Babers 'Looking Forward to a Rematch' with Pitt

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – After two road games, the Orange return home to take on Pittsburgh Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Carrier Dome. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. and the game will air on RSN. The matchup is the centerpiece of Syracuse University's Homecoming/Orange Central Weekend, and the Orange are seeking to avenge last season's 76-61 loss to the Panthers, a game that included an FBS-record 20 touchdowns.

"It's going to be a very tough game," head coach Dino Babers said. "They got us last year so we are looking forward to a rematch. It's Homecoming Weekend, so we are going to have a lot of alumni back in town and hopefully we will do a lot better."

Following another close loss to a sound NC State team, the Orange are refocusing and looking to accomplish more in the upcoming weeks for the sake of the seniors whose time at Syracuse is coming to an end.

"We had a really good meeting on Sunday with a bunch of urgency and I think that the older guys understand that their time is running out," said Babers. "We want to send the seniors out the right way because they have done a lot for us."

Two of those seniors are wide receivers Ervin Philips and Steve Ishmael, both of whom have established themselves among the best to play the position at Syracuse. Philips set a new ACC and school record for most receptions in a game with 17 against NC State, while Ishmael recorded his fifth consecutive game with at least 100 receiving yards, tying Amba Etta-Tawo's record. On and off the field, their presence and leadership is invaluable.

"They do a nice job with the young freshman in the group, trying to give them the right work ethic and leave us with the right mental attitude for when these guys graduate six or seven games from now," said Babers. "This way, the receiving corps can carry on the tradition that Amba Etta-Tawo started last year and what those two guys are doing this year."

As Syracuse looks ahead to Pittsburgh, the Orange are preparing to compete against their most frequent rival. Syracuse has played the Panthers 72 times previously in a series that dates back to 1916.

"The (players) understand that when Pittsburgh and Syracuse get together that there are a lot of people watching and that there is a lot of history behind the game," said Babers. "It's going to be a good contest as they are a really good football team."

Pittsburgh is coming off a 42-10 victory over Rice. The Panthers compiled 479 total yards on offense, including 410 yards in the air. Pitt quarterback Max Browne threw four touchdown passes in the game and was named the ACC Offensive Back of the Week for his performance.

The Panthers also feature a dynamic kick returner in Quadree Henderson. The returning consensus All-American leads Pitt in all-purpose yardage (680) and has one punt return for a touchdown. Linebacker Oluwaseun Idowu is the squad's leading tackler with 40 stops. He has five tackles for loss, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Tickets for Saturday's Pitt game start at $35. They are available online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B). The game is being billed as an 'Orange Out' and fans are encouraged to wear their favorite orange Syracuse gear.

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Syracuse University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Amba Etta-Tawo

Steve Ishmael

Ervin Philips

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