5 Things to Know: Syracuse vs. Pitt
11/24/2021 3:47:00 PM | Football
Syracuse hosts Pitt on Saturday in the regular season finale as they seek bowl eligibility. Here's five things to know about the matchup.
1. Saluting the Seniors
Orange seniors will will take part in a pregame ceremony to honor the 2021 Orange seniors and will also complete the 'Senior Walk' post-game. Fans are encouraged to arrive at the Dome early and stay post-game to honor the careers of those players playing in their final Dome game.
After the game, regardless of the result, players will briefly return to the locker room before senior players make their way back on the field to walk and interact with fans around the first few rows. The tradition, which Coach Babers brought with him to Syracuse from his time at Hawaii as a player, allows players one-last celebration with the Orange community before leaving the field for good.
2. Record Watch
Sean Tucker became Syracuse's single-season rushing leader last Saturday, checking off the record he'd been on pace to shatter all season. He can add to it this weekend, but there are still a few more records Orange players are in the mix for.
It'd take his second-highest total of the season to get there, but Tucker is 246 yards away from breaking Floyd Little's record for most all-purpose yards in a season. Tucker – who has not returned a punt or a kickoff this season, both of which would count towards all-purpose yards – sits at 1,745. Little had 1,990 in 1965. Only 1,065 of those were rushing yards. Little was the NCAA leader in all purpose yards in 1965.
Tucker is also rapidly rising up the career rushing list at 'Cuse. He moved into 20th place last time out – two yards ahead of the great Jim Brown – with now 2,095 yards. If he hits his season average or more on Saturday, he'd move into the top-15 in program history – which is especially impressive given that he's still a freshman for eligibility purposes.
Garrett Shrader is also closing in on the single-season rushing record by a quarterback. Bill Hurley has 813 rushing yards in the 1979 season. Shrader has 783 heading into this weekend's game. Shrader's next touchdown would also tie him for the most rushing TDs in a season by a quarterback with Eric Dungey (15 in 2018).
3. Defend Our House
'Cuse needs your support in the Loud House this weekend. There are a number of ticket deals in place for this weekend's game, including our Home for the Holidays promotion. During the holiday break, we invite high school and college students to take advantage of a special offer welcoming you to our football game this Saturday for just $10 per ticket! Show your high school or college ID at the Carrier Dome Ticket Booths on game day to receive the special ticket offer (limit 10 per customer, while supplies last). The Orange also have a special deal that runs through Nov. 26 as a Black Friday special. 4 tickets for $44. Click here to purchase.
4. I Am Iron Man
Assuming Airon Servais starts on Saturday – a safe bet considering he's started every game of the last-five seasons – he (along with a trio of other players nationally) will be the first players to start 60-straight games at the FBS level this weekend.
Servais is one-of-two offensive linemen (along with LT Matthew Bergeron) to have started every game on the offensive line this season for the Orange.
'Cuse has used seven different starting OL combinations this year, which is tied for the third-most nationally behind LSU (9) and Florida State (8). The Orange have had a new starting lineup in five-straight games, which trails only Ball State (6) for most consecutive games with a new starting lineup.
5. Old Foes
This is the 77th meeting between Syracuse and Pitt, making the Panthers the Orange's most frequent opponent. The teams have played annually since 1955, in a series that dates back to 1916. Pitt leads the all-time series 41-32-3.
