Orange Look to Carry Momentum into Miami

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Orange (4-3, 2-1 ACC) hit the road to take on the No. 8 Miami Hurricanes (5-0, 3-0 ACC) Saturday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. with the game airing on ESPN. The matchup is Syracuse's second in a row against a top-10 opponent. The Orange took down reigning national champion and second-ranked Clemson last Friday in a game that still has the Syracuse community and the college football world buzzing.

"Everyone was really excited about what we were able to accomplish," said head coach Dino Babers. "It was a fantastic win and it's something the players will be able to share with their grandchildren. They need to enjoy it because when I see them on Tuesday we are going to get back to work."

It was ultimately the Syracuse defense that rose to the occasion on Friday, limiting Clemson to just 17 points (the Tigers other touchdown came via a defensive score) and 317 total yards. The Syracuse pass rush was consistent throughout the game, as four different players recorded a sack, including redshirt junior defensive tackle Chris Slayton, who earned high praise from Babers.

"He plays his position like a grown man in a grown man's league," said Babers. "He is the key to what we do on defense and he is going to be a professional football player."

After coming up just short in games against LSU and NC State in tough road environments, the Orange were ready to put together four quarters of competitive football against Clemson. Syracuse never trailed and edged back in front every time the Tigers tied the score.

"The momentum kept changing," said Babers. "We'd go ahead and they'd come back. The guys never put their heads down and never had any doubt. That's the part that I am most proud about. We kept fighting back."

Babers knows the Orange will be in for another fight Saturday when they take on the Hurricanes. Miami is one of eight unbeaten teams remaining in major college football. The Hurricanes have won their last two games by a total of five points, including a 25-24 home win against Georgia Tech their last time out.

Quarterback Malik Rosier pulls the strings for the Miami offense. In his first year as the starter, Rosier has passed for 1,371 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. Leading rusher Mark Walton injured his ankle and is out for the rest of the season. In his stead the Hurricanes have turned to sophomore Travis Homer who ran for 170 yards and a touchdown against the Yellow Jackets. Homer is averaging 8.4 yards per rush on 45 carries.

The Miami defense is allowing 18.6 points per game, the fourth-best mark in the ACC. Linebacker Shaquille Quarterman and safety Jaquan Johnson sit atop the Miami tackle chart with 35 and 34 stops, respectively.

Like Babers, Miami head coach Mark Richt is in his second season working the sidelines in the ACC. Previously, Richt had a successful 15-year stint as the head coach at Georgia.

"Coach Richt is a guy that has been around for a very long time," said Babers. "He is one of the top coaches. His lineage and the things he has done are solid."

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Players Mentioned

Eric Dungey

Steve Ishmael

Chris Slayton

Syracuse University Athletics