5 Things to Know: 'Cuse vs. UConn
9/3/2025 3:07:00 PM | Football
The wait is almost over for Syracuse football fans. At Noon on Saturday, the Orange return to the Loud House to face UConn for the Home Opener. Here's five things to know about the matchup.
1. Full Day of Fun Awaits
'Cuse on the Quad and the Toyota Fun Zone kicks off a full day of activities in and around the JMA Wireless Dome for fans, beginning at 9 a.m.
The quad features local food trucks, additional food and beverage options (both non-alcoholic and alcoholic for those of legal consumption age), lawn games, inflatables, the Otto's Kids Cub Zone – which features face painting by the dance team and photo opportunities with Otto for children – performances by the Syracuse marching band and more!
Be sure to arrive early, as you'll want to secure your spot for the NYE Auto Quad Walk to cheer on the team as they make their way to the Dome. The Quad Walk is approximately 2:15 prior to kickoff each week and will be at 9:45 a.m. for Saturday's game. Fans are encouraged to be in place by 9:35 a.m. along the route. Each game will have a collectible NYE Auto Quad Walk game pin this season and will be distributed beginning at 9 a.m. in front of Hendrick's Chapel. Be there early to get yours and try to collect all-six this season.
2. Northeast Battle
UConn and Syracuse have met 13 times previously, with the Orange holding a slight series edge at 7-6. The two teams are both coming off strong seasons and enter Saturday's game with evenly matched 10-4 records since the beginning of the 2024 season.
UConn defeated Central Connecticut State in its opener, while the Orange are looking to bounce back from a loss to No. 24 Tennessee in the Aflac Kickoff Game. It's the second year in a row the two programs have met in the Dome, with Syracuse winning last year's contest 31-24.
3. Use Waze and Arrive Early
An upgraded navigation option is available to get to the Dome. Syracuse University will utilize the Waze app to provide traffic updates on the routes around the venue and visit Cuse.com/Dome for GPS directions to your specific lot. Fans are encouraged to download the app and use it to view the quickest route to parking lots in real time. Fans can now purchase parking in advance for the Skytop Lot here.
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The Dome is transitioning to mobile parking passes for select lots this season. Download your yellow or purple digital parking pass in advance and add it to your mobile wallet. Have your pass ready to scan on your mobile device before arriving at your lot to ensure efficient entry and prevent traffic delays.
For more information on parking, visit Cuse.com/Dome.
4. Â Be There and Be Loud
Tickets are still available at Cuse.com/FootballTickets for Saturday's opener. A very limited number of lower bowl tickets remain this season. The only way to secure your seats for all-six home games in the 100-level is to purchase season tickets.
Act today to be part of the action and help impact the game in the Loud House!
5. Orange in Openers
Syracuse is 95-34-4 all-time in home starters – a record that excludes the 1979 season when the Orange played all their games on the road due to the construction of the Dome, and the 1889 campaign, where 'Cuse did not play a home game.
Since the Dome opened in 1980, the Orange are 26-19 in home openers, a mark that includes being victors in 10 of their last-12.
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1. Full Day of Fun Awaits
'Cuse on the Quad and the Toyota Fun Zone kicks off a full day of activities in and around the JMA Wireless Dome for fans, beginning at 9 a.m.
The quad features local food trucks, additional food and beverage options (both non-alcoholic and alcoholic for those of legal consumption age), lawn games, inflatables, the Otto's Kids Cub Zone – which features face painting by the dance team and photo opportunities with Otto for children – performances by the Syracuse marching band and more!
Be sure to arrive early, as you'll want to secure your spot for the NYE Auto Quad Walk to cheer on the team as they make their way to the Dome. The Quad Walk is approximately 2:15 prior to kickoff each week and will be at 9:45 a.m. for Saturday's game. Fans are encouraged to be in place by 9:35 a.m. along the route. Each game will have a collectible NYE Auto Quad Walk game pin this season and will be distributed beginning at 9 a.m. in front of Hendrick's Chapel. Be there early to get yours and try to collect all-six this season.
2. Northeast Battle
UConn and Syracuse have met 13 times previously, with the Orange holding a slight series edge at 7-6. The two teams are both coming off strong seasons and enter Saturday's game with evenly matched 10-4 records since the beginning of the 2024 season.
UConn defeated Central Connecticut State in its opener, while the Orange are looking to bounce back from a loss to No. 24 Tennessee in the Aflac Kickoff Game. It's the second year in a row the two programs have met in the Dome, with Syracuse winning last year's contest 31-24.
3. Use Waze and Arrive Early
An upgraded navigation option is available to get to the Dome. Syracuse University will utilize the Waze app to provide traffic updates on the routes around the venue and visit Cuse.com/Dome for GPS directions to your specific lot. Fans are encouraged to download the app and use it to view the quickest route to parking lots in real time. Fans can now purchase parking in advance for the Skytop Lot here.
Â
The Dome is transitioning to mobile parking passes for select lots this season. Download your yellow or purple digital parking pass in advance and add it to your mobile wallet. Have your pass ready to scan on your mobile device before arriving at your lot to ensure efficient entry and prevent traffic delays.
For more information on parking, visit Cuse.com/Dome.
4. Â Be There and Be Loud
Tickets are still available at Cuse.com/FootballTickets for Saturday's opener. A very limited number of lower bowl tickets remain this season. The only way to secure your seats for all-six home games in the 100-level is to purchase season tickets.
Act today to be part of the action and help impact the game in the Loud House!
5. Orange in Openers
Syracuse is 95-34-4 all-time in home starters – a record that excludes the 1979 season when the Orange played all their games on the road due to the construction of the Dome, and the 1889 campaign, where 'Cuse did not play a home game.
Since the Dome opened in 1980, the Orange are 26-19 in home openers, a mark that includes being victors in 10 of their last-12.
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