Photo by: Charles Wainwright
Orange Extra: LSU Edition
9/20/2017 7:57:00 AM | Football
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – This week's Orange Extra takes a look at the history of the Syracuse-LSU series, Syracuse's stingy third-down defense, former 'Cuse assistant coach Ed Orgeron and FBS receptions leader Steve Ishmael. The Orange visit Death Valley Saturday for a 7 p.m. ET contest with the 25th-ranked Tigers.
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DOMINANT ON THIRD DOWN
The Orange defensive unit has produced dramatic numbers when it comes to third-down efficiency this season. Syracuse's three opponents to date have been limited to just 7-of-43 third-down conversions, a success rate of 16.3 percent. The numbers are good enough to rank Syracuse sixth nationally.
Central Connecticut State was only converted 1-of-15 on third down in the season opener. The following week, Middle Tennessee managed a 3-of-12 rate. Syracuse held Central Michigan to 3-of-16 third-down conversions last Saturday.
Michigan leads the country in third-down conversion percentage defense, having held its foes to 3-of-28 (.107).
SYRACUSE'S HISTORY WITH THE TIGERS
Syracuse and LSU have met three times previously. Two of the matchups were in bowl games.
The first tussle between the two was in the 1965 Sugar Bowl, a game played in New Orleans. Tiger kicker Doug Moreau helped LSU to a 13-10 by kicking a tie-breaking, 28-yard field goal with 3:48 left. Syracuse led 10-2 after one quarter thanks to a 23-yard field goal by Roger Smith and the return of a blocked kick by Brad Clarke for a touchdown. Moreau, who was also a skilled receiver, helped knot the score with a 57-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter.
The Orange and LSU did not play again until the 1989 Hall of Fame Bowl in Tampa. Robert Drummond ran for 122 yards and two touchdowns to help Syracuse defeat the SEC co-champions 23-10. David Holmes had two interceptions for the Orange.
The initial regular-season contest between the two programs came during the 2015 season. LSU, ranked eighth nationally at the time, earned a 34-24 Dome victory. Zack Mahoney completed 16-of-38 passes for 154 yards and threw three second-half touchdowns for Syracuse.
LSU LIKES PLAYING ITS OWN YARD
LSU has not been a congenial host when it comes to football. In fact, the Tigers have been down-right rude.
LSU has not lost a non-conference game at spacious Tiger Stadium since it was upset by UAB on Sept. 23, 2000. The streak has reached 48 wins heading into Saturday night's engagement with Syracuse. The streak is tied for the fifth-longest in the history of college football. Harvard's 55-game streak in the late 1800s is the record.
REUNITING WITH COACH 'O'
LSU head coach Ed Orgeron has worked for a number of prominent college football programs during his career. Among his stops on the way to being hired as the Tigers' grid boss was a stint at Syracuse.
Orgeron was the defensive line coach under Paul Pasqualoni with Orange from 1995-97. It was a productive time for the Orange as Syracuse was 27-10 and finished each season ranked in the top 25. Syracuse earned a bowl-game invitation all three years.
Orgeron made head-coaching stops at Mississippi (2005-07) and Southern Cal (2013, interim). His experience as a college assistant coach included tenures with Northwestern State (La.), McNeese State, Arkansas, Miami (Fla.), Nicholls State, Southern Cal, Tennessee and LSU. He's also coached in the NFL as an assistant with the New Orleans Saints.
Since 1986, Orgeron has been with programs who have made 18 bowl appearances.
TRYING TO "CATCH UP" TO ISHMAEL
Steve Ishmael totaled eight catches for 139 yards against Central Michigan to maintain the top spot among FBS performers in receptions per game (11.3) and total catches (34). He is the only player averaging double-digit catches.
Ishmael is also tied for sixth in receiving yards per game with an average of 129.7.
He has opened the season with three straight 100-yard receiving games and in the process became the seventh Syracuse performer to achieve the feat, joining Amba Etta-Tawo, Marvin Harrison, Tommy Kane, Alec Lemon, Rob Moore and Marcus Sales.
