5 Things to Know: 'Cuse vs. Wagner
9/28/2022 2:12:00 PM | Football
Syracuse hosts Wagner on Orange Central/Homecoming Weekend this week. Here are five things to know about the matchup.
1. Seeking Best Start in 35 Years
'Cuse has an opportunity to post its best start since 1987 on Saturday. A win would move 'Cuse to 5-0 for just the fourth time in the post-WWII era and first time since the unbeaten '87 squad.
Aside from the 11-0-1 1987 team, Syracuse only started 5-0 in 1959 when the Orange finished 11-0 and won the National Championship and 1960 , when the team finished 7-2, since WWII.
The only other times in school history that 'Cuse started 5-0 or better were: 1942, 1935, 1934, 1931, 1925, 1924, 1923 and 1902.
2. HOMECOMING HISTORY
Dating back to 1949, the Orange boast a 42-29 record in Orange Central/Homecoming games. This record excludes the 1979 season when Syracuse University did not sponsor a homecoming game due to construction of the Dome and 2020 when fans were not permitted due to the Pandemic.
Under Coach Babers, the Orange are 3-2 in homecoming games, with wins over Pittsburgh and Boston College, and losses to Clemson and USF.
3. AGAINST THE FCS
Syracuse is 19-0 vs. FCS foes (formerly Division I-AA) since the separation of the two divisions in 1978. The streak includes 18-straight wins at home.
Dino Babers is 24-5 in his career vs. FCS competition, with the streak including an 18-5 mark when he coached at Eastern Illinois, an FCS institution.
4. RED ZONE PERFECTION
Syracuse is 16-for-16 in the red zone this season, one of 13 FBS programs that remain perfect.
Since the NCAA began tracking red zone statistics in 2006, Syracuse's best percentage for a season was .923 in 2015 (36-of-39).
5. PACK THE DOME
Saturday's game is the midpoint of 'Cuse's home schedule, with just three games in the JMA Wireless Dome remaining after Saturday.
Tickets for all-four remaining home games are now on sale at Cuse.com/Tickets or 888-DOME-TIX.
