5 Things to Know: Syracuse vs. Virginia Tech
10/30/2024 3:33:00 PM | Football
Syracuse and Virginia Tech square off in the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday, here's five things to know about the matchup:
1. Homecoming in More Ways Than One
Saturday's game will be the annual Orange Central/Homecoming weekend contest. Alumni back for the weekend can get special discounted tickets here: Orange Central
It'll also be a homecoming of sorts for the Syracuse football team, which has not played at the Dome since Sept. 28. The 35-day stretch without a home game tops last year's run of 34-straight days without a home game and is the longest amount of time away from home in a season since 2008 (also 35 days).
2. ACC Implications
Virginia Tech comes in hot, having won three-straight games. The Hokies (5-3, 3-1 ACC) are currently in fifth place in the conference, with the Orange (5-2, 2-2 ACC) a game behind. Both teams combined to post a 5-1 mark in the month of October, setting up the pivotal matchup to start the final month of the regular season.
3. Return of Old BIG EAST Rivals
Saturday's game will mark just the second time in 22 years that Virginia Tech has visited the Loud House.
Syracuse joined the ACC in 2013, returning the Orange and Hokies to conference opponents. However, Syracuse (Atlantic) and Virginia Tech (Coastal) spent 2013-2021 in different divisions, playing only twice in that span – 2016 in the JMA Dome and 2021 in Blacksburg. After the league removed divisions, the two programs met again in Blacksburg last season.
The two programs have played some remarkable games in the Dome over the last-40 years, with the Orange winning seven of the last eight contests held in Syracuse, many of which in dramatic fashion. In 2016, the Orange bested the then No. 17 Hokies to snap a three-year, eight game drought vs. ranked teams. The last meeting in 'Cuse before that was their final trip as a BIG EAST member in 2002, a 50-42 triple overtime Orange victory over a VT squad that was ranked eighth in the AP Poll at the time.
The 2000 game, a Virginia Tech win, featured one of the top individual defensive performances in school history. NFL and College Football Hall of Famer Dwight Freeney sacked Michael Vick 4.5 times in a 22-14 loss.
Perhaps the most memorable of all was the 1998 meeting though. Virginia Tech entered the Dome once again ranked inside the top-20 and the game would go down to the final play. Donovan McNabb found
Steve Brominski on the famous tight-end throwback as time expired. 'Cuse also claimed the 1996, 1994 and 1992 meetings over the Hokies, which were ranked in the top-20 in two of those matchups.
4. Fan Reminders
As you make your first trip to the JMA Wireless Dome in over a month, don't forget about some key gameday features that are musts for Orange fans. The NYE Auto Quad Walk occurs two hours and 15 minutes prior to kickoff each week. Be sure to head to the quad to cheer on the Orange as they head to the Dome at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday.
'Cuse on the Quad and the Toyota Fun Zone will begin at 9 a.m. this week. With food and fun for all ages, visit Cuse.com/Quad for a detailed schedule of events.
Also be sure to download the 'Cuse app and be ready to click 'lights and trivia' before the team runout and between the third and fourth quarters to participate in the light show. Plus, fans can utilize that same feature for in-game trivia.
5. Tickets Are Still Available
Don't miss your chance to be part of the action in the Loud House on Saturday. Secure your seats today at Cuse.com/Tickets. Â
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1. Homecoming in More Ways Than One
Saturday's game will be the annual Orange Central/Homecoming weekend contest. Alumni back for the weekend can get special discounted tickets here: Orange Central
It'll also be a homecoming of sorts for the Syracuse football team, which has not played at the Dome since Sept. 28. The 35-day stretch without a home game tops last year's run of 34-straight days without a home game and is the longest amount of time away from home in a season since 2008 (also 35 days).
2. ACC Implications
Virginia Tech comes in hot, having won three-straight games. The Hokies (5-3, 3-1 ACC) are currently in fifth place in the conference, with the Orange (5-2, 2-2 ACC) a game behind. Both teams combined to post a 5-1 mark in the month of October, setting up the pivotal matchup to start the final month of the regular season.
3. Return of Old BIG EAST Rivals
Saturday's game will mark just the second time in 22 years that Virginia Tech has visited the Loud House.
Syracuse joined the ACC in 2013, returning the Orange and Hokies to conference opponents. However, Syracuse (Atlantic) and Virginia Tech (Coastal) spent 2013-2021 in different divisions, playing only twice in that span – 2016 in the JMA Dome and 2021 in Blacksburg. After the league removed divisions, the two programs met again in Blacksburg last season.
The two programs have played some remarkable games in the Dome over the last-40 years, with the Orange winning seven of the last eight contests held in Syracuse, many of which in dramatic fashion. In 2016, the Orange bested the then No. 17 Hokies to snap a three-year, eight game drought vs. ranked teams. The last meeting in 'Cuse before that was their final trip as a BIG EAST member in 2002, a 50-42 triple overtime Orange victory over a VT squad that was ranked eighth in the AP Poll at the time.
The 2000 game, a Virginia Tech win, featured one of the top individual defensive performances in school history. NFL and College Football Hall of Famer Dwight Freeney sacked Michael Vick 4.5 times in a 22-14 loss.
Perhaps the most memorable of all was the 1998 meeting though. Virginia Tech entered the Dome once again ranked inside the top-20 and the game would go down to the final play. Donovan McNabb found
Steve Brominski on the famous tight-end throwback as time expired. 'Cuse also claimed the 1996, 1994 and 1992 meetings over the Hokies, which were ranked in the top-20 in two of those matchups.
4. Fan Reminders
As you make your first trip to the JMA Wireless Dome in over a month, don't forget about some key gameday features that are musts for Orange fans. The NYE Auto Quad Walk occurs two hours and 15 minutes prior to kickoff each week. Be sure to head to the quad to cheer on the Orange as they head to the Dome at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday.
'Cuse on the Quad and the Toyota Fun Zone will begin at 9 a.m. this week. With food and fun for all ages, visit Cuse.com/Quad for a detailed schedule of events.
Also be sure to download the 'Cuse app and be ready to click 'lights and trivia' before the team runout and between the third and fourth quarters to participate in the light show. Plus, fans can utilize that same feature for in-game trivia.
5. Tickets Are Still Available
Don't miss your chance to be part of the action in the Loud House on Saturday. Secure your seats today at Cuse.com/Tickets. Â
Â
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