5 Things to Know: Syracuse vs. Ohio

Syracuse opens the 2021 season on Saturday at Ohio. The game will be broadcast on CBSSN.

Here are five things to know about the matchup:

1. Unfamiliar Foes
It's be almost 100 years since these two teams last played – a 38-0 victory by Syracuse on Oct. 1, 1921. The Orange have never played at Ohio and own a 2-0 series record vs. the Bobcats all-time.

It's the second-longest amount of time between two games in a series between the Orange and its opponent, trailing just 'Cuse's series with Buffalo. Prior to the Orange and Bulls playing in 2000, they had not played since 1899. The Orange went 80 years (1918-1998) between games vs. Michigan, which is the third-longest drought in program history.

2. Record Watch:
A few Orange players are closing in on program records. Taj Harris enters Saturday's game sixth in program history with 135 catches. He's tied with Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison in that regard. He needs five catches to move into sole possession of fifth, trailing Scott Schwedes and Shelby Hill, who have 139 each. Ervin Philips is the all-time leader with 223.

Kicker Andre Szmyt is closing in on the program's career field goals made record. He currently sits as the all-time leader in field goal percentage as well, but needs just three field goals to tie all-time leader Cole Murphy (59). Szmyt is one field goal from moving into a tie for second with John Biskup.

3. Starting Off Strong
Syracuse is 84-43-4 all-time in season openers and is 4-1 under head coach Dino Babers. The Orange have won six-straight non-conference season openers and in total have won six-of-seven.

4. Honoring Floyd
The Orange will wear a special uniform patch this season to honor Syracuse and NFL legend Floyd Little, who passed away this winter.

A three-time All-American for the Orange from 1964-66, Little frushed for 2,704 yards and scored 46 touchdowns. He was also a standout return man who led the nation in all-purpose yards (1,990) and punt return average (23.5) as a junior in 1965. He later went on to play nine seasons with the Denver Broncos, was a five-time Pro Bowl selection, and was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

5. Season Tickets On Sale
Syracuse returns home next week for three-straight games in the Loud House. Season tickets are the best value to catch the Orange this season. Tickets for the 2021 season are on sale now. Visit cuse.com/tickets or call 888-DOME-TIX to purchase. Fans can now purchase season tickets, partial plans and individual game tickets, however the best value for 'Cuse fans to watch the Orange this season remains purchasing a season ticket.

For less than $20 per game, fans can get access to every game of a home slate that features Clemson and Liberty – both of which finished in the top-20 of the 2020 AP Poll – matchups with longtime rivals Boston College and Pitt, an old-BIG EAST reunion against Rutgers, Wake Forest and an in-state showdown with UAlbany. This is the first time Syracuse has hosted seven home games since the 2017 season.

Syracuse University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Taj Harris

Andre Szmyt

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