Syracuse, N.Y. — Just as a football scrimmage got underway
following a … well … futbol scrimmage at Syracuse University's soccer
stadium at Wohl Field on Saturday night, a rainbow hung in the sky.
It was fitting that one of the most noted symbols of hope decorated the night because the passing downpour before the rainbow certainly didn't dampen the spirit of the crowd on hand to get a first glimpse at the 2015 Syracuse University football team.
"ACC champs, baby!" one fan said to his friend (with a wink) when asked what he thought of the Orange this year as they climbed the bleachers towards their seats.
Plenty of fans buzzed about offensive coordinator Tim Lester's new approach, including the mysterious hybrid (or "expressback" if you prefer).
They didn't get a glance of that as Lester kept things vanilla on this night. You never know when the prying eyes of the enemy may be present, even in what appeared to be a friendly orange-clad crowd.
The fans did get to see Steve Ishamel move the chains on plenty of occasions, walk-on running back Jordan Hill zig-zag his way to a 50-plus yard touchdown run and designated hybrid, (or "expressback" if you prefer) Erv Phillips flash his game-breaking speed on a reverse.
Mike from Sidney was exited about having season tickets to see the Orange for the first time, a gift from his kids who have all left the house now, and came to Fanfest to get a preview of what awaits him for seven games at the Carrier Dome this season.
But eventually every conversation about the Orange came back to staying healthy after a 2014 season full of injury.
As if to prove his point, Ron Thompson, the guy described by sophomore linebacker Zaire Franklin as our "most important player on the defense, hands down" watched from the sideline with his arms resting on crutches and his left foot resting in a protective boot.
Senior cornerback Julian Whigham limped off the field with the dreaded "lower-body injury" later in the scrimmage, joining several others who sat out the scrimmage with "LBI's," "UBI's" and other body aliments that were either serious enough to keep them out of pads altogether or wearing them with helmet in hand as they observed from outside the white lines.
Whigham's injury didn't prevent him from taking part in the autographs and photo stations after the scrimmage, though he walked gingerly off the field with an ice wrap around his right knee after all the selfies had been snapped.
Ryan took the opportunity for a chat under the door hang outside the Ensley Center, as we waited for a brief downpour to let up, to not forget the importance of special teams and of the Orange starting 3-0 against Rhode Island, Wake Forest and Central Michigan.
Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer knows he has to put out a better product than the 3-9 team Syracuse produced in 2014.
But he was too busy shaking hands and kissing babies (literally) to worry about that Saturday night as a long line of fans waited for the chance to meet the hard-nosed head coach under the lights after the football had been played.
"I like that guy," Mark remarked as we discussed the head coach. "I really hope he wins so he can stick around here for awhile."
Syracuse's new AD Mark Coyle holds Shafer's fate in his hands. He briefly addressed the crowd in the stands and thanked them for welcoming he and his family into the Orange community after hobnobbing under a big white tent with the smell of hamburgers grilling in the air and the opinions of SU's most influential fans, the season-ticket holders, fresh in his ear.
But Coyle's decision is still weeks away.
On this Saturday, a hearty crowd that filled the Manley Field House parking lots just wanted to get a taste of football (and futbol), maybe take a few selfies with their favorite player after the game and move on to enjoy the rest of their summer until Syracuse football kicks off in 19 days.
It was fitting that one of the most noted symbols of hope decorated the night because the passing downpour before the rainbow certainly didn't dampen the spirit of the crowd on hand to get a first glimpse at the 2015 Syracuse University football team.
"ACC champs, baby!" one fan said to his friend (with a wink) when asked what he thought of the Orange this year as they climbed the bleachers towards their seats.
Plenty of fans buzzed about offensive coordinator Tim Lester's new approach, including the mysterious hybrid (or "expressback" if you prefer).
They didn't get a glance of that as Lester kept things vanilla on this night. You never know when the prying eyes of the enemy may be present, even in what appeared to be a friendly orange-clad crowd.
The fans did get to see Steve Ishamel move the chains on plenty of occasions, walk-on running back Jordan Hill zig-zag his way to a 50-plus yard touchdown run and designated hybrid, (or "expressback" if you prefer) Erv Phillips flash his game-breaking speed on a reverse.
Mike from Sidney was exited about having season tickets to see the Orange for the first time, a gift from his kids who have all left the house now, and came to Fanfest to get a preview of what awaits him for seven games at the Carrier Dome this season.
But eventually every conversation about the Orange came back to staying healthy after a 2014 season full of injury.
As if to prove his point, Ron Thompson, the guy described by sophomore linebacker Zaire Franklin as our "most important player on the defense, hands down" watched from the sideline with his arms resting on crutches and his left foot resting in a protective boot.
Senior cornerback Julian Whigham limped off the field with the dreaded "lower-body injury" later in the scrimmage, joining several others who sat out the scrimmage with "LBI's," "UBI's" and other body aliments that were either serious enough to keep them out of pads altogether or wearing them with helmet in hand as they observed from outside the white lines.
Whigham's injury didn't prevent him from taking part in the autographs and photo stations after the scrimmage, though he walked gingerly off the field with an ice wrap around his right knee after all the selfies had been snapped.
Ryan took the opportunity for a chat under the door hang outside the Ensley Center, as we waited for a brief downpour to let up, to not forget the importance of special teams and of the Orange starting 3-0 against Rhode Island, Wake Forest and Central Michigan.
Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer knows he has to put out a better product than the 3-9 team Syracuse produced in 2014.
But he was too busy shaking hands and kissing babies (literally) to worry about that Saturday night as a long line of fans waited for the chance to meet the hard-nosed head coach under the lights after the football had been played.
"I like that guy," Mark remarked as we discussed the head coach. "I really hope he wins so he can stick around here for awhile."
Syracuse's new AD Mark Coyle holds Shafer's fate in his hands. He briefly addressed the crowd in the stands and thanked them for welcoming he and his family into the Orange community after hobnobbing under a big white tent with the smell of hamburgers grilling in the air and the opinions of SU's most influential fans, the season-ticket holders, fresh in his ear.
But Coyle's decision is still weeks away.
On this Saturday, a hearty crowd that filled the Manley Field House parking lots just wanted to get a taste of football (and futbol), maybe take a few selfies with their favorite player after the game and move on to enjoy the rest of their summer until Syracuse football kicks off in 19 days.
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