In their first ACC game of the season, the Syracuse Orange (2-2, 0-0) will play their second away game of the season tomorrow as they face No. 1 rank ACC team, the North Carolina State Wolfpack (3-1, 1-0) in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Syracuse is coming off a hard-fought 35-26 loss to LSU last weekend. After a disappointing 14-3 offensive performance going into halftime, SU’s offense came together late in the game. Unfortunately for the Orange, the No. 25 Tigers were able to hold on for a win in Death Valley.
Syracuse’s starting defensive end, sophomore Kendall Coleman, was listed as questionable on an injury report released Thursday night. Coleman left the game and did not return against LSU in the second quarter last weekend with an apparent right foot/ankle injury. He has 18 total tackles this season, nine of which were against Central Michigan University two weeks ago.
NC State, Syracuse’s hot streak opponent, is coming off a huge upset win against Florida State in Tallahassee last weekend, beating the No. 12 Seminoles 27-21. The win against FSU gives the Wolfpack a three game win streak going into Saturday's game as they return home.
More good news for NC State in senior cornerback Mike Stevens expecting to make his long-awaited season debut this weekend against the Orange. Stevens has had 22 career starts for the Wolfpack but has not played this season due a knee injury he suffered in training camp.
The Orange has played against many familiar faces this season in former SU coaches Scott Shafer and Ed Orgeron. Syracuse will face off against another one in former offensive coordinator George McDonald. SU looks to get their first win against a former coach this season as McDonald enters his third season at NC State as the wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator.
Saturday’s game proves to be a big one for both SU and NC State, as league play starts to pick up. Coming home after last week’s huge upset win over FSU, NC State also has a lot on the line if they are to continue their win streak. The ACC currently has five teams ranked in the top 25 CFB ranking. The Wolfpack will face No. 17 Louisville, another top ACC team, at home next weekend.
Dino Babers and the Orange are looking to pick up momentum and improve to a winning record as they come home next Saturday to face another ACC team, the University of Pittsburgh, during Homecoming Weekend.