2018 Syracuse Orange football team

The 2018 Syracuse Orange football team represented Syracuse University during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Orange were led by third-year head coach Dino Babers and played their home games at the Carrier Dome. They competed as members of the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. After being picked to finish last in the preseason media poll, Syracuse went 10–3, 6–2 in ACC play to finish in 2nd place in the Atlantic Division, their first winning season and bowl invitation since 2013. They were invited to the Camping World Bowl, where they defeated West Virginia.

2018 Syracuse Orange football
Camping World Bowl champion
Camping World Bowl, W 34–18 vs. West Virginia
Conference	Atlantic Coast Conference
Division	Atlantic Division
Ranking
Coaches	No. 15
AP	No. 15
Record	10–3 (6–2 ACC)
Head coach	Dino Babers (3rd season)
Offensive coordinator	Mike Lynch (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Veer and shoot
Defensive coordinator	Brian Ward (3rd season)
Base defense	Multiple
Home stadium	Carrier Dome
Seasons ← 2017 2019 →

2018 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Atlantic Division
No. 1 Clemson x$#^		8	–	0					15	–	0
No. 15 Syracuse		6	–	2					10	–	3
NC State		5	–	3					9	–	4
Boston College		4	–	4					7	–	5
Wake Forest		3	–	5					7	–	6
Florida State		3	–	5					5	–	7
Louisville		0	–	8					2	–	10
Coastal Division
Pittsburgh x		6	–	2					7	–	7
Georgia Tech		5	–	3					7	–	6
Miami (FL)		4	–	4					7	–	6
Virginia		4	–	4					8	–	5
Virginia Tech		4	–	4					6	–	7
Duke		3	–	5					8	–	5
North Carolina		1	–	7					2	–	9
Championship: Clemson 42, Pittsburgh 10
# – College Football Playoff champion ^ – College Football Playoff participant $ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions Rankings from AP Poll

Recruiting

Position key

Back	B		Center	C		Cornerback	CB		Defensive back	DB
Defensive end	DE		Defensive lineman	DL		Defensive tackle	DT		End	E
Fullback	FB		Guard	G		Halfback	HB		Kicker	K
Kickoff returner	KR		Offensive tackle	OT		Offensive lineman	OL		Linebacker	LB
Long snapper	LS		Punter	P		Punt returner	PR		Quarterback	QB
Running back	RB		Safety	S		Tight end	TE		Wide receiver	WR

Recruits

The Orange signed a total of 18 recruits.

College recruiting information (2018)
Name	Hometown	School	Height	Weight	Commit date
Gabe Horan TE	Baldwinsville, New York	Charles W. Baker High School	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	260 lb (120 kg)	Feb 9, 2017
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Atrilleon Williams DB	White Plains, New York	Archbishop Stepinac High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	Mar 27, 2017
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Cooper Lutz WR	Reading, Pennsylvania	Berks Catholic High School	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	Apr 20, 2017
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Juan Wallace LB	Washington, D.C.	IMG Academy	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	May 4, 2017
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Akeem Dixon RB	Vero Beach, Florida	Vero Beach High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	235 lb (107 kg)	May 17, 2017
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Anthony Queeley WR	Orlando, Florida	Lake Nona High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	Jun 18, 2017
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Willem Froumy OT	Exeter, New Hampshire	Exeter High School	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	290 lb (130 kg)	Jun 20, 2017
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Taj Harris WR	Palmyra, New Jersey	Palmyra High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	Jun 24, 2017
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Edward Hendrix WR	Washington, D.C.	H.D. Woodson High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	Aug 16, 2017
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Cameron Jonas S	West Palm Beach, Florida	Dwyer High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	187 lb (85 kg)	Aug 21, 2017
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Qadir White OT	Bronx, New York	Cardinal Hayes High School	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	334 lb (151 kg)	Aug 24, 2017
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Andre Cisco S	Valley Stream, New York	IMG Academy	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	186 lb (84 kg)	Dec 8, 2017
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Tre Allison LB	Tyler, Texas	John Tyler High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	212 lb (96 kg)	Dec 10, 2017
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Lakiem Williams LB	Tacoma, Washington	Butte College	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	240 lb (110 kg)	Dec 10, 2017
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Carlos Vettorello OG	Detroit, Michigan	University of Detroit Jesuit High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	277 lb (126 kg)	Dec 12, 2017
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Chance Amie QB	Tyler, Texas	Robert E. Lee High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	191 lb (87 kg)	Dec 20, 2017
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Jarveon Howard RB	Columbia, Mississippi	East Marion High School	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	202 lb (92 kg)	Jan 29, 2018
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Caleb Okechukwu DE	Washington, D.C.	St. John's College High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	240 lb (110 kg)	Feb 7, 2018
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Overall recruit ranking:
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Syracuse Football Commitments". Rivals. Retrieved March 4, 2018. "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved March 4, 2018.

