Syracuse Finishes Top-20 in Final Poll
1/21/2025 11:04:00 AM | Football
The Syracuse football team is No. 20 in the final Associated Press Poll, marking the first time the team has concluded the season in the poll since 2018.
Head Coach Fran Brown, the Paul "Bear" Bryant Newcomer Coach of the Year and Steve Spurrier Award winner for first-year coaches, led the Orange to a 10-win season in his first year at the helm of the program. He's the second coach in school history to record a double-digit win campaign in his first year leading the Orange.
All-nine of 'Cuse's victories against FBS opponents came against teams that reached a bowl game this season, including eight in the regular season, which tied Texas for the national lead after the regular season. Brown's squad also went 3-0 against teams receiving votes in the final AP Poll, defeating No. 18 Miami, No. 23 UNLV and Ohio, who received eight votes in Tuesday's poll.
The Orange saw a program-best 12 players earn All-ACC honors in 2024, despite the league now having 17 teams for the first time in conference history. The offense was led by quarterback Kyle McCord, who became the first Syracuse player to finish in the top-10 of Heisman Trophy voting since Dwight Freeney in 2001 after his record-breaking campaign. McCord set a new ACC record for passing yards and school bests for completions, yards, touchdown passes and total offense.
Tight end Oronde Gadsden II earned AP All-America honors, while being part of a receiving corps that was the only school in the country to have four players with 60+ catches. Trebor Pena, Jackson Meeks, Gadsden and LeQuint Allen Jr. all accomplished the feat. Meeks went over 1,000 yards on the season, while Allen was one-of-two players nationally to have over 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards. He led the nation in receptions by a running back.
Defensively, 10 different players came away with an interception on the season, freshman Maraad Watson was named a Freshman All-American by 247Sports, and Fadil Diggs, Justin Barron and Marlowe Wax earned All-ACC honors.
Looking ahead to 2025, Syracuse will play five teams in the final AP poll, including road trips to No. 2 Notre Dame, No. 12 SMU, No. 14 Clemson and No. 18 Miami. The Orange will open the season in Atlanta for the Aflac Kickoff Game vs. No. 9 Tennessee.
The full schedule, including game dates, will be announced in the coming weeks.
Now is the time to purchase your season tickets for next season. Fans can visit Cuse.com/Tickets to renew theirs or purchase new season tickets.
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Head Coach Fran Brown, the Paul "Bear" Bryant Newcomer Coach of the Year and Steve Spurrier Award winner for first-year coaches, led the Orange to a 10-win season in his first year at the helm of the program. He's the second coach in school history to record a double-digit win campaign in his first year leading the Orange.
All-nine of 'Cuse's victories against FBS opponents came against teams that reached a bowl game this season, including eight in the regular season, which tied Texas for the national lead after the regular season. Brown's squad also went 3-0 against teams receiving votes in the final AP Poll, defeating No. 18 Miami, No. 23 UNLV and Ohio, who received eight votes in Tuesday's poll.
The Orange saw a program-best 12 players earn All-ACC honors in 2024, despite the league now having 17 teams for the first time in conference history. The offense was led by quarterback Kyle McCord, who became the first Syracuse player to finish in the top-10 of Heisman Trophy voting since Dwight Freeney in 2001 after his record-breaking campaign. McCord set a new ACC record for passing yards and school bests for completions, yards, touchdown passes and total offense.
Tight end Oronde Gadsden II earned AP All-America honors, while being part of a receiving corps that was the only school in the country to have four players with 60+ catches. Trebor Pena, Jackson Meeks, Gadsden and LeQuint Allen Jr. all accomplished the feat. Meeks went over 1,000 yards on the season, while Allen was one-of-two players nationally to have over 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards. He led the nation in receptions by a running back.
Defensively, 10 different players came away with an interception on the season, freshman Maraad Watson was named a Freshman All-American by 247Sports, and Fadil Diggs, Justin Barron and Marlowe Wax earned All-ACC honors.
Looking ahead to 2025, Syracuse will play five teams in the final AP poll, including road trips to No. 2 Notre Dame, No. 12 SMU, No. 14 Clemson and No. 18 Miami. The Orange will open the season in Atlanta for the Aflac Kickoff Game vs. No. 9 Tennessee.
The full schedule, including game dates, will be announced in the coming weeks.
Now is the time to purchase your season tickets for next season. Fans can visit Cuse.com/Tickets to renew theirs or purchase new season tickets.
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