Orange Return Home For Sellout

Syracuse puts its three-game winning streak on the line when it hosts Duke on Saturday at Noon in the JMA Wireless Dome.

A sold-out crowd will be on hand on Family Weekend to see the Orange take on the Blue Devils. Fans looking for tickets to Saturday's game are encouraged to utilize Ticketmaster Verified Resale for secondary market options. Orange Nation should also act now to secure seats for remaining games in the JMA Wireless Dome this season at Cuse.com/FootballTickets.

Syracuse defeated Clemson, 34-21, in its ACC opener last weekend, improving its overall record to 3-1. The Blue Devils also won their conference opener, defeating NC State, 45-33. The victory improved Duke's record to 2-2.

"I think Duke is a really good football team. They have a team full of just really good football players," Syracuse head coach Fran Brown said. "I think they play the best football out of everyone we're about to go and play. They play together, you can see they care about each other, they play hard, they play physical, and they all do their jobs. They don't have too many mistakes on the football field.

"I think this will be the biggest test for us to see who we are in building a program," Brown continued. "It's supposed to be a sold-out game, so when you got a sell-out crowd being able to come and see you play on a Saturday at 12 o'clock, you can't ask for more. Excited about the opportunity we have."

The game will feature two of the top passing offenses in the nation. Syracuse ranks fourth nationally, averaging 353.8 yards per game, while Duke is 10th, averaging 331.8 per contest. Blue Devils' quarterback Darian Mensah is third in the country in passing yards per game (326.3) and sixth in passing TDs (11). 'Cuse quarterback Rickie Collins is set to make his first career start in place of injured Steve Angeli, who entered last week's game at Clemson as the nation's leading passer. Collins came in after Angeli's injury in third quarter against the Tigers and helped lead the Orange to their first victory in Death Valley. After battling for the starting job in preseason camp, Collins is ready to step into the QB1 slot.

"It's going to be fun. I think he's been in it, he played at LSU, so he understands that and knows what that looks like," Brown said of Collins making his first start in front of the hometown crowd. "He shadowed Jayden Daniels, he shadowed (Garrett) Nussmeier around. He shadowed two really good quarterbacks, so he understands that, and he got a chance to see Kyle here last year. Over the last four weeks he's been able to be right behind Steve and handle that also, so I think that there's no better place for him to be, but to be here. Most importantly, he got my support. He's number two in command right now, I gotta believe in him 100- percent. I'm very thankful that he gets the opportunity to play. I'm happy that it's him. I'm sad that Steve had to go down. But I'm very thankful and supportive."

Collins will have several weapons to choose from when he takes the field at the JMA Dome. Wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons is tied for second in the nation in receiving touchdowns with five, while wide receiver Darrell Gill Jr. has three touchdown receptions this season, which ranks 19th nationally. In addition, his 22.14 yards per catch is good for 15th in the nation and second in the conference. Gill also ranks fifth in the ACC and 27th in the nation in receiving yards (310).

Yasin Willis returned to the lineup against Clemson and led the ground game with a career-high 94 yards rushing. He leads the team in rushing yards this season with 233.

Devin Grant was also back in action against Clemson after missing two games due to injury. Grant led the 'Cuse defense against the Tigers with a season-high 10 tackles. The Orange limited Clemson to just 4-of-18 on third and fourth downs and now lead the ACC and are ninth nationally in fourth down conversion defense (.200).

A win on Saturday would give Syracuse a four-game winning streak, which would tie for the longest for the Orange in Brown's tenure. It would also move Syracuse to 9-1 at home over the past two seasons.

Syracuse University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Rickie Collins

Darrell Gill Jr.

Devin Grant

Justus Ross-Simmons

Yasin Willis

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