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

Award	Player	Position	Year
Maxwell Award[1]	Eric Dungey	QB	SR
John Mackey Award[2]	Ravian Pierce	TE	SR
Ray Guy Award[3]	Sterling Hofrichter	P	JR
Paul Hornung Award[4]	Sean Riley	WR/KR	JR
Wuerffel Trophy[5]	Kielan Whitner	LB	SR
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award[6]	Eric Dungey	QB	SR
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award[7]	Koda Martin	OL	SR

ACC media poll

The ACC media poll was released on July 24, 2018.

Media poll (Atlantic)
Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Clemson	1,031 (145)
2	Florida State	789 (1)
3	NC State	712 (2)
4	Boston College	545
5	Louisville	422
6	Wake Forest	413
7	Syracuse	232

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 31	6:00 p.m.	at Western Michigan*		Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI	CBSSN	W 55–42	20,628
September 8	3:30 p.m.	Wagner*		Carrier Dome Syracuse, NY	ACCN Extra	W 62–10	29,395
September 15	12:00 p.m.	Florida State		Carrier Dome Syracuse, NY	ESPN	W 30–7	37,457
September 22	4:00 p.m.	UConn*		Carrier Dome Syracuse, NY (rivalry)	ESPNews	W 51–21	36,632
September 29	12:00 p.m.	at No. 3 Clemson		Memorial Stadium Clemson, SC	ABC	L 23–27	80,122
October 6	12:20 p.m.	at Pittsburgh		Heinz Field Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry)	ACCN	L 37–44 OT	37,100
October 20	12:20 p.m.	North Carolina		Carrier Dome Syracuse, NY	ACCN	W 40–37 2OT	35,210
October 27	7:00 p.m.	No. 22 NC State		Carrier Dome Syracuse, NY	ESPN2	W 51–41	40,769
November 3	12:00 p.m.	at Wake Forest	No. 19	BB&T Field Winston-Salem, NC	ACCRSN	W 41–24	26,136
November 9	7:00 p.m.	Louisville	No. 13	Carrier Dome Syracuse, NY	ESPN2	W 54–23	42,797
November 17	2:30 p.m.	vs. No. 3 Notre Dame*	No. 12	Yankee Stadium Bronx, NY	NBC	L 3–36	48,104
November 24	12:00 p.m.	at Boston College	No. 20	Alumni Stadium Chestnut Hill, MA	ESPN	W 42–21	34,959
December 28	5:15 p.m.	vs. No. 16 West Virginia*	No. 20	Camping World Stadium Orlando, FL (Camping World Bowl) (rivalry)	ESPN	W 34–18	41,125
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings after October 30 released prior to game All times are in Eastern time

Schedule Source:^[8]

Rankings

Further information: 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	—	—	—	RV	RV	RV	—	—	—	22	13	12	19	18	17	15
Coaches	—	—	—	RV	RV	RV	RV	—	RV	24	13	12	19	18	17	15
CFP	Not released									19	13	12	20	20	20	Not released

Game summaries

At Western Michigan

Syracuse at Western Michigan

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Orange	24	10	14	7	55
Broncos	7	0	28	7	42

• Date: August 31
• Location:
  Waldo Stadium
  Kalamazoo, MI
• Game start: 6:02 p.m. EDT
• Elapsed time: 4:02
• Game attendance: 20,628
• Game weather: 82°F • SSE 9 • Sunny
• Referee: Jeff Heaser
• TV announcers (CBS):
  Play-by-Play: Dave Ryan
  Analyst: Corey Chavous
  Sideline reporter: Lauren Gardner

