5 Things to Know: Syracuse vs. Virginia Tech
10/20/2021 10:15:00 AM | Football
Syracuse and Virginia Tech square off at Lane Stadium on Saturday, here's five things to know about the Orange's next contest:
1. Close Calls
Syracuse enters Saturday's game having played in four-straight games decided by three points or less. Each of which was decided by a scoring opportunity in the final minute of regulation or overtime.
This is just the second time in program history that four-or-more games in a single season have been decided by three points or less. Four games in 1981 were decided by a field goal or less, but they were not consecutive. It's also the sixth time in program history that four-or-more consecutive games have been one possession (eight points or less) decisions. The prior streaks came in 1922 (4), 1927 (4), 1953 (4), 1993 (4), 1995 (5) and 2017 (4).
In the modern era (post-WWII), the program record for most one-possession games in a single season is six. Most recently, six games in 2011 were decided by a single score or less. Prior to that, it was also done in 1994, 1971 and 1950.
2. Mid-Season All-Americans
A bevy of Syracuse players are garnering mid-season All-America accolades this week.
Most notably, Sean Tucker and Cody Roscoe were named to the AP Midseason All-America team. The AP only does one first team at the mid-year mark. Only Alabama has more selections than the Orange duo. 'Cuse is tied with Georgia and Iowa for second.
The Athletic also had Tucker on its midseason All-America team. He earned second team honors.
Duce Chestnut has been named to a pair of freshman All-America teams this week, earning ESPN and The Athletic honors.
3. Rekindling a Rivalry
Syracuse and Virginia Tech spent more than a decade as the heavyweights of the old BIG EAST conference, meeting annually from 1992-2003, before the Hokies left for the ACC. The Orange ultimately joined them in 2013.
It's a series that was filled with memorable moments, including McNabb to Brominski to win it, Dwight Freeney setting the program's single-game sack record by bringing down Michael Vick 4.5 times in 2000. Despite now being in the same conference for nine seasons, Syracuse is making its first trip to Lane Stadium as an ACC squad, and first since that final BIG EAST contest in 2003. The Orange's last win at Virginia Tech was in 2001, when 'Cuse defeated the then No. 5 Hokies 22-14.
4. 1,000-Yard Watch
Sean Tucker enters Saturday's game 52 yards shy of becoming the first back in a decade to go over the 1,000-yard rushing mark for a season. Through seven games this year, he's already 20th on the program's single-season rushing ledger with 948 yards – it's the best seven-game start to a season by a running back in program history.
If Tucker runs near his season average of 135 yards per game, he'd break into the top-10 all time and have some breathing room to spare on Floyd Little's 1,065 yard mark in 1965, which currently ranks 10th.
5. Back Home Next Week
'Cuse only has two home games left this season, one of which comes next week against longtime rival Boston College.
It'll be Orange Central/Homecoming weekend in 'Cuse. Fans can get tickets now at Cuse.com/Tickets.
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1. Close Calls
Syracuse enters Saturday's game having played in four-straight games decided by three points or less. Each of which was decided by a scoring opportunity in the final minute of regulation or overtime.
This is just the second time in program history that four-or-more games in a single season have been decided by three points or less. Four games in 1981 were decided by a field goal or less, but they were not consecutive. It's also the sixth time in program history that four-or-more consecutive games have been one possession (eight points or less) decisions. The prior streaks came in 1922 (4), 1927 (4), 1953 (4), 1993 (4), 1995 (5) and 2017 (4).
In the modern era (post-WWII), the program record for most one-possession games in a single season is six. Most recently, six games in 2011 were decided by a single score or less. Prior to that, it was also done in 1994, 1971 and 1950.
2. Mid-Season All-Americans
A bevy of Syracuse players are garnering mid-season All-America accolades this week.
Most notably, Sean Tucker and Cody Roscoe were named to the AP Midseason All-America team. The AP only does one first team at the mid-year mark. Only Alabama has more selections than the Orange duo. 'Cuse is tied with Georgia and Iowa for second.
The Athletic also had Tucker on its midseason All-America team. He earned second team honors.
Duce Chestnut has been named to a pair of freshman All-America teams this week, earning ESPN and The Athletic honors.
3. Rekindling a Rivalry
Syracuse and Virginia Tech spent more than a decade as the heavyweights of the old BIG EAST conference, meeting annually from 1992-2003, before the Hokies left for the ACC. The Orange ultimately joined them in 2013.
It's a series that was filled with memorable moments, including McNabb to Brominski to win it, Dwight Freeney setting the program's single-game sack record by bringing down Michael Vick 4.5 times in 2000. Despite now being in the same conference for nine seasons, Syracuse is making its first trip to Lane Stadium as an ACC squad, and first since that final BIG EAST contest in 2003. The Orange's last win at Virginia Tech was in 2001, when 'Cuse defeated the then No. 5 Hokies 22-14.
4. 1,000-Yard Watch
Sean Tucker enters Saturday's game 52 yards shy of becoming the first back in a decade to go over the 1,000-yard rushing mark for a season. Through seven games this year, he's already 20th on the program's single-season rushing ledger with 948 yards – it's the best seven-game start to a season by a running back in program history.
If Tucker runs near his season average of 135 yards per game, he'd break into the top-10 all time and have some breathing room to spare on Floyd Little's 1,065 yard mark in 1965, which currently ranks 10th.
5. Back Home Next Week
'Cuse only has two home games left this season, one of which comes next week against longtime rival Boston College.
It'll be Orange Central/Homecoming weekend in 'Cuse. Fans can get tickets now at Cuse.com/Tickets.
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