Season-Opener at Akron is Six Days Away
Head coach Doug Marrone and the Orange begin the 2010 season at Akron on September 4 at Akron.
8/30/2010 4:02:05 PM
Head Coach Doug Marrone's Press Conference Transcript
Depth Chart vs. Akron
Game Notes vs. Akron
2010 Tickets | 2010 Schedule
Second-year Orange football coach Doug Marrone and the 2010 squad begin the season in six days at Akron. Syracuse beat the Zips 28-14 last year in the Carrier Dome to even the series at one game each. The Orange has never played at Akron.
Senior running back Delone Carter is one of five members of the Syracuse team who hail from Ohio. The Copley, Ohio native ranks 19th on Syracuse's career rushing yards record list with 1,871 in his 29 game career. In 2009, Carter gained 170 yards on 30 carries and scored three touchdowns. In addition to Carter, freshman running back Prince-Tyson Gulley, linebacker Ryan Gillum, and linebackers Lewelly Coker and Michah Robinson are also from the Buckeye state.
The Orange in Season Openers
Syracuse is 76-40-4 all-time in season openers, including a record of 65-17-4 at home in those openers and 10-22 on the road … From 1900-42, the Orange posted a record of 41-0-2 in season openers, all of which were home games … SU opened the season at home every year from 1900-55 … During the 55 straight home openers the team went 48-5-2 … No season opener was played in 1943 as the season was suspended due to the war.
Defensive Experience
The Orange defense features 12 returning starters, including five who have started for multiple seasons, including Derrell Smith and Ryan Gillum, and defensive backs Da’Mon Merkerson, Max Suter, Mike Holmes and Kevyn Scott (287 tackles) … Those who started in 2009 include defensive end Mikhail Marinovich, Andrew Lewis, Chandler Jones, Doug Hogue, Shamarko Thomas and Phillip Thomas … This group accounted for 73 percent of Syracuse’s 2009 tackles (517 of 704 tackles).
Run Game Has Strength
The tandem of redshirt senior Delone Carter and junior Antwon Bailey provides the Orange with an experienced ground game … Carter averaged 85.1 yards per game (236 carries for 1,021 yards and 11 touchdowns) … Bailey gained 28.4 yards per game (67 carries for 312 yards and one touchdown) … They also provide a threat in the passing game … Bailey caught 27 passes for 200 yards and Carter had 11 receptions for 117 yards and one touchdown.