Scoring summary

1	11:36	SU	Jamal Custis 27-yard pass from Eric Dungey (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 7–0
1	9:32	SU	Andre Szmyt 26-yard field goal	SU 10–0
1	6:39	SU	Moe Neal 1-yard run (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 17–0
1	3:10	WMU	LeVante Bellamy 7-yard run (Josh Grant kick)	SU 17–7
1	0:51	SU	Moe Neal 3-yard run (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 24–7
2	11:53	SU	Dontae Strickland 1-yard run (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 31–7
2	9:52	SU	Andre Szmyt 43-yard field goal	SU 34–7
3	14:06	WMU	D'Wayne Eskridge 21-yard pass from Jon Wassink (Josh Grant kick)	SU 34–14
3	7:32	WMU	D'Wayne Eskridge 84-yard pass from Jon Wassink (Josh Grant kick)	SU 34–21
3	5:19	WMU	LeVante Bellamy 64-yard run (Josh Grant kick)	SU 34–28
3	2:45	SU	Jamal Custis 21-yard pass from Eric Dungey (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 41–28
3	1:56	WMU	Jon Wassink 4-yard run (Josh Grant kick)	SU 41–35
3	0:48	SU	Dontae Strickland 1-yard run (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 48–35
4	14:46	SU	Eric Dungey 27-yard run (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 55–35
4	2:50	WMU	Jayden Reed 17-yard pass from Jon Wassink (Josh Grant kick)	SU 55–42

See also: 2018 Western Michigan Broncos football team

Wagner

Wagner at Syracuse

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Seahawks	7	0	0	3	10
• Orange	21	24	14	3	62

• Date: September 8
• Location:
  Carrier Dome
  Syracuse, NY
• Game start: 3:35 p.m. EDT
• Elapsed time: 3:22
• Game attendance: 29,395
• Referee: Todd Boyd
• TV announcers:
  Play-by-Play: Doug Sherman
  Analyst: Al Groh

Scoring summary

1	11:47	SU	Sean Riley 16-yard pass from Eric Dungey (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 7–0
1	9:47	SU	Dontae Strickland 1-yard run (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 14–0
1	7:56	WAG	Chris Woodard 24-yard pass from T.J. Linta (Eric Silvester kick)	SU 14–7
1	0:38	SU	Taj Harris 24-yard pass from Eric Dungey (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 21–7
2	9:43	SU	Ravian Pierce 3-yard pass from Eric Dungey (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 28–7
2	5:48	SU	Andre Szmyt 38-yard field goal	SU 31–7
2	4:23	SU	Trill Williams 2-yard return of a blocked punt (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 34–7
2	0:34	SU	Nykeim Johnson 28-yard pass from Eric Dungey (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 41–7
3	13:07	SU	Dontae Strickland 20-yard run (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 48–7
3	6:25	SU	Jamal Custis 4-yard pass from Eric Dungey (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 55–7
4	12:53	WAG	Eric Silvester 26-yard field goal	SU 55–10
4	11:45	SU	Andre Szmyt 50-yard field goal	SU 62–10

See also: 2018 Wagner Seahawks football team

Florida State

Florida State at Syracuse

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Seminoles	0	0	0	7	7
• Orange	3	3	14	10	30

• Date: September 15
• Location:
  Carrier Dome
  Syracuse, NY
• Game start: 12:02 p.m. EDT
• Elapsed time: 3:39
• Game attendance: 37,457
• Referee: David Epperley
• TV announcers (ESPN):
  Play-by-Play: Mark Jones
  Analyst: Dusty Dvoracek
  Sideline reporter: Molly McGrath

Scoring summary

1	7:23	SU	Andre Szmyt 22-yard field goal	SU 3–0
2	1:40	SU	Andre Szmyt 19-yard field goal	SU 6–0
3	6:55	SU	Tommy DeVito 3-yard run (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 13–0
3	3:33	SU	Ravian Pierce 3-yard pass from Tommy DeVito (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 20–0
4	12:55	SU	Andre Szmyt 23-yard field goal	SU 23–0
4	6:16	FSU	Deondre Francois 2-yard run (Ricky Aguayo kick)	SU 23–7
4	3:19	FSU	Dontae Strickland 13-yard run (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 30–7

