Preview: Syracuse vs. CCSU

Syracuse (0-0) vs. Central Connecticut State (0-0)
Game Details: Friday, Sept. 1 | 7 p.m.
Location: Carrier Dome | Syracuse, N.Y.
Game Links: Tickets | Listen | Watch | Live Stats
Television: ACC Network Extra
Radio: Syracuse IMG Radio Network
Twitter: @CuseFootball | @Cuse
Syracuse Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats | Notes
CCSU Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats | Notes

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse Orange football team (0-0) begins its 128th season against Central Connecticut State (0-0) on Friday, Sept. 1 in the Carrier Dome. Kickoff is set for 7:04 p.m. with the game airing on ACC Network Extra.

The 2017 campaign marks the second season under the direction of head coach Dino Babers. The Orange return 20 players who started at least six games a year ago, bringing back almost 95 percent of its total offensive yardage, including nearly 90 percent of its ground production and 86.4 percent of its total tackles.

Junior quarterback Eric Dungey leads the offense after setting Syracuse sophomore records for passing yards (2,679) and yards of total offense (2,972) in just nine games in 2016. He already owns or shares 10 school records and has accounted for 37 career touchdowns.

Senior linebackers Zaire Franklin and Parris Bennett anchor the defense. Both are candidates for All-ACC and national honors after finishing with more than 100 tackles apiece in 2016. They are one of the 10 returning linebacking duos in the FBS to have achieved that feat.

ORANGE IN SEASON OPENERS
Syracuse holds an 81-42-4 overall record in season-opening contests. The team has won each of its past three season openers, besting Colgate to open the 2016 season, defeating Rhode Island in its first game of the 2015 campaign and beating Villanova three years ago.

The Orange sport a 69-18-4 mark in season openers at home. Syracuse opened every year at home from 1900-55. During that span, the club went 48-5-2 in season-opening games, including an undefeated 41-0-2 mark from 1900-42.

Last season, Syracuse kicked off the Dino Babers era with a 33-7 victory against Colgate. Babers became the first Orange head coach to win in his debut since Paul Pasqualoni in 1992. Wide receiver Ervin Philips hauled in 14 receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown, matching the Syracuse single-game receptions record set by College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Art Monk versus Navy in 1977.

WEEKDAY WARRIORS
'Cuse owns a 7-5 overall record in 12 weekday games at the Carrier Dome, and has won seven of the last 10 non-weekend Dome clashes since the start of 2011. Prior to the 2011 season, Syracuse had only hosted two weekday Dome games (1989 vs. West Virginia, 2007 vs. Washington). Both were losses.

Overall, the Orange hold a 10-3 mark in weekday games dating back to their 36-34 win against Kansas State in the 2010 Pinstripe Bowl, a game that was played on Thursday, Dec. 30. The team has opened the season on a weekday each of the past three seasons, collecting three victories.

AGAINST FCS FOES
For the fourth consecutive season, the Orange opens the year against an FCS opponent. Syracuse is a perfect 15-0 against FCS foes, formerly Division I-AA, since the separation of major college football programs into two division in 1978. This streak also includes a 14-game win streak inside the friendly confines of the Carrier Dome.

In total, Syracuse has won its past 33 games against current FCS members, a streak that predates the separation into two divisions. The program's last loss to a current FCS team came on Oct. 4, 1958 at Holy Cross, a 14-13 setback.

SCOUTING THE BLUE DEVILS
Central Connecticut State enters its fourth season under head coach Pete Rossomando. In his first three years at the helm of the Blue Devils, Rossomando is 9-25. He touts a 51-38 career head coaching record, which includes five seasons at New Haven.

Last season, CCSU recorded a 2-9 overall record, including a 1-5 mark against Northeast Conference competition. The Blue Devils return 18 total starters from a year ago and were picked to finish fourth in the NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Senior wide receiver Joey Fields is a Preseason All-NEC selection. Fields led the team with 46 receptions for 732 yards and six scores in 2016. He had a catch in every game and at least five receptions in a game six times last season, including each of the last five outings. Senior linebacker Randall Laguerre anchors the CCSU defense as a 2017 Preseason All-NEC honoree. He notched 116 total tackles in 11 games and averaged 10.5 stops per contest in 2016.

SERIES HISTORY
Friday's matchup is the first pairing between Syracuse and Central Connecticut State on the gridiron. Orange opponents are 25-37-1 all-time in their first trip to the Carrier Dome. Since 2009, Syracuse is 5-3 against teams making their first Dome appearance.

The Orange have only played one club from the current Northeast Conference – Wagner. In their only matchup, Syracuse piled up 595 yards of total offense en route to a 54-0 shutout of the Seahawks on Sept. 14, 2013. Quarterback Terrel Hunt connected on 15-of-18 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns.

UP NEXT
Syracuse hosts Middle Tennessee during Legends Weekend on Saturday, Sept. 9. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. Tickets are available online, by phone (888-DOMETIX), at Destiny USA kiosks and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B).

For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Parris Bennett

Eric Dungey

Zaire Franklin

Ervin Philips

Syracuse University Athletics