2009 Syracuse Schedule
Senior defensive tackle Arthur Jones was re-evaluated on August 9 by Dr. Irving Raphael for his surgically repaired left pectoralis muscle. Dr. Raphael has cleared Jones for activity. The fifth-year senior suffered the injury in early March and had surgery immediately.
Jones and senior tight end Mike Owen met with the Syracuse area media on Sunday afternoon as the team returned to campus to begin 2009 preseason camp.
“For me to get cleared, Dr. Raphael tested me out, did a whole bunch of quick exercises, checked out my range of motion," Jones said on Sunday. "I thanked him for doing a fantastic job. I feel really comfortable and I’m ready to go. It feels great to be back. It was humbling for me to know that this childhood game can be taken away that quickly. It made me appreciate football and be hungrier. It has been a long six months of rehab and I’m ready to get after it.”
Jones, who earned 2008 All-BIG EAST First Team honors, ranks sixth on the Orange record list for tackles for loss (31.5) and 13th on the career list for tackles by a defensive lineman (126). A native of Endicott, N.Y., Jones recorded 60 tackles, including 13 for a loss of yards, and had a fumble recovery, as a junior in 2008. At Notre Dame, he finished with 4.0 tackles for loss, tying his career best, and a personal-best 15 tackles, in Syracuse’s 24-23 victory. The effort earned Jones an ESPN College GameDay ‘Helmet Sticker’ and the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week award.
“Guys are so excited to get out there, to run around and to get after it," Jones said. "We’re just happy that we’re all back together as a family and we’re ready to get after it. We had a week off, we missed each other. We’re a family here and this summer made us a lot closer. It’s just like having your brother from far away come back home. We are excited, everyone is positive and ready.”
Jones, Owen and the 2009 Orange kick off the season on Saturday, Sept. 5 against Minnesota in the Carrier Dome (12:00 p.m., ESPN2) in head coach Doug Marrone's collegiate head coaching debut.
“I’m excited just to be out there and play for him. His resume speaks for itself so I’m just excited to see what happens," Owen said. "We want to come out and make a good statement with the coaches so they know what we can build on as a unit. It is going to be fun to work with the new staff. Now we’re in training camp, we’re in the heart of getting ready for the season. I’m excited to see what is going to happen when our guys show all the work they’ve been putting in since January.”
All Syracuse tickets are available online and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (888-DOMETIX). Adult Individual game tickets for all eight home games are $38 each. Youth tickets (ages 12 & under) for seven home games are $18 each. For the game against Maine on September 26, Youth & Senior Citizen day, all youth and Senior Citizens (ages 60 & over) tickets will be $15 each. Family Packs are available for all home games when purchased in advance, with the exception of games against Maine and Akron. A $99 Family Pack, which is a $28 savings, includes two adult tickets, two youth tickets (12 and under), $5 concession coupon and a $10 parking pass.
The Minnesota Two-Game Pack offers fans the opportunity to purchase a ticket to Syracuse’s home-opener, which is Marrone’s Dome debut, and any other home game of their choice ($66 adult/$26 youth). Fans are invited to save up to 40% on the ticket price by purchasing tickets in groups of 35 or more and 100 or more. For questions about Group Sales, please call (315-443-3212).
For further questions and details call the Carrier Dome Box Office during business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-888-DOMETIX.