Orange Preparing for Home Finale
11/24/2020 8:52:00 AM | Football
The Syracuse football team will host NC State on Saturday, for the home finale.
While the Orange's record isn't what they'd hoped, head coach Dino Babers' team has faced a uniquely challenging season unlike any other head on. While the team's focus remains on the Wolfpack and trying to win each of the next two weeks, Babers has appreciation for his team's diligence and sacrifice that has even allowed the Orange to safely get to the last week in November with football still being played.
"These guys have done a fantastic job," Babers said. "My hat goes off to [Chancellor] Kent Syverud, [Director of Athletics] John Wildhack and the players on this football team that have been able to do this thus far. We're nine games in with an opportunity to go for 10 and 11. Based on everything that has gone on, they've come together and done an amazing job.
"We didn't have the Ws and Ls we wanted, and I get that. But if you look at the people who've played and what they sacrificed, and put all that into a basket, hopefully we can come back in 2021 and have a helluva picnic on it. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Don't lose the faith, because if you lose the faith, you have nothing and I really believe this is all going to turn into a positive."
The challenges due to injuries and opt outs have left Syracuse thin at a number of positions and thrust young players into more prominent roles. With a program record five freshman starters on defense and a true freshman starting at both quarterback and running back, Syracuse players continue to garner valuable game experience.
Some of those freshmen had strong individual performances last time out vs. NC State. Running back Sean Tucker – who's only playing in his sixth game at SU – ran for 93 yards, putting him over 500 on the season. That total ranks sixth among Orange rookies all time. Freshman linebacker Stefon Thompson set a Syracuse rookie record with 4.0 tackles for loss against the Cards, while redshirt-freshman defensive back Garrett Williams continued to impress at cornerback with his acrobatic interception of Micale Cunningham in the first half.
Syracuse will look to see more from its young roster as the Orange host NC State at Noon on Saturday in the home finale.
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While the Orange's record isn't what they'd hoped, head coach Dino Babers' team has faced a uniquely challenging season unlike any other head on. While the team's focus remains on the Wolfpack and trying to win each of the next two weeks, Babers has appreciation for his team's diligence and sacrifice that has even allowed the Orange to safely get to the last week in November with football still being played.
"These guys have done a fantastic job," Babers said. "My hat goes off to [Chancellor] Kent Syverud, [Director of Athletics] John Wildhack and the players on this football team that have been able to do this thus far. We're nine games in with an opportunity to go for 10 and 11. Based on everything that has gone on, they've come together and done an amazing job.
"We didn't have the Ws and Ls we wanted, and I get that. But if you look at the people who've played and what they sacrificed, and put all that into a basket, hopefully we can come back in 2021 and have a helluva picnic on it. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Don't lose the faith, because if you lose the faith, you have nothing and I really believe this is all going to turn into a positive."
The challenges due to injuries and opt outs have left Syracuse thin at a number of positions and thrust young players into more prominent roles. With a program record five freshman starters on defense and a true freshman starting at both quarterback and running back, Syracuse players continue to garner valuable game experience.
Some of those freshmen had strong individual performances last time out vs. NC State. Running back Sean Tucker – who's only playing in his sixth game at SU – ran for 93 yards, putting him over 500 on the season. That total ranks sixth among Orange rookies all time. Freshman linebacker Stefon Thompson set a Syracuse rookie record with 4.0 tackles for loss against the Cards, while redshirt-freshman defensive back Garrett Williams continued to impress at cornerback with his acrobatic interception of Micale Cunningham in the first half.
Syracuse will look to see more from its young roster as the Orange host NC State at Noon on Saturday in the home finale.
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