5 Things to Know: Syracuse vs. Liberty
9/22/2021 11:35:00 AM | Football
Orange ready for Friday night lights
Syracuse hosts Liberty in its final game of a three-game homestand on Friday night. Here's five things to know about the matchup.
1. Stiff Competition
Liberty is only in its third season competing at the FBS level, but Friday's opponent for the Orange is their stiffest test to date, according to the national polls.
The Flames are winners of 15 of their last 16 games, dating back to the 2019 season, and are receiving votes in both polls, sitting one spot outside of the AP Top-25. Their only loss in the stretch is a 15-14 loss at NC State last season.
2. Defense Ramping Up
Much has been made about the Orange offense's 62-point outburst over UAlbany last week, but the SU defense has been just as hot over the three-game start to the season.
'Cuse ranks fourth nationally in total defense, allowing just 225.3 yards per game on the season. The squad has surrendered under 200 yards in back-to-back games.
3. All Eyes on Tucker
Sean Tucker became the first Orange player in program history to have 100+ rushing and receiving yards in the same game on Saturday vs. UAlbany. The star second-year freshman has now appeared in 12 collegiate games – the equivalent of one regular season – and has five games where he has run for more than 100 yards and 993 career rushing yards.
Heading into Friday's game, he ranks is second in the FBS in all-purpose yards (171.67), fifth in rushing TDs (6), ninth in rushing yards (367), 16th in yards per carry (7.20) and 10th in rushing yards per game (122.3).
4. Friday Night Lights
Syracuse is playing in its ninth Friday game under head coach Dino Babers. 'Cuse is currently 6-3 in those contests, including two of the more memorable recent wins – the 2017 upset of No. 2 Clemson and the 2018 Camping World Bowl victory over West Virginia.
Since beating Kansas State in the 2010 Pinstripe Bowl, the Orange are 15-6 (.714) in weekday games.
5. Defend the Dome
The Orange need their 12th man on Friday. As Coach Babers said in his press conference on Monday: "The first message [to the fans] is thank you so much for coming out. Thank you for being a part of it. If you've liked what you've seen, come back. Maybe it's going to be a heck of a game. If you haven't liked what you've seen, come back so you can boo and be heard. The key thing is get in there and come back. Let's fill that place up and let's show people what Syracuse is all about all the way across the nation on Friday night."
Visit cuse.com/tickets or call 888-DOME-TIX to purchase your 2021 'Cuse football tickets. Click here for Syracuse's current public health guidelines and expectations for attendees.
Â
1. Stiff Competition
Liberty is only in its third season competing at the FBS level, but Friday's opponent for the Orange is their stiffest test to date, according to the national polls.
The Flames are winners of 15 of their last 16 games, dating back to the 2019 season, and are receiving votes in both polls, sitting one spot outside of the AP Top-25. Their only loss in the stretch is a 15-14 loss at NC State last season.
2. Defense Ramping Up
Much has been made about the Orange offense's 62-point outburst over UAlbany last week, but the SU defense has been just as hot over the three-game start to the season.
'Cuse ranks fourth nationally in total defense, allowing just 225.3 yards per game on the season. The squad has surrendered under 200 yards in back-to-back games.
3. All Eyes on Tucker
Sean Tucker became the first Orange player in program history to have 100+ rushing and receiving yards in the same game on Saturday vs. UAlbany. The star second-year freshman has now appeared in 12 collegiate games – the equivalent of one regular season – and has five games where he has run for more than 100 yards and 993 career rushing yards.
Heading into Friday's game, he ranks is second in the FBS in all-purpose yards (171.67), fifth in rushing TDs (6), ninth in rushing yards (367), 16th in yards per carry (7.20) and 10th in rushing yards per game (122.3).
4. Friday Night Lights
Syracuse is playing in its ninth Friday game under head coach Dino Babers. 'Cuse is currently 6-3 in those contests, including two of the more memorable recent wins – the 2017 upset of No. 2 Clemson and the 2018 Camping World Bowl victory over West Virginia.
Since beating Kansas State in the 2010 Pinstripe Bowl, the Orange are 15-6 (.714) in weekday games.
5. Defend the Dome
The Orange need their 12th man on Friday. As Coach Babers said in his press conference on Monday: "The first message [to the fans] is thank you so much for coming out. Thank you for being a part of it. If you've liked what you've seen, come back. Maybe it's going to be a heck of a game. If you haven't liked what you've seen, come back so you can boo and be heard. The key thing is get in there and come back. Let's fill that place up and let's show people what Syracuse is all about all the way across the nation on Friday night."
Visit cuse.com/tickets or call 888-DOME-TIX to purchase your 2021 'Cuse football tickets. Click here for Syracuse's current public health guidelines and expectations for attendees.
Â
Players Mentioned
RB
/ FootballBuilt in the 315 | Episode 1: The Foundation
Friday, March 06
Built in the 315 | Episode 1
Friday, March 06
John Wildhack Interview
Wednesday, February 11
Calvin Russell Interview
Tuesday, January 13
