The Syracuse Orange (3-0, 1-0) will host the Connecticut Huskies (1-2, 0-1) as it looks to remain unbeaten on Saturday in the Carrier Dome. The struggling Huskies are coming off their first win of the season, while the Orange is looking to start its season 4-0 for the first time under three-year head coach Dino Babers.
SU will look to eploit a defense from UConn which ranks last in the FBS (129th) in total defense. Through three games, the Huskie defense has allowed 673.3 yards per game to opposing teams, which is 74.8 more yards than the next worst defense in the country (Ohio University). So far this season, Connecticut has allowed nearly 56 points per game to their opponents, but two of those opponents were ranked nationally in the top 25 (#21 UCF and #20 Boise State).
The Syracuse offense looking to attack that squad has been on a tear to start the season. The Orange rank 32nd nationally in total offense, picking up almost 5.7 yards per play and have netted 17 total touchdowns. Much of the Orange success, both on the ground and through the air, is thanks to senior quarterback Eric Dungey. Dungey leads SU in both passing and rushing yards and has accounted for eight of the team's touchdowns, three more than any other player.
SU hosts UConn at 4 in the Carrier Dome this Saturday. Tune into 88.3 FM WAER for Countdown to Kickoff at 3:30 with the game following.
In the second half of last week's 30-7 win over Florida State though, the Orange had to rely on redshirt freshman Tommy Devito to lead the offense with Dungey sidelined with an injury. Devito played well, throwing for 144 yards and one TD, and 'Cuse beat FSU handily. Dungey is listed as the starter in the team's depth chart this week and is set to return against UConn.
After SU's 3-0 start to the season, the Orange has moved closer to being recignized nationally with a top 25 ranking. This week 'Cuse recieved top 25 votes in the AP Top 25 (2 votes) as well as the Coaches Poll (11 votes).
During halftime of Saturday's contest, former Syracuse running back Joe Morris will be honored, as his number 47 jersey will be retired into the rafters of the Carrier Dome. Morris played for the Orange from 1978 to 1982, and to this day holds the all-time career rushing record for Syracuse Football (4,299 yards).
This is the final game of a three-game homestand for SU before it travels to South Carolina to take on the Clemson Tigers. Kickoff for Syracuse versus Connecticut is set for 4 p.m. on Saturday in the Carrier Dome.