Shafer Looks to Louisville

Syracuse will open its ACC slate on Friday against the league's newest member on Friday night when the team hosts Louisville.

The Cardinals are a team that 'Cuse is all too familiar with after the two spent years as BIG EAST rivals, with head coach Scott Shafer and the Orange looking forward to another matchup between the programs.

"Good week of preparation, short week, but a good week of preparation for this Louisville team," Shafer said. "It's a good football team, well coached, highly talented Louisville football team coming to the Dome. We're excited to get back in the Dome with our fans. Just looking forward to going head to head with a very good football team. It's kind of neat to go against an old BIG EAST foe and rekindle that competitive nature that we had with each other when we were in the BIG EAST together."

The teams last met in 2012 when Syracuse handed a then No. 11 Louisville, and previously 9-0 team its first loss of the season.

The Orange enter the contest with some uncertainty of which Cardinals' signal-caller it'll be matching up against, as sophomore Will Gardner started the first three games before missing last week's game against Wake Forest and freshman Reggie Bonnafon led Louisville to a win in his absence.

"I think both kids are a little bit different," Shafer said. "I think Bonnafon has the edge, the young guy, with his ability to take off with the ball. The one thing about coach Petrino is that he's very systematic with the offense and what he's going to have those quarterbacks do. So you're not going to have two different offenses when one guy is in. For the most part we're going to see an offense that's true to what they are – but it is an offense that breaks its tendencies all the time. With a short week, I'm sure they'll try to stay with what they've had success with but I know coach Petrino will have some wrinkles in the game plan for us."

To hear what else coach Shafer has to say about Friday's matchup, check out the full press conference on Cuse TV: Coach Shafer Press Conference

Orange Preview Cardinals

Shafer Previews Louisville

The Orange will return to the Carrier Dome this week when the team hosts the ACC's newest member Louisville.

SU will be looking for a similar result as last time 'Cuse hosted Cards, Syracuse handed the then undefeated and No. 11 Louisville its first loss of the season 45-26 on Nov. 10, 2012 after Prince-Tyson Gulley rushed for a pair of touchdowns.

To get the win this time around, the Orange will have to solve a Louisville defense that is surrendering just 14 points per game and 58.2 rushing yards per contest this year.

"They're a very talented. Charlie Strong did a great job recruiting those kids and they really have a lot of team speed on both sides of the ball, but the defense has been playing extremely well," said head coach Scott Shafer. "Again, not dissimilar to last week, we're going to have multiple looks out of them, we're going to have some pressures both with man and zone, so it'll be a good challenge for our guys to go out there against a quality defensive team in Louisville.

"Coach Petrino's background is obviously on the offensive side of the ball and he does some great things. He breaks his tendencies each week, they'll spread you out, get you into two tight ends and three tight ends in the back. So we'll have a lot of things to prepare for in this short week."

For more of what coach Shafer has to say about the Cards, watch today's interview with Matt Park: Coach Shafer interview

City, County Declare it #OrangeOutWeek

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The City of Syracuse has officially declared September 29 through October 3 as "Orange Out Week" in an effort to raise community spirit in advance of the Syracuse's ACC game against Louisville on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Carrier Dome.
 
"Syracuse University athletics are a big passion for many throughout our community and recognizing Orange Out Week is a great way to build team spirit," said Syracuse Mayor Stephanie A. Miner.
 
"Syracuse University does a great deal for our community, from being our largest employer to ongoing civic engagement to providing sports teams around which we rally," said Third District Common Councilor Bob Dougherty. "I'm pleased to support Orange Out Week as a fun way of cheering on the team and getting Syracuse excited for the team's first ever ACC home opener against Louisville."
 
Floyd Little '67, former Syracuse superstar and Professional Football Hall of Famer and special assistant to the athletics director, said that the University was honored by this recognition.  "We are honored that the Mayor and County Executive are showing their Orange pride. Thanks to Councilor Dougherty and the whole Common Council for showing their support too. We hope the whole community follows suit, and turns the Carrier Dome Orange for the matchup with Louisville!"
 
Throughout Orange Out Week, community members are encouraged to display their Syracuse University pride. Several Downtown buildings, including Syracuse City Hall, will be illuminated in orange. Syracusans are encouraged to wear orange clothing on Friday to show their support for the football team, which will play its first home game against an ACC opponent, Louisville, this Friday.  Social media users will observe this week using the hashtag #OrangeOutWeek.
 
Today at the 1:00 PM voting meeting of the Common Council, a resolution was approved formally recognizing Orange Out Week. The resolution, sponsored by Councilor Dougherty, was present to representatives from Syracuse University and Otto's Army attending the meeting. At the same time, a proclamation issued by Mayor Stephanie A. Miner and County Executive Joanne M. Mahoney will also be presented on their behalf by Councilor Dougherty.

Are you Oranged Out this week? Post your photos to Twitter or Instagram using #OrangeOutWeek and @Cuse will retweet our favorites!

Eskridge Earns ACC Honor

After returning an interception for a touchdown and recovering a fumble in Saturday's matchup with Notre Dame, free safety Durell Eskridge has been named ACC co-Defensive Back of the Week.

The Miami, Florida native intercepted an Everett Golson pass and took it 29-yards for the score with just over five minutes remaining at MetLife Stadium on Saturday to go along with his first quarter fumble recovery.

Eskridge also finished tied for second on the Orange with a season-high nine tackles in the loss.

'Cuse returns to the Carrier Dome this weekend for a Friday night affair with Louisville at 7 p.m.

Marvin Harrison to be Inducted into Philly Sports Hall of Fame

Syracuse legend and all-time leading receiver Marvin Harrison will be inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in November.

The single-season (1,131) and career (2,728) leader in receiving yards at Syracuse, Harrison was one of the most prolific receivers to ever suit up for the Orange before being selected 19th overall by the Indianapolis Colts, where he played 13 seasons and was selected to eight Pro Bowls.

The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native currently ranks seventh all-time in receiving yards (14,580), and shattered the NFL single-season record for receptions with 143 in 2002.

A finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year, Harrison will be one of 15 inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame on Nov. 13. For more information, visit PhillyHall.org

Indoor Practice Facility Update: Live Cam

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Construction continues on Syracuse Athletics' new indoor practice facility. Cuse TV gained exclusive access to the site and spoke with project superintendent Tim Kelley for an update on the progress. Cuse.com has also unveiled a new "live cam" that allows Orange Nation to track the progress in real time 24 hours a day!