A near capacity crowd turned out to watch the kickoff of the Doug Marrone era.
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.
Competition runs high when SU sororities play Powder Puff football for charity.
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 Syracuse University football program adjusts to life under a new head coach.
Syracuse University’s Football team wrapped up spring practice April 18 with the annual spring game. While the game showed off all of the changes implemented in the playbook, the players are seeing changes around the program and with themselves.
Some players are changing positions, like Andrew Robinson—once the team's quarterback, he is now a backup tight end. Eight different players have left the program since the arrival of head coach Doug Marrone.