5 Things to Know: Syracuse vs. Miami
11/27/2024 10:19:00 AM | Football
Syracuse and No. 8 Miami square off on Saturday in the final regular season game of the season, here's five things to know about the matchup:
1. Biggest Finale in 32 Years
Not since 1992 have two teams with 8+ wins heading into a contest squared off in the JMA Wireless Dome. The last time it happened was also against Miami, when the then No. 1 Hurricanes took down then No. 8 Syracuse 16-10 by stopping the Orange three-yards shy of the end zone on the game's final play.
At no point since in the last 32 seasons have two teams entered the building having each already secured their eighth win.
For the Orange, a win would keep a double-digit win season alive for head coach Fran Brown, something only one coach (Paul Pasqualoni) accomplished in their first season at the helm for Syracuse. Brown currently is tied with C.W.P. Reynolds (1925) for the second-most wins by a first-year head coach at Syracuse.
The Canes enter the game ranked No. 6 in this week's College Football Playoff Rankings, but needing a win to qualify for the ACC Championship game.
2. Pack the Dome
Tickets are still available for Saturday's game at Cuse.com/Tickets. Syracuse Athletics is also running a number of (Pre) Black Friday specials through Saturday. Some of those deals include 35% off select lower bowl tickets, a $10 Wegmans Gift Card with the Thanksgiving Bundle and a discounted Marquee Matchup Bundle that features discounted tickets to both Saturday's game and the Dec. 14 men's basketball game vs. Georgetown.
3. Air Raid
The nation's two top passers will lead high-powered offenses into the Dome on Saturday. Kyle McCord has or is on the cusp of breaking every major single-season quarterback record at Syracuse. On the other sideline sits Cam Ward, who is doing the same at Miami.
The duo lead the nation in nearly every quarterback statistical category this season, with McCord leading the country in passing yards (3,946), yards per game (358.7) and completions (31.0/game). Ward ranks second in yards (3,744) and yards per game (340.4) and is tops nationally in touchdown passes (34).
4. Last Ride
Saturday is your last chance to watch some of your fan favorites in the Dome. Quarterback Kyle McCord, linebackers Justin Barron and Marlowe Wax, safety Alijah Clark, defensive end Fadil Diggs and wide receiver Jackson Meeks are a few of the players exhausting their eligibility after the season and suiting up for their final home game. Plus, record-breaking tight end Oronde Gadsden and running back LeQuint Allen participated in Senior Day festivities last week and have decisions to make about leaving with eligibility remaining to go to the NFL.
5. Record Watch
A few more records are likely to fall this weekend. While quarterback Kyle McCord took down the single-season passing and completions record over the past two games, he needs just one touchdown pass to move into sole possession of the single-season passing touchdowns record.
McCord is also rapidly climbing up the ACC single-season passing ledger. He needs 111 yards from breaking into the top-10 for a single season, which Jameis Winston currently occupies from his Heisman season. Eight of the top-10 single-season passers in league history have finished in the top-10 of Heisman voting, with six making it to New York for the ceremony (two winners, two runner-ups and two third-place finishers).
If McCord tosses another 300-yard game in the mix on Saturday, he'll finish the regular season with the second-most passing yards in league history.
McCord also needs four touchdowns (rushing or passing) to tie the program's single-season touchdowns responsible for record, currently held by Eric Dungey from his 13-game 2018 campaign.
Additionally, LeQuint Allen needs just 15 receiving yards to set a new program record for receiving yards by a running back, passing Duane Kinnon (429 – 1989). Allen's next touchdown moves him into a tie for fourth on the program's single-season touchdowns ledger. Currently with 15, he's one away from having the most since 2003.
Oronde Gadsden is 159 yards shy of breaking his own receiving yards by a tight end record for a single-season. He already owns the career mark and passed his own receptions record last week.
Â
Â
1. Biggest Finale in 32 Years
Not since 1992 have two teams with 8+ wins heading into a contest squared off in the JMA Wireless Dome. The last time it happened was also against Miami, when the then No. 1 Hurricanes took down then No. 8 Syracuse 16-10 by stopping the Orange three-yards shy of the end zone on the game's final play.
At no point since in the last 32 seasons have two teams entered the building having each already secured their eighth win.
For the Orange, a win would keep a double-digit win season alive for head coach Fran Brown, something only one coach (Paul Pasqualoni) accomplished in their first season at the helm for Syracuse. Brown currently is tied with C.W.P. Reynolds (1925) for the second-most wins by a first-year head coach at Syracuse.
The Canes enter the game ranked No. 6 in this week's College Football Playoff Rankings, but needing a win to qualify for the ACC Championship game.
2. Pack the Dome
Tickets are still available for Saturday's game at Cuse.com/Tickets. Syracuse Athletics is also running a number of (Pre) Black Friday specials through Saturday. Some of those deals include 35% off select lower bowl tickets, a $10 Wegmans Gift Card with the Thanksgiving Bundle and a discounted Marquee Matchup Bundle that features discounted tickets to both Saturday's game and the Dec. 14 men's basketball game vs. Georgetown.
3. Air Raid
The nation's two top passers will lead high-powered offenses into the Dome on Saturday. Kyle McCord has or is on the cusp of breaking every major single-season quarterback record at Syracuse. On the other sideline sits Cam Ward, who is doing the same at Miami.
The duo lead the nation in nearly every quarterback statistical category this season, with McCord leading the country in passing yards (3,946), yards per game (358.7) and completions (31.0/game). Ward ranks second in yards (3,744) and yards per game (340.4) and is tops nationally in touchdown passes (34).
4. Last Ride
Saturday is your last chance to watch some of your fan favorites in the Dome. Quarterback Kyle McCord, linebackers Justin Barron and Marlowe Wax, safety Alijah Clark, defensive end Fadil Diggs and wide receiver Jackson Meeks are a few of the players exhausting their eligibility after the season and suiting up for their final home game. Plus, record-breaking tight end Oronde Gadsden and running back LeQuint Allen participated in Senior Day festivities last week and have decisions to make about leaving with eligibility remaining to go to the NFL.
5. Record Watch
A few more records are likely to fall this weekend. While quarterback Kyle McCord took down the single-season passing and completions record over the past two games, he needs just one touchdown pass to move into sole possession of the single-season passing touchdowns record.
McCord is also rapidly climbing up the ACC single-season passing ledger. He needs 111 yards from breaking into the top-10 for a single season, which Jameis Winston currently occupies from his Heisman season. Eight of the top-10 single-season passers in league history have finished in the top-10 of Heisman voting, with six making it to New York for the ceremony (two winners, two runner-ups and two third-place finishers).
If McCord tosses another 300-yard game in the mix on Saturday, he'll finish the regular season with the second-most passing yards in league history.
McCord also needs four touchdowns (rushing or passing) to tie the program's single-season touchdowns responsible for record, currently held by Eric Dungey from his 13-game 2018 campaign.
Additionally, LeQuint Allen needs just 15 receiving yards to set a new program record for receiving yards by a running back, passing Duane Kinnon (429 – 1989). Allen's next touchdown moves him into a tie for fourth on the program's single-season touchdowns ledger. Currently with 15, he's one away from having the most since 2003.
Oronde Gadsden is 159 yards shy of breaking his own receiving yards by a tight end record for a single-season. He already owns the career mark and passed his own receptions record last week.
Â
Â
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
QB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
/ FootballFran Brown Signing Day Press Conference
Wednesday, December 03
Syracuse Football - Signing Day Press Conference
Wednesday, December 03
Syracuse Football Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, November 29
Players Postgame vs. Boston College
Saturday, November 29
