Doug Marrone's tenure as Syracuse University head football coach began Saturday against Minnesota, and the Carrier Dome was nearly packed with a reported crowd of 48,614.

After the recent disappointing seasons, fans were treated to a solid effort by SU, which led Minnesota 20-17 for most of the second half. Late in the fourth quarter Minnesota tied the game at 20, and ultimately won 23-20 in overtime.

For more on SU's season opener, check out our sports blogger, Halftime Snack.

To the uninitiated, simply driving a car on a lake--never mind racing--is an exercise in the willful suspension of disbelief.

On a January day, the temperature on Lake Honeoye was in the teens, and there was a stiff breeze coming off the lake. The ice measured 11 inches average thickness, one inch below the 12 inches required for an official event.   But several members of the Central New York Ice Racing Association members decided to take their chances and show up at the usual time to turn some laps.

A wide receiver and cornerback matched glares as the sun set over a vast grass field on a Sunday afternoon. Tension runs high as the crowd chants and cheers as they line the sidelines. One score could end the game as the teams compete in overtime of the championship game.

Amidst all these scenes of a typical football game there is something different. The players on the field are not wearing a helmet and pads, they are wearing flags. The players are not bulky men ready to bring down the opponent at all costs, but rather sorority girls eager to pull a flag off their counterparts.

The Orange Experience Synchronized Skating Team is more than just a club sport at Syracuse University. It’s a way of life. The fourteen girls on the team devote hours on and off the ice every week to perfect their competition routine.

Though their peers know little about the sport, the girl’s enthusiasm outweighs their small fan base. As a nationally established collegiate team, they’ve managed to make their mark on the ice and on each other.