Syracuse University
South Florida
Orange Opens BIG EAST Play at USF
10/8/2010 10:10:02 AM | Football
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The Orange travels to Tampa for its BIG EAST opener against USF on Saturday, October 9 (12 p.m., BIG EAST Network). Fans can also listen to the game on Syracuse ISP Sports Network (TK-99.5 FM in Syracuse) and Orange All Access. For game highlights, head coach Doug Marrone's postgame press conference and student-athlete interviews, sign onto Orange All Access following the game.
Syracuse-USF Series
The SU-USF series began in 2005 when USF joined the BIG EAST. USF holds a 5-0 advantage in the series. In 2009, the Orange scored 20 points against the Bulls, marking the most Syracuse has scored in the five meetings between the two teams.
Syracuse in BIG EAST Openers
Since the inception of the BIG EAST football league, Syracuse is 10-8 in conference-opening games. The Orange is 3-2 when those contests are on the road. SU's longest win streak in league starts started in 1998 and stretched through 2001. The Orange has a record of 66-64 in BIG EAST, with three league titles in 1997, 1998 and 2004.
A Strong Start
SU is 3-1 for the first time since 2003. Through four games this year, the Orange is performing statistically at a higher caliber than what the football program has seen in awhile. The first four games in 2010 have shown record highs since 2003 in points per game, 32.2, total offense, 385.5, and rushing offense, 160.2. The statistics also show team high's since 1999 in total defense, 301.1, pass defense, 1695, and scoring defense, 16.2 ppg.
Continued improvement is also notable when comparing statistics from the 2009 season to 2010. The 2010 squad has already produced higher rushing offensive yards (160.2), total offense (225.2), scoring (32.2), average yards per play (6.4), fewer interceptions (2), among many other categories.
A Team of Record Holders
Senior running back Delone Carter found the endzone four times against Colgate, the last Orange game, marking the second time in his career that he had four rushing touchdowns. Carter is now tied for fourth on the Syracuse single-game rushing touchdown record list, and tied for 10th on Syracuse's career record list with 20 career rushing touchdowns. His 2,290 career rushing yards have not gone unnoticed, boosting Carter up to 11th in SU history. He also has seven 100-yard rushing games in his career, including four in 2009, placing him tied for ninth on the school career record list.
Junior starting quarterback Ryan Nassib leads the BIG EAST in pass efficiency with a 151.37 rating, and ranked 25th nationally. He broke the SU record for touchdown passes in one game by throwing five against Maine, connecting with four different receivers in the endzone. In that game, Nassib completed 19-of-28 passes for a career-best 260 yards.
The Orange Strikes Quick …
All six of Syracuse's scoring drives against Colgate on Sept. 25, took less than seven plays and less than three minutes except for one. The Orange had the ball for just 15:34 of the game compared to Colgate's 44:26, and won 42-7. The scoring drives lasted for a combined 11:47.
… And Stops the Run
Under second-year defensive coordinator Scott Shafer, the Orange defense has allowed just four opposing rushers to gain more than 100 yards in the last 16 games. The team defense has also held opposing teams to less than 100 rushing yards per game in eight of its last 16 matchups.
