Babers on Middle Tennessee: 'It's Going to be a Heckuva Chess Match'

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Orange host Middle Tennessee on Saturday in in the second game of a three-game homestand to start the season. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra. Syracuse is coming off a 50-7 rout of Central Connecticut State and looks to carry that momentum into this weekend's game against the Blue Raiders.

"Middle Tennessee and Coach Stockstill played a fantastic opponent in Vanderbilt, but the game didn't go their way," said Syracuse head coach Dino Babers. "Their linebackers are the strength of their defense and they have an outstanding corner in their secondary. They are a very good football team and were a bowl team last year."

The matchup is unique in the fact that current Middle Tennessee defensive coordinator Scott Shafer served as the Orange's head coach 2013-15 and was the program's defensive coordinator before that. He recruited and coached many players still on the roster, including Eric Dungey, Steve Ishmael, Ervin Philips, Zaire Franklin, Antwan Cordy and Parris Bennett.

"I think it's going to be a heckuva chess match," Babers said. "It's going to be a great exam. It's going to be tough (because) you don't know what the questions are on it. The best thing I can do is get a good night's sleep and show up with a clear mind so I can adjust and improvise."

"It's a huge advantage that he knows our players. "What he doesn't know is what has happened since he's left, but he will have a great feel for this football team and I think that he will come up with a fabulous game plan based off the personnel."

One of those players, Dungey was electric for the Orange against Central Connecticut State, throwing for 328 yards and three touchdowns in addition to rushing for two scores. The junior moved into seventh on Syracuse's career list with 42 touchdowns responsible for and tied Ryan Nassib for the school record with his seventh 300-yard passing game.

"From a quarterback standpoint, it was the best game Dungey has ever played here," Babers said. "He was operating at a very high level. He just needs to keep developing and be around for 12 games. If he can affect a game like that, imagine how he can affect a whole season."

During the Middle Tennessee game, Syracuse will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1987 football team that went undefeated and finished fourth in the nation. Many members of the squad will be returning to the Dome for the festivities, including team captains Don McPherson and Paul Frase.

"I'm really excited about what's going to be happening at the end of the first quarter during the game," Babers said. "The players always hear what that team did and the things they went through. It's a link to the past and I think they will appreciate what's going on."

Tickets for the game start at $25 are and are available online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) 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).

Syracuse University Athletics

Babers on Middle Tennessee: 'It's Going to be a Heckuva Chess Match'

Players Mentioned

Parris Bennett

Antwan Cordy

Eric Dungey

Zaire Franklin

Steve Ishmael

Ervin Philips

Related Videos