The SU offense piled up 589 yards, but a pair of turnovers and special-teams blunders proved costly.
Playing in front of an announced crowd of 40,511 and looking to go 3-0 for the first time since 1991, Syracuse just couldn’t get out of its own way.
Numerous drive-stalling penalties, dropped interceptions and poor plays on special teams doomed the Orange in a disappointing 34-20 loss to the Maryland Terrapins at the Carrier Dome on Saturday.
After winning its third bowl game in four years, Syracuse will play some of the best teams in 2013, including Florida State, Louisville and Duke in the Carrier Dome.
The Orange look to build off a solid 2013 football campaign with a pretty tough 2014 schedule.
After year that saw 11 Atlantic Coast Conference (12 if your count the impending inclusion of Louisville in 2014) play in bowl games, the Orange face eight of them next season, according to the SU Athletic Department
SU plays its season opener against former Big East rival Villanova on Saturday August 30 in the Carrier Dome.
A lack of offensive and propensity for turnovers were too much for the Orange to overcome, falling to No. 6 Maryland.
No. 6 Maryland (15-1, 3-0 ACC) defeated Syracuse 77-62 (12-5, 1-3) Thursday night in College Park, M.d. to hand the Orange it’s third loss in ACC play and it’s third road loss.
Syracuse hasn’t won a road game since Nov. 30 at the Paradise Jam, and its struggles continued against No. 6 Maryland after a series of offensive droughts and turnovers plagued the Orange
The Orange are 2-2-1 over the last five games and have failed to produce much on offense. But if SU wins Friday, it will go into the ACC tournament an 11-6-1 record.
When Syracuse defeated the Clemson Tigers for its biggest victory to date, there wasn’t too much time to celebrate. The Orange (10-6-1) needed to immediately prepare for at least one final road trip against Wake Forest.
A win is necessary to keep its chances of reaching the ACC Tournament. The top eight teams in the regular season will advance to the conference tournament. The Demon Deacons (8-4-5), meanwhile, have already clinched a spot in the postseason and currently hold the third seed in the conference.
No. 8 Syracuse beats No. 7 Maryland in friendly scrimmage
The Syracuse men’s lacrosse team mounted a comeback in the final minute of the fourth quarter Sunday to beat No. 7 Maryland 11-9 in the first scrimmage of the afternoon. The Orange then fell to Canisius 11-10 after a Golden Griffin goal with one second left on the clock.
The last time Syracuse played against Maryland was during the quarterfinals of last year's NCAA tournament. The Orange lost in overtime in that game.
The No. 1 ranked Orange split a pair of exhibition games Saturday, losing to Hofstra 6-5 and beating Le Moyne 10-5.
The last time Syracuse played in the Carrier Dome, Army used physicality and double overtime to pull a stunning upset. After an all-to-long offseason, the Orange players were ready and eager to begin avenging the loss.
“It was nice to be back in here and wash away the bad memories,” SU goalie John Galloway said. “It’s out of the memory bank. Now it’s time to focus on 2011.”