See also: 2018 Florida State Seminoles football team

UConn

UConn at Syracuse

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Huskies	7	7	0	7	21
• Orange	24	7	10	10	51

• Date: September 22
• Location:
  Carrier Dome
  Syracuse, NY
• Game start: 4:00 p.m. EDT
• Game attendance: 36,632

Scoring summary

1	09:15	SU	Eric Dungey 2 yd run (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 0–7
1	06:24	SU	Eric Dungey 9 yd run (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 0–14
1	03:53	SU	Gabe Horan 7 yd pass from Eric Dungey (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 0–21
1	03:43	UCONN	David Pindell 75 yd run (Michael Tarbutt kick)	SU 7–21
1	01:52	SU	Andre Szmyt 33 yd FG	SU 7–24
2	11:41	UCONN	Zavier Scott 2 yd pass from David Pindell (Michael Tarbutt Kick)	SU 14–24
2	09:10	SU	Eric Dungey 1 yd run (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 14–31
3	10:35	SU	Sean Riley 69 yd punt return (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 14–38
3	04:27	SU	Andre Szmyt 27 yd FG	SU 14–41
4	14:18	UCONN	Tyler Davis 26 yd pass from Marvin Washington (Michael Tarbutt kick)	SU 21–41
4	11:21	SU	Sean Riley 49 yd pass from Eric Dungey (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 21–48
4	07:43	SU	Andre Szmyt 25 yd FG	SU 21–51

See also: 2018 UConn Huskies football team

At Clemson

Syracuse at Clemson

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Orange	6	10	0	7	23
• No. 3 Tigers	7	0	6	14	27

• Date: September 29
• Location:
  Memorial Stadium
  Clemson, SC
• Game start: 12:00 p.m. EDT
• Game attendance: 80,121

Scoring summary

1	09:49	SU	Andre Szmyt 35 yd FG	SU 3–0
1	08:26	SU	Andre Szmyt 51 yd FG	SU 6–0
1	00:54	CLEM	Travis Etienne 1 yd run (Greg Huegel kick)	CLEM 6–7
2	07:31	SU	Eric Dungey 1 yd run (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 13–7
2	00:24	SU	Andre Szmyt 32 yd FG	SU 16–7
3	04:09	CLEM	Greg Huegel 43 yd FG	SU 16–10
3	02:13	CLEM	Greg Huegel 37 yd FG	SU 16–13
4	12:58	SU	Eric Dungey 1 yd run (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 23–13
4	11:08	CLEM	Travis Etienne 26 yd run (Greg Huegel kick)	SU 23–20
4	00:41	CLEM	Travis Etienne 2 yd run (Greg Huegel kick)	CLEM 23–27

See also: 2018 Clemson Tigers football team

At Pittsburgh

Syracuse at Pittsburgh

Team	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Orange	14	3	14	6	0	37
• Panthers	14	6	7	10	7	44

• Date: October 6
• Location:
  Heinz Field
  Pittsburgh, PA
• Game start: 12:21 p.m. EDT
• Elapsed time: 4:31
• Game attendance: 37,100
• Game weather: 82°F • SW 8 • Mostly Sunny
• Referee: David Epperley
• TV announcers (Raycom):
  Play-by-Play: Tom Werme
  Analyst: Dave Archer
  Sideline: Lericia Harris

