return. Even with those losses, Syracuse managed a theft, this time by safety Eric Coley. It was the first interception of his career.
Coach Dino Babers is hopeful of starting his regular secondary group on Saturday and providing Degenhardt his sternest passing test of the fall.
MATCHUP TO WATCH II: SYRACUSE RUSHING OFFENSE VS. HOLY CROSS DEFENSE
On the other side of the ball, Syracuse's run game will attempt to capitalize on a Holy Cross unit that has yielded an average of 289.3 yards per game this season. The numbers are slightly skewed, as Navy ran the ball 67 times and churned out 428 yards against the Crusaders in the campaign opener.
Syracuse's Moe Neal has been a productive back for the Orange. He's gained 281 yards and scored three touchdowns on 61 carries in 2019. Neal enters the Holy Cross game just five yards away from the career 2,000-yard plateau. It is a feat that only 22 players have accomplished at Syracuse.
Running back Abdul Adams will challenge the Crusader run defense, as well. He has 151 yards in 43 attempts with one touchdown. Quarterback Tommy DeVito flashed his ball-carrying ability versus Western Michigan with runs that covered 60 and 36 yards, respectively. He finished with 85 yards rushing.
Holy Cross will turn to first-year linebacker Jacob Dobbs to help stall the Orange ground game. Dobbs has 25 total tackles and a quarterback sack, this fall.
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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