Rhodes brings experience and passion to Fayetteville-Manlius football
By Jonathan Gault
September 5, 2013 - 5:16pm
As a player, former SU running back Damien Rhodes has witnessed football at all levels. Now, he's going back to high school, as the coach of Fayetteville-Manlius High School.

In a life in which Damien Rhodes could be anywhere after graduating from Syracuse University in 2006 and playing pro football in Germany, passion for his high school and his community led him back to Fayetteville-Manlius. There, he instills the same mentality as when he gave opposing coaches nightmares, but as the head football coach.

Allen doesn't impress in debut, Orange lose to Penn State
By Ben Burrows
August 31, 2013 - 9:13pm
The Orange failed to capitalize on opportunities, eventually falling to Penn State in MetLife Stadium.

Drew Allen’s career at Syracuse got off to an inauspicious start on Saturday at MetLife Stadium when the first snap from scrimmage for the Orange was botched for a 3-yard loss.

Things didn’t get much better for Syracuse, either, as Allen completed just 16 of 37 passes in a 23-17 loss to the Penn State Nittany Lions (1-0) in the second New York’s College Classic.

Molded by life, Jay Bromley is more than just a football player
By Ethan Joyce
August 27, 2013 - 9:27pm
Nobody, not even SU defensive end Jay Bromley, thought he would become a football player. But after an unorthodox childhood, Bromley has fought his way to the top.

Jay Bromley is a senior and a starting defensive tackle on the Syracuse football team. But that's old news: he's started since his sophomore year.

He’s helped Syracuse in big wins: two Pinstripe Bowl victories — against Kansas State in 2010 and West Virginia in 2012 — and an upset win over then-No. 9 Louisville during homecoming last season. He is the only remaining starter from the 2012 defensive line, and he has become their leader.

But Bromley said his entire life's story defines him — not just football.

Orange supporters take part in annual football fan fest
By Ethan Joyce
August 12, 2013 - 12:00pm
Syracuse fans enjoyed the festivities at this year's annual Fan Fest, getting their first look at this season's football team.

On Friday afternoon, Syracuse fans young and old gathered at Schwartzwalder-Katz practice fields to see their football team play for the first time since last year.

Syracuse Fan Fest gave members of Orange Nation many options of entertainment. Kids could go jump in the bounce houses, parents could mingle and find friends, and families wandered around, eating free ice cream and making there way to a good seat.

But, no matter what their agenda, almost everyone stopped in their tracks when the clock struck 4 p.m.

Orange prepare for the beginning of the Scott Shafer era
By Thomas L. Scott
August 4, 2013 - 6:49pm
A few key starters return, but a fierce five-way quarterback competition headlines the beginning of preseason.

With only 26 days left until the season opener at MetLife Stadium against Penn State, Syracuse’s first football season in the ACC is almost here. This season will also mark Scott Shafer’s first as a head coach. Since 2009, Shafer served as the defensive coordinator for the Orange. And last season, Shafer’s defensive unit ranked seventh in the nation.

“Everyone is going to be excited day one,” Shafer said. “It’s always fun when you open up camp because the kids are fired up and ready to go.”

Race team develops Formula One car for competition
By Joe Diglio
June 27, 2013 - 8:53am
The members of Formula SAE overcome setbacks, work to complete their car in time for local competition.

Nick Bruno leans back on the desk behind him, ready to address his fellow group members. Bruno, vice president of Syracuse University's Formula Society of Automotive Engineers Race Team, is outlining the road ahead as the group prepares to finish the racecar it’s building for competition.

“We should make a new frame,” Bruno says, which draws some laughter from the group. Later, he asks for a list of suggestions, which reads, “New frame, new frame, new frame,” before someone else finally asks, “Do you think we need a new frame?”

The freshman philosopher
By Joe Diglio
May 28, 2013 - 7:17am
Syracuse walk-on football player Hernz Laguerre competes in the worlds of the gridiron and poetry slams.

English and football didn't come easy to Hernz Laguerre Jr.

But today, he excels at both crafts.

Laguerre, a broadcast and digital journalism freshman, enjoys performing at live poetry slams during his spare time. This past school year, he also walked on to the Syracuse University football team.

SU falters after first half lead, loses national championship to Duke
By Dan Connors
May 27, 2013 - 5:53pm
After a strong 5-0 start, SU's inability to win faceoffs and overpower Duke led to the 16-10 loss.

PHILADELPHIA - It happened all season: Syracuse would get dominated in faceoffs, but its efficient offense and strong goaltending helped compensate for the fewer possessions.

But in the National Championship matchup against Duke, the Orange’s inability to win a faceoff became too much to overcome. After a 5-0 start by the Orange, top-seeded Syracuse (16-4) was outscored 16-5, as its quest for a 12th national championship ended in a 16-10 loss to seventh-seeded Duke (16-5).

SU vies for its 12th national championship after comeback victory over Denver
By Dan Connors
May 25, 2013 - 10:21pm
With under three minutes in the game an a two-score deficit, the Orange scored three unanswered goals to defeat Denver, 9-8.

PHILADELPHIA - With a two-man advantage, down two goals with just three minutes left, the struggling Syracuse offense had its chance to make a late surge.

It did just that.

SU falls to No. 1 Maryland in women's lacrosse Final Four
By Dan Connors
May 24, 2013 - 11:42pm
A late comeback by the Orange was not enough to ruin the Terrapins undefeated season.

PHILADELPHIA - The Orange surmounted a rally, a second half comeback, to take its first lead of the game against a tough, undefeated No. 1 Maryland Terrapin squad.

It didn’t last long. Just 100 seconds.

Maryland (23-0) regained its lead, scoring with under three minutes left to end Syracuse’s season in the Final Four with an 11-10 loss to the Terrapins Friday night.