'Cuse Hosts Virginia Seeking 4th-Straight Win

SYRACUSE VS. VIRGINIA
Game Details: 7 p.m. | Friday, Sept. 23
Location: Syracuse, N.Y. | JMA Wireless Dome
Tickets: Get Tickets
Game Links: Watch | Listen | Live Stats
Game Program: Here
Television: ESPN
Radio: Syracuse Sports Network from Learfield
Twitter: @CuseFootball | @Cuse
Syracuse Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Notes
Virginia Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Notes

ORANGE RETURNS TO ACC PLAY AGAINST VIRGINIA
• Syracuse plays its second of four-straight home games Friday when it hosts Virginia. It marks the Orange's longest homestand of the season.
• The game will air on ESPN with Roy Philpott (PxP), Andre Ware (analyst) and Paul Carcaterra '97 (reporter) on the call. Carcaterra was an All-American lacrosse player and member of the 1995 NCAA title team.
• The Orange will try to start the campaign with four consecutive wins for the 17th time in program history and the first time since 2018. 'Cuse began that season with four-straight victories and went on to a 10-3 record and a win in the Camping World Bowl.
• A victory would give Syracuse its first 2-0 start in league play since joining the ACC in 2013. Friday's contest is the ACC opener for Virginia.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
• Syracuse is in action at home on a Friday night for the third time in the last two years.
• The Orange have won six of their last nine Friday games and hold a 7-4 Friday record under head coach Dino Babers. The streak includes 'Cuse's 27-24 win against No. 2 Clemson in 2017 and the 2018 Camping World Bowl victory against West Virginia.
• The Orange are 16-7 (.696) in weekday games since beating Kansas State in the 2010 Pinstripe Bowl.

CLIMBING THE CHARTS
• RB Sean Tucker became the 13th player in program history to surpass 2,300 rushing yards in Syracuse's victory against UConn.
• Tucker has rushed for 254 yards this season, increasing his career total to 2,376.
• With 11 more yards, Tucker will pass Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis for 12th place on the Orange's all-time leader list.

TAKING CARE OF THE BALL
• Syracuse is one only four FBS teams that have not committed a turnover this season. The group includes Georgia, James Madison and USC.
• While the Orange offense has taken care of the ball, the defense has caused six turnovers (three interceptions, three fumble recoveries).
• Syracuse ranks fourth in the nation and leads the ACC in turnover margin (+6).
• The Orange need one more takeaway to equal their total (7) turnovers gained from a year ago.

SERIES HISTORY
• Syracuse and Virginia will meet for the sixth time overall and the first time since 2015.
• It's the 'Hoos initial visit to Syracuse as a conference opponent.
• Virginia is the second-to-last ACC Coastal Division team to make the trek to Syracuse for a conference game. Miami is the lone remaining ACC Coastal team that has not visited since Syracuse joined the ACC in 2013.
• The Cavaliers have won the last three contests with the Orange and own a 3-2 advantage in the series.

ORANGE IN THE RED ZONE
• Syracuse is 11-for-11 in the red zone this season. The Orange are one of 19 FBS teams that remain perfect in scoring points off red-zone trips.
• Conversely, Syracuse's defense has allowed opponents in the red zone five times through three games and 'Cuse foes have converted on just 60-percent of those chances, which ties for 10th in the nation.

A WIN WOULD …
• Improve Dino Babers' record to 33-43 as head coach of the Orange.
• Give Syracuse a 4-0 start for the first time since the 2018 season and just the seventh time since 1942.
• Give Syracuse its 745th all-time victory (includes 11 wins from 2004-06 that were vacated by the NCAA). The Orange currently rank 22nd on the FBS ledger of winningest programs. Syracuse is one of 31 FBS schools to have accumulated 700+ wins.

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Players Mentioned

Sean Tucker

Syracuse University Athletics