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Syracuse Opens 2017 Football Season

Cuse.com

The lights will be bright on Friday night in the Carrier Dome as Syracuse hosts Central Connecticut State to kickoff its college football season. 

After winning its season opener last year, Syracuse struggled to a 4-8 record, missing a bowl game for the third straight year. 

There were some bright spots though in Dino Babers' first season as head coach. The offense was fast-paced featuring the 11th ranked passing attack in terms of yards per game. 'Cuse also knocked off a top-25 opponent for the first time since it beat ninth-ranked Louisville in November 2012. That Virginia Tech upset offered some insight into the potential for this team under Babers' leadership. It also lead to this viral locker room speech.

While the offense kept Syracuse alive, the defense proved to be the weakness of the 2016 squad. The Orange had the ninth worst scoring defense Division I football last year. It put a lot of pressure on the offense to keep scoring. 

Friday night represents a fresh start for the Orange, who could extend its winning streak to five straight home openers. 

Junior quarterback Eric Dungey returns for Syracuse after a very strong sophomore campaign. In nine games last season, Dungey threw for over 2,600 yards to go with 15 touchdowns and a 65 percent completion percentage. The main concern will be keeping Dungey healthy, he missed the last three games of the season due to injury. 

His competition for the opener is ideal to get back up to speed. Central Connecticut went 2-9 last season, winning just one game in Northeast Conference play. The last time Syracuse played against an NEC team was in 2013. The Orange blew out Wagner 54-0 at the Carrier Dome.