NCAA FBS RECEPTIONS PER GAME
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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DOMINANT ON THIRD DOWN
The Orange defensive unit has produced dramatic numbers when it comes to third-down efficiency this season. Syracuse's three opponents to date have been limited to just 7-of-43 third-down conversions, a success rate of 16.3 percent. The numbers are good enough to rank Syracuse sixth nationally.
Central Connecticut State was only converted 1-of-15 on third down in the season opener. The following week, Middle Tennessee managed a 3-of-12 rate. Syracuse held Central Michigan to 3-of-16 third-down conversions last Saturday.
Michigan leads the country in third-down conversion percentage defense, having held its foes to 3-of-28 (.107).
SYRACUSE'S HISTORY WITH THE TIGERS
Syracuse and LSU have met three times previously. Two of the matchups were in bowl games.
The first tussle between the two was in the 1965 Sugar Bowl, a game played in New Orleans. Tiger kicker Doug Moreau helped LSU to a 13-10 by kicking a tie-breaking, 28-yard field goal with 3:48 left. Syracuse led 10-2 after one quarter thanks to a 23-yard field goal by Roger Smith and the return of a blocked kick by Brad Clarke for a touchdown. Moreau, who was also a skilled receiver, helped knot the score with a 57-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter.
The Orange and LSU did not play again until the 1989 Hall of Fame Bowl in Tampa. Robert Drummond ran for 122 yards and two touchdowns to help Syracuse defeat the SEC co-champions 23-10. David Holmes had two interceptions for the Orange.
The initial regular-season contest between the two programs came during the 2015 season. LSU, ranked eighth nationally at the time, earned a 34-24 Dome victory. Zack Mahoney completed 16-of-38 passes for 154 yards and threw three second-half touchdowns for Syracuse.
LSU LIKES PLAYING ITS OWN YARD
LSU has not been a congenial host when it comes to football. In fact, the Tigers have been down-right rude.
LSU has not lost a non-conference game at spacious Tiger Stadium since it was upset by UAB on Sept. 23, 2000. The streak has reached 48 wins heading into Saturday night's engagement with Syracuse. The streak is tied for the fifth-longest in the history of college football. Harvard's 55-game streak in the late 1800s is the record.
REUNITING WITH COACH 'O'
LSU head coach Ed Orgeron has worked for a number of prominent college football programs during his career. Among his stops on the way to being hired as the Tigers' grid boss was a stint at Syracuse.
Orgeron was the defensive line coach under Paul Pasqualoni with Orange from 1995-97. It was a productive time for the Orange as Syracuse was 27-10 and finished each season ranked in the top 25. Syracuse earned a bowl-game invitation all three years.
Orgeron made head-coaching stops at Mississippi (2005-07) and Southern Cal (2013, interim). His experience as a college assistant coach included tenures with Northwestern State (La.), McNeese State, Arkansas, Miami (Fla.), Nicholls State, Southern Cal, Tennessee and LSU. He's also coached in the NFL as an assistant with the New Orleans Saints.
Since 1986, Orgeron has been with programs who have made 18 bowl appearances.
TRYING TO "CATCH UP" TO ISHMAEL
Steve Ishmael totaled eight catches for 139 yards against Central Michigan to maintain the top spot among FBS performers in receptions per game (11.3) and total catches (34). He is the only player averaging double-digit catches.
Ishmael is also tied for sixth in receiving yards per game with an average of 129.7.
He has opened the season with three straight 100-yard receiving games and in the process became the seventh Syracuse performer to achieve the feat, joining Amba Etta-Tawo, Marvin Harrison, Tommy Kane, Alec Lemon, Rob Moore and Marcus Sales.
NCAA FBS RECEPTIONS PER GAME
| 1. | Steve Ishmael | Syracuse | 11.3 |
| 2. | Linell Bonner | Houston | 9.5 |
| 3. | Cam Phillips | Virginia Tech  | 9.0 |
| James Williams | Washington State | 9.0 | |
| 5. | Darren Andrews | UCLA | 8.7 |
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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Players Mentioned
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Fran Brown Press Conference
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Syracuse Football Postgame Press Conference
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