Syracuse Opens 2020 Spring Practice

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The first bars of "Jesus Walks" came blasting through the Ensley Athletic Center speakers at precisely 10 a.m. Sunday morning.

Kanye West's 2004 hit signaled the start of Syracuse football's fifth spring practice season under head coach Dino Babers. Players wore helmets, jerseys and shorts for the two-hour workout, which featured a series of individual, 7-on-7 and team periods. The practice session was the first of 15 the team will hold over the next six weeks.

"I thought the young men came out here and did a really good job for opening day," Babers said. "There's a lot of communication going on and a lot of things that are different. They're not hearing us, they're listening to us and that's exciting."

The differences Babers referred to are on both sides of the ball, as he hired two new coordinators to spark the Orange following a 5-7 season. Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Sterlin Gilbert arrived from McNeese State in January and defensive coordinator Tony White joined the Orange in February after two years at Arizona State.

For quarterback Tommy DeVito, who tied the Syracuse sophomore record with 19 touchdown passes in 2019, there's one thing he said Gilbert has in abundance – enthusiasm.

"He's very high-energy," DeVito said. "It's like he drank a couple of Monsters [Energy] before [practice]. That's awesome to have in a coach, especially at my position."

White is in the initial stages of installing the 3-3-5 scheme he learned under Rocky Long, first at New Mexico and then at San Diego State. It's a system that junior safety Andre Cisco said the defense is very much looking forward to playing in.

"It protects the pass and protects the run when you fit the play right," Cisco said. "We were excited for the 3-3-5 and we got it back, so at the end of the day we were all happy."

Syracuse will practice twice more this week before adjourning for spring break. Upon their return, the Orange will hold three practices per week leading up to AmeriCU "Spring Football Saturday" on April 18. Details for that event are expected to be announced soon.

The Orange open the 2020 season at Boston College on Sept. 4 and host Colgate in their home opener under the new Carrier Dome roof on Sept. 19.

Season tickets for the Orange's six homes games this fall are on sale now online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) and in person at the Carrier Dome Box Office located in the Ensley Athletic Center. Season tickets start at $125.

The on-sale date for single-game tickets, prices and theme days will be announced later this spring.

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Syracuse University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Andre Cisco

Tommy DeVito

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