Scoring summary

1	10:54	SU	Aaron Hackett 1 yard pass from Eric Dungey (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 7–0
1	6:32	SU	Jarveon Howard 2 yard TD run (Andre Szmyt kick)	SU 14–0
1	5:47	PITT	Qadree Ollison 69 yard TD run (Alex Kessman Kick)	SU 14–7
1	4:21	PITT	Dane Jackson 35 yard fumble return for TD (Alex Kessman Kick)	TIED 14–14
2	12:26	PITT	Alex Kessman 54 yard field goal	PITT 14–17
2	6:50	PITT	Alex Kessman 55 yard field goal	PITT 14–20
2	1:30	SU	Andre Szmyt 33 yard field goal	PITT 17–20
3	14:12	PITT	Rafael Araujo-Lopes 68 yard TD pass from Kenny Pickett (Alex Kessman Kick)	PITT 17–27
3	8:12	SU	Jarveon Howard 5 yard TD run (Andre Szmyt Kick)	PITT 24–27
3	0:21	SU	Eric Dungey 21 yard TD run (Andre Szmyt Kick)	SU 31–27
4	11:11	SU	Andre Szmyt 29 yard field goal	SU 34–27
4	7:51	PITT	Darrin Hall 7 yard TD run (Alex Kessman Kick)	TIED 34–34
4	5:53	SU	Andre Szmyt 54 yard field goal	SU 37–34
4	0:08	PITT	Alex Kessman 45 yard field goal	TIED 37–37
OT		PITT	Darrin Hall 3 yard TD run (Alex Kessman kick )	PITT 37–44

See also: 2018 Pittsburgh Panthers football team and Pittsburgh–Syracuse football rivalry

North Carolina

North Carolina at Syracuse

Team	1	2	3	4	OT	2OT	Total
Tar Heels	7	0	17	3	7	3	37
• Orange	0	13	7	7	7	6	40

• Date: October 6
• Location:
  Carrier Dome
  Syracuse, NY
• Game start: 12:20 p.m. EDT
• Elapsed time: 4:07
• Game attendance: 35,210
• Television network: Raycom

Scoring summary

1	10:07	NC	Newsome, D 6 yard pass from Elliott, N (Jones, F kick)	NC 7–0
2	10:58	SU	Szmyt, A. 25 yardd field goal	NC 7–3
2	1:56	SU	Elmore, C. 1 yard run (Szmyt, A. kick)	SU 7–10
2	0:00	SU	Szmyt, A. 46 yard field goal	SU 7–13
3	14:06	SU	Dungey, E. 16 yard run (Szmyt, A. kick)	SU 7–20
3	10:52	NC	Williams, A. 12 yard run (Jones, F kick)	SU 14–20
3	6:02	NC	Newsome, D. 75 yard punt return (Jones, F kick)	NC 21–20
3	0:06	NC	Jones, F. 34 yard field goal	NC 24–20
4	10:15	NC	Jones, F. 25 yard field goal	PITT 27–20
4	1:39	SU	Johnson, N. 42 yard pass from DeVito, T. (Szmyt, A. kick)	TIED 27–27
OT		SU	Custis, J. 25 yard pass from DeVito, T. (Szmyt, A. kick)	SU 34–27
OT		NC	Corrales, B. 9 yard pass from Elliott, N. (Jones, F. kick)	TIED 34–34
OT2		NC	Jones, F. 48 yard field goal	NC 37–34
OT2		SU	Pierce, R. 4 yard pass from DeVito, T.	SU 37–40

See also: 2018 North Carolina Tar Heels football team

NC State

	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 22 Wolfpack	7	13	7	14	41
Orange	24	3	14	10	51

See also: 2018 NC State Wolfpack football team

At Wake Forest

	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 22 Orange	14	7	14	6	41
Demon Deacons	10	0	14	0	24

See also: 2018 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team

Louisville

	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	0	7	7	9	23
No. 13 Orange	7	30	7	10	54

See also: 2018 Louisville Cardinals football team

Vs. Notre Dame

	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 3 Fighting Irish	13	7	9	7	36
No. 12 Orange	0	0	0	3	3

See also: 2018 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

At Boston College

	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 19 Orange	14	14	7	7	42
Eagles	7	7	7	0	21

See also: 2018 Boston College Eagles football team

Vs. West Virginia (Camping World Bowl)

	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 15 Mountaineers	3	9	6	0	18
No. 17 Orange	7	7	3	17	34

See also: 2018 West Virginia Mountaineers football team and 2018 Camping World Bowl

2019 NFL Draft

See also: 2019 NFL draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	NFL Club
7	245	Chris Slayton	DT	New York Giants