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Colgate hasn’t beaten Syracuse since 1950. When the teams met in 2010 and 2016, Raiders head coach Stan Dakosty was the defensive backs coach – they lost by a combined score of 75-14. In their five matchups since 1961, Syracuse has won by a combined 257 points.

This time around, the Raiders will go against the 3-3-5 defense, which Dakosty acknowledged as a scarcely used and statistically elevated scheme in the college football landscape. After going 3-8 last season, Colgate will open the season against its only Power Five opponent this year.

Here’s everything to know ahead of Syracuse’s season-opener against Colgate on Saturday:

All-time series:

Tied, 31-31-4.

Last time they played

SU beat Colgate 33-7 in the 2016 opener. The Raiders marched down the field to score on the opening possession, but the Syracuse defense adjusted soon after. The Orange went on a 33-0 run the rest of the game, allowing yards of total offense after the first quarter.

Syracuse scored two touchdowns of over 40 yards in the first half, including a 49-yard rocket from Eric Dungey and a 43-yard dash by Moe Neal. Two Syracuse receivers had over 10 catches and a touchdown: Amba Etta-Tawo (12 for 210 yards) and Ervin Philips (14 for 87 yards), while five Orange rushers combined for 117 yards and one score. Dungey still finished 34-for-40 with 355 yards and two scores before he was taken out.

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The Raiders report

Colgate had a -98 point differential last season, securing its worst record since 1995. After a season that included some tough injuries to the offensive and defensive line, both units have excelled in training camp, Dakosty said.

He relishes the opportunity to give his team an opening test. It’s a measuring stick for his guys in the trenches to play up in the FBS and see if they can hold their own for a full 60 minutes. If nothing else, Dakosty hopes to gain perspective.

“The last time we played Syracuse, we had a good front,” Dakosty said. “Obviously, they won the game. But it was one of those things like, okay, did we get pushed around like an FCS playing a Power 5? If we’re going to build this up how we want to build it up, we’re going to have an o-line and d-line that should be able to go toe to toe with anybody on our level.”

How Syracuse beats Colgate

If Syracuse plays to its standard, it should man-handle Colgate’s offensive front. The Raiders have just one starting offensive lineman over 300 lbs, creating a clear advantage for SU’s veteran pass rush unit, all of whom top 250 lbs. If Syracuse can get to the quarterback at a high rate without sending too much extra pressure, this game shouldn’t be competitive.

The schemes haven’t changed for Syracuse, but the coordinators and play calling strategy have, on both sides of the ball. Syracuse head coach Dino Babers said defensive coordinator Rocky Long will have a distinct impact on the SU defense because of his ability to make adjustments at an accelerated rate. Long’s “library of knowledge” on stopping offensive concepts and causing deception with defensive backs puts this Syracuse team in a good position against an FCS opponent.

Offensively, Garrett Shrader shouldn’t need to throw the ball downfield much to beat the Raiders. With his shoulder recovery still a factor, the ground game will likely be Syracuse’s bread and butter on Saturday. And as Colgate allowed 130.1 rushing yards per game last season, Shrader and LeQuint Allen shouldn’t be hard-pressed to hit gaping holes in the defense.

Stat to know: 751

Colgate quarterback Michael Brescia ranked fifth in the Patriot League with 751 rushing yards last season, and tied for fourth in rushing scores with 13. That’s 309 yards and 11 touchdowns more than the next Colgate player.

His dual-threat proficiency is the focal point of this Colgate offense as well as SU’s preparation. Expect to see a ton of designed runs from the Raiders against some heavy pressure from Syracuse.

“As that quarterback goes, they go,” Babers said.

Player to watch: LB Tyler Flick

With SU set to play a run-heavy offense, linebacker Tyler Flick stands in its way. As a senior last year, Flick led the team in total tackles (93) and tackles for loss (8.5) – each would have led the Syracuse defense. Dakosty will surely look to utilize Flick, as SU’s lack of size and experience on the offensive line is its biggest weak spot on paper. Flick could take advantage of that.

Published on August 30, 2023 at 11:09 pm

Contact Wyatt: wbmiller@syr.edu