Syracuse football eyes third straight win as Clemson visits JMA Dome Saturday
Syracuse looks to move above.500 with a home game against Clemson, while campus and sports headlines shape Central New York’s Thursday morning.
SYRACUSE, N.Y., Syracuse football will try for its third consecutive win this Saturday as the Orange host Clemson at the JMA Wireless Dome, following a dramatic upset of then-No. 19 SMU on Halloween, according to the Daily Orange. The Orange, now 4-4 overall and 2-4 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, are seeking to move above.500 for the first time since Week 1.
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The matchup brings national attention to downtown Syracuse, with the ACC Network’s pregame show “ACC Huddle” broadcasting from the Dome. For Central New York fans, this means increased traffic around I-81, I-690, and the University Hill area on Saturday. The game is set to test both teams, as Clemson enters with a 5-3 record (3-2 ACC) but has struggled offensively this season.
By The Numbers
- 4-4: Syracuse football’s overall record entering Saturday’s game, per the Daily Orange.
- 183.4: Clemson’s average passing yards per game, the lowest in the ACC, according to the Daily Orange.
- 6: Number of sacks recorded by Syracuse’s defense in the win over SMU, per the Daily Orange.
- 221.0: Average passing yards allowed per game by Syracuse’s defense, ranking ninth in the ACC, per the Daily Orange.
- 2: Consecutive wins for Syracuse football heading into the Clemson matchup, per the Daily Orange.
- 3: Number of state championship appearances Jovie Weaver led her high school team to before joining Syracuse field hockey, according to the Daily Orange.
- 58: Career goals scored by Jovie Weaver in high school, per the Daily Orange.
- 13: Number of players who saw action for Boston College volleyball against Syracuse, compared to eight for SU, per the Daily Orange.
- 28: Assists by Mira Ledermueller in Syracuse volleyball’s loss to Boston College, per the Daily Orange.
- 21: Attack errors committed by Syracuse volleyball in the Boston College match, per the Daily Orange.
- 70: Parts per billion of lead found in Syracuse’s water in early 2024, nearly five times the EPA action level, according to the Daily Orange.
- 14,000: Number of known lead service lines still in the ground in Syracuse as of January 2024, per the Daily Orange.
What’s happening in Central New York today
Syracuse football’s resurgence is the talk of the town, with quarterback Steve Angeli returning to form after a midseason injury and leading the Orange to back-to-back wins, including a home victory over SMU and a road win at North Carolina, according to the Daily Orange. Saturday’s game against Clemson is expected to draw a packed crowd to the JMA Wireless Dome, with Director of Athletics Bryan Blair calling it a “monster opportunity” for the program.
Clemson, once a perennial powerhouse, has cycled through two quarterbacks this season and currently ranks last in the ACC for offensive efficiency, with just 183.4 passing yards per game. Syracuse’s defense, led by a strong pass rush that notched six sacks against SMU, will look to capitalize on Clemson’s struggles. Wide receiver Umari Hatcher and Calvin Russell III have emerged as key targets for Angeli, while the defense continues to deliver under coordinator Vince Kehres.
Elsewhere in Syracuse sports, the Orange volleyball team fell 3-0 to Boston College at the Women’s Building on Wednesday, marking their third straight loss in straight sets, according to the Daily Orange. The team played with a short bench, missing three starters, but saw strong performances from Mira Ledermueller (28 assists) and Queen Howse (13 digs). Kiernan Stamey led the offense with 18 kills.
On the field hockey front, freshman Jovie Weaver continues to impress, having scored four goals and eight points so far this season. Weaver, a product of Pennsylvania’s competitive high school circuit, helped stabilize Syracuse’s offense and led her high school team to three state championship appearances, tallying 58 career goals, per the Daily Orange.
For more on Orange sports, check our Syracuse sports page.
Campus and city updates
On campus, a guest column in the Daily Orange highlights a call for Syracuse University’s psychology department to clarify age requirements for research studies. Students under 18 are currently steered toward essay summaries instead of participating in SONA research studies, a process that some say requires more effort for the same credit.
Water quality remains a concern for SU students, with lead testing in early 2024 showing 70 parts per billion in Syracuse’s water supply, well above the EPA’s action level of 15 ppb, according to the Daily Orange. Over 14,000 known lead service lines remain in the ground, and students are calling for the university to publish dorm-specific water testing results online.
In Oswego County, James Weatherup was elected as the new 120th District Assemblyman, while State Sen. Chris Ryan of Geddes secured reelection in the 50th District, using a 20,000-vote edge in Onondaga County to hold off his challenger, according to Oswego County News Now.
What to watch for next
All eyes in Central New York are on the JMA Wireless Dome this Saturday as Syracuse football aims for a third straight win and a potential bowl bid. Expect heavy traffic on I-81 and I-690 near University Hill and downtown. Fans should also keep an eye on the Orange volleyball and field hockey teams as they continue their fall campaigns. For ongoing updates on SU athletics, visit our Orange sports coverage.
Where to check for updates
For the latest on Syracuse football, visit the official Syracuse University Athletics site. Water quality information is available from the City of Syracuse Water Department. For campus news, check the Daily Orange and university announcements. For local election results, see Oswego County News Now.
📷 Wikimedia / Wikipedia , Syracuse Orange football , CC BY-SA 4.0 / Public Domain (verify per file)
Sources
- Daily Orange, Syracuse football preview, volleyball, field hockey, campus water quality, psychology department age requirements
- Oswego County News Now, Weatherup and Ryan election results
