SU fans bring the energy back for home opener against UConn

Syracuse football fans poured into the lots and grounds outside the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday morning, eager to kick off the first home tailgate and game of the season against the UConn Huskies. 

Despite the classic rainy Syracuse weather, the tailgates buzzed with orange jerseys and the return of a long-held Orange tradition: gameday spirit. From the veterans’ tent to the freshmen tailgates, the excitement lingered throughout campus. More than 39,000 fans attended the opening game.

For many freshmen, this was their first time experiencing what it means to be part of the Orange family on home turf. One of them, journalism freshman Katie Jamroga, said it meant the hype behind gameday.

“One of my favorite parts about Syracuse is the school spirit and how hype everyone gets for gameday,” Jamroga said. “Being a freshman and finally getting to experience it for myself in the Dome is going to be a fun experience.”

SU won in overtime 27-20. Before the game, students were still optimistic even after the team’s loss against Tennessee last week.

“I think the game will be more competitive than most fans think,” sports analytics freshman Austin Roubenoff said. “This team has the potential to be incredible, as evidenced by the crazy upset against the Miami Hurricanes last season.”

Photo by Jack Henry

A Syracuse football helmet in the rain Saturday ahead of the home opener game against UConn.

Journalism freshman Brady Taylor said the team’s performance needs to be based on consistency in the upcoming season.

“I’m excited to see how our team bounces back on home turf,” Taylor said. “We showed flashes of strong offense later in the Tennessee game, but we’ve got to stay consistent.”

Even lifelong Syracuse residents were excited to experience the first home game of the season. Finance freshman Evan Zoanetti said he had been to the Dome growing up, but as a new student, the experience was entirely different.

“Going for the first time as a student has me extremely excited,” Zoanetti said. “It’s no secret that we have one of the toughest schedules in the country.”

Photo by Jack Henry

Syracuse students Alex Petro, Heaven Hunter, Tiana Gonzalez, Johanna Schober, and Carri Stewart pose in a mobile fan merchandise shop before Saturday’s home football game against UConn.

Quincy Bufkin, assistant director for Residential Community, hosted the First Year Connections Tailgate outside of Lawrinson Hall. Bufkin said the purpose of the tailgates is to reflect the increased excitement for the upcoming academic year.

“It’s about making sure that people know how proud people are to be a part of Syracuse University, and [tailgates] bring out spirit,” Bufkin said.

Photo by Melanie Honig

Attendees gather at the annual Stars and Stripes Veteran Tailgate Saturday before the Syracuse football’s home opener game vs. UConn.

The annual Stars and Stripes Tailgate was also in full swing on the field outside the Women’s Building. Around 500 people, many of them active or reserve members of the military, attended the event hosted by Michael Drum, operations manager of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs. 

Drum reflected on now-departing Chancellor Syverud’s words as he talked about his hopes for the upcoming year.

“Over a decade ago, Chancellor Syverud said that Syracuse once again needs to be the best place for veterans, and we’re hoping to do that every day,” Drum said. “This tailgate is an example of all the hard work of our staff and great team to keep making that mission a reality.”