'Cuse Football Returns Saturday vs. Ohio - Syracuse University Athletics (2024)

SYRACUSE vs. OHIO

ORANGE OPEN 135th GRIDIRON CAMPAIGN AGAINST OHIO
• Syracuse opens the season in the JMA Wireless Dome vs. Ohio on Aug. 31.
• The game will air on ACC Network, with Chris Cotter (PxP), Mark Herzlich (analyst) and Coley Harvey (reporter) on the call.
• The Orange start the season in the month of August for the first time since 2019.
• Syracuse is going for its 10th win in the last 11 years in its season opener. The 2020 road opener at North Carolina is the lone exception in the previous 10 season.

FAN INFORMATION
• Saturday's game is presented by Perry's Ice Cream.
• The Toyota Fun Zone and 'Cuse on the Quad opens at 12:30 a.m. Fun for all ages, food and beverage options and meet and greet opportunities with other SU teams are just part of the action on game day. New this year will be the NYE Auto Quad Walk. A tradition head coach Fran Brown wants to bring back - members of the Syracuse football team will make their way through the quad in front of Hendricks Chapel two hours and 15 minutes prior to each home game. Fans are encouraged to line the route and cheer on the team as they make their way into the Dome. Saturday's quad walk will be at 1:15 p.m. VisitCuse.com/Quadfor a list of all the events happening prior to kickoff.
• Make sure you update the 'Cuse App on your mobile device this weekend in order to take part in the Dome light show, in game trivia and other fan-friendly initiatives.
• Tickets are still available. VisitCuse.com/Ticketsto get yours.
• Other fan reminders: The clear bag policy remains in effect for all JMA Dome events. VisitCuse.com/ClearBagto ensure your bag is in compliance.Mobile ticketingalso remains in effect this season as well as cashless concession stands. For comprehensive JMA Dome policies or FAQs, visitCuse.com/Dome. The building has undergone significant upgrades and fans will notice new section numbering when finding their seats this season. Visit Cuse.com/DomeMapfor more info.

ORANGE IN SEASON OPENERS

• Syracuse holds an 87-43-4 record in season-opening contests.
• The team has won nine of its past 10 season openers, defeating Colgate (2023), Louisville (2022), Ohio (2021), Liberty (2019), Western Michigan (2018), Central Connecticut State (2017), Colgate (2016), Rhode Island (2015) and Villanova (2014). The only blemish was a loss at North Carolina in the 2020 opener.

ORANGE IN HOME OPENERS

• Syracuse is 94-34-4 in home openers – 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 season when Syracuse did not play a home game.
• Since the Dome opened in 1980, Syracuse is 25-19 in home starters.
• Syracuse has won nine of its last-11 home openers.
• It marks the second-straight year and third time in the past four seasons that 'Cuse has opened its home slate vs. a non-conference opponent.

SERIES HISTORY

• Syracuse and Ohio will meet for the fourth time and second since 2021. The Orange have won the previous three meeting between the squads.
• Saturday's game will be the third time the Orange have hosted the Bobcats, but it will be the first meeting in the JMA Wireless Dome. The 1916 and 1921 contests were played at Archbold Stadium.

LAST TIME VS. OHIO

• Syracuse scored an offensive and defensive touchdown in the first quarter on its way to a 29-9 victory at Ohio in the 2021 season opener.
• RB Sean Tucker rushed for 181 yards on 25 carries and one touchdown.
• LB Mikel Jones led the 'Cuse defense with 10 tackles.
• The Orange held the Bobcats to just three field goals and Jones and LB Marlowe Wax recorded a tackle in the Ohio endzone for a safety on the Bobcats' second possession.
• QB Kurtis Rourke completed 21-of-28 passes for 142 yards for Ohio.

WELCOME ABOARD

• QB Kyle McCord dons the orange for the first time in the season opener against Ohio.
• McCord, who transferred to Syracuse from Ohio State last spring, is coming off a career year for the Buckeyes.
• The Mt. Laurel, New Jersey native threw for 3,170 yards last season, which ranked second in the Big Ten and 28th in the nation. In addition, his 24 touchdown passes also ranked 23rd nationally.
• His 13.84 passing yards per completion led the Big Ten and ranked 13th in the nation.
• McCord earned All-Big Ten Third Team honors.

A WIN WOULD …

• Give head coach Fran Brown a victory in his head coaching debut.
• Mark Syracuse's fourth-consecutive victory in its season opener and 10th win in the past 11 season openers.
• Give Syracuse its 755th all-time victory (includes 11 wins from 2004-06 that were vacated by the NCAA). The Orange currently rank 21st on the FBS ledger of winningest programs. Syracuse is one of 34 FBS schools to have accumulated 700+ wins.

'Cuse Football Returns Saturday vs. Ohio - Syracuse University Athletics (2024)

References