Orange Look To Liberty Matchup
10/12/2020 3:19:00 PM | Football
The Syracuse football team has seen a number of new faces stepping into different roles this season for a variety of reasons. As Syracuse continues to evaluate the status of some injured players as they prepare for a matchup vs. unbeaten Liberty, Head Coach Dino Babers continues to move forward with a focus on the next opponent and the next man up.
"If you didn't think this was going to be a different type of year then you are really pulling the wool over your eyes," Babers said during his Monday press conference. "It's going to be very unique, and for those who survive they are going to be stronger than ever. The whole thing is not to quit, not to give up, keep your knees bent, be ready to adjust and improvise, and when the smoke clears still be standing. There's some pride in still standing when this thing's over because it's been a wild, wild ride."
Syracuse enters Saturday's non-conference matchup with a 'next man up' mentality and Babers spoke about practices looking different this week as several position players will have a different opportunity while the Orange prepare to face Liberty.
As he's often referenced this season, Syracuse will need to be like the characters in the movie Heartbreak Ridge and adapt and improvise.
Their next opponent comes in boasting a perfect 4-0 mark on the season after opening the season with a 30-24 road win at Western Kentucky and have since picked up wins against Florida International, North Alabama and Louisiana-Monroe since then. Liberty has held each of its last two opponents to one touchdown, most recently throttling ULM 40-7.
"I think they're better," head coach Dino Babers said of Liberty this year compared to what the Orange faced in 2019. "They've got a transfer from Auburn as their quarterback now, a very, very talented athlete. He has a strong arm and very explosive legs – they use him in the run game. They have a tailback that's really good, he runs behind his pads really well and they have an explosive receiver. They are a complete football team and they are very athletic."
Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. EDT on ACC Regional Sports Networks (YES Network locally). Â Â
Syracuse University Athletics remains committed to doing everything it can to support and protect the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes, our staff and the campus and Syracuse communities. All decisions will be science-based and informed by public health and guidance as provided by county, state and public health officials.
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 If fans are permitted to attend games – in some capacity – Syracuse Athletics will announce plans for spectators to secure admission to the events. Fans will be required to sit in their socially-distanced seat locations and wear a face covering.
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"If you didn't think this was going to be a different type of year then you are really pulling the wool over your eyes," Babers said during his Monday press conference. "It's going to be very unique, and for those who survive they are going to be stronger than ever. The whole thing is not to quit, not to give up, keep your knees bent, be ready to adjust and improvise, and when the smoke clears still be standing. There's some pride in still standing when this thing's over because it's been a wild, wild ride."
Syracuse enters Saturday's non-conference matchup with a 'next man up' mentality and Babers spoke about practices looking different this week as several position players will have a different opportunity while the Orange prepare to face Liberty.
As he's often referenced this season, Syracuse will need to be like the characters in the movie Heartbreak Ridge and adapt and improvise.
Their next opponent comes in boasting a perfect 4-0 mark on the season after opening the season with a 30-24 road win at Western Kentucky and have since picked up wins against Florida International, North Alabama and Louisiana-Monroe since then. Liberty has held each of its last two opponents to one touchdown, most recently throttling ULM 40-7.
"I think they're better," head coach Dino Babers said of Liberty this year compared to what the Orange faced in 2019. "They've got a transfer from Auburn as their quarterback now, a very, very talented athlete. He has a strong arm and very explosive legs – they use him in the run game. They have a tailback that's really good, he runs behind his pads really well and they have an explosive receiver. They are a complete football team and they are very athletic."
Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. EDT on ACC Regional Sports Networks (YES Network locally). Â Â
Syracuse University Athletics remains committed to doing everything it can to support and protect the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes, our staff and the campus and Syracuse communities. All decisions will be science-based and informed by public health and guidance as provided by county, state and public health officials.
Â
 If fans are permitted to attend games – in some capacity – Syracuse Athletics will announce plans for spectators to secure admission to the events. Fans will be required to sit in their socially-distanced seat locations and wear a face covering.
Â
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