Syracuse (2-2, 0-1 Atlantic Coast) plays its final nonconference game of the season Saturday when it hosts Holy Cross (1-2, 0-1 Patriot) at noon in the Carrier Dome. The Crusaders are the Orange’s only FCS opponent this season.

Holy Cross most recently lost by 13 points to Yale while the Orange got back in the win column, beating Western Michigan after two straight losses.

Here’s a preview of SU’s final game before its idle week and diving into conference play.

All-time series: Syracuse leads, 23-5

The last time they met: In November 1973, Syracuse, then 0-8, travelled to Holy Cross for a meeting of two independents. The ensuing 5-3 SU win — the Orange scored a go-ahead safety in the fourth quarter following a bad snap on a punt in the end zone by the Crusaders — was one of two wins that season for the Orange (SU beat Boston College at home, 24-13, the ensuing week). The last time Holy Cross beat SU was 1958, a 14-13 win.

The Holy Cross report: Even among FCS teams, Holy Cross is not very good. It ranks low in rush defense, allowing nearly 300 yards per game, and doesn’t fare much better in passing defense. It does, however, have a decent scoring defense, giving up just 26 points per game, 46th in the FCS.

In its lone game against an FBS opponent — Navy— the Crusaders were crushed, 45-7. The Midshipmen rushed for 428 net yards and four players combined to rush for six touchdowns. Navy punted once all game.

Even in its lone win, Holy Cross was gifted a victory by a New Hampshire team that outgained the Crusaders and converted more third downs, but somehow could only muster 10 points. With 1:56 left in the game, the Crusaders recovered a fumble in UNH’s endzone, sealing the 13-10 win.

How Syracuse beats Holy Cross: Very rarely is it true that a team can win by virtue of its talent alone, but this is one of those games. Maybe the Crusaders can hang around, but eventually SU’s offensive and defensive lines will start to dominate at the point of attack.

And with the Crusaders getting gashed so badly on the ground, expect heavy doses of Moe Neal, Abdul Adams and, if all goes right, Jarveon Howard. Tommy DeVito could also reprise his role as a surprise runner and contribute on the ground.

The Orange will still pass plenty and their offense should look and run exactly like normal for a half. But if this game goes as it should — like SU’s drubbing of Wagner last season — Clayton Welch and an imbalance toward running the football might be the highlights of the second half.

Stat to know: 18 — Number of consecutive games in which Syracuse has had a defensive takeaway.

“It’s a really exciting time and if you’re a fan,” Dino Babers said Monday, “to know that defense is going to go out there and find some kind of way to get to the football, it’s gotta be really, really cool.”

Player to watch: Tenio Ayeni, junior wide receiver, No. 8

Ayeni leads the Crusaders in catches, yards and has the team’s only receiving touchdown through three games. Averaging nearly five receptions a game, he’s a top target for Degenhardt and probably the No. 1 big-play threat.

Published on September 25, 2019 at 11:22 pm

Contact Andrew: aegraham@syr.edu | @A_E_Graham