free
MONDAY
oct. 17, 2016 high 71°, low 64°
t h e i n de p e n de n t s t u de n t n e w s pa p e r of s y r a c u s e , n e w yor k |
N • Policy update
Syracuse University announced it has formalized its travel and entertainment policy for university faculty members regarding SU-related business travel. Page 3
O • Old news
Liberal columnist Cole Jermyn discusses how the recentlyannounced debate topics won’t appeal to younger voters just like the ones previously discussed. Page 5
P • Girl power
dailyorange.com
This year’s Elect Her took place at Syracuse University as a way for young women to become more involved in politics and government affairs. Page 9
S • Hokie pokie
Syracuse won its biggest regular season game since 2012 on Saturday against Virginia Tech. Check out the best photos that tell the story of the game. Page 16
‘WHOSE HOUSE?’
Syracuse shocks No. 17 Virginia Tech, 31-17 at Carrier Dome By Tomer Langer asst. copy editor
E
ric Dungey took the snap from the Virginia Tech 30-yard line and took a knee. Then, the Syracuse quarterback started walking backward. He embraced running back Dontae Strickland with center Colin Byrne joining in. Near midfield, he rejoined the rest of his teammates who ran over from the sidelines and gave the obligatory “good game” to the Hokies players. By the time he reached the other 35-yard line, he was engulfed by SU students who had swarmed the field, celebrating the victory. “That’s what college football’s all about. That excitement, that energy, it’s so pure,” head coach Dino Babers said. “Anytime … you have an opportunity to experience something like that, it’s always going to be special.” The players walked backward after the game, but Syracuse (3-4, 1-2 Atlantic Coast) took a massive step forward in winning it.
So many times this season, the Orange has failed to put a complete game together, falling apart after getting off to a fast start. A program hoping for a spark from a new coaching staff after seven wins over the last two years was still stuck in neutral. But on Saturday, things changed for SU. The Orange never played from behind and the collapse that was expected to come never did. In its most dominant performance of the season, and its biggest regular season win since before the Scott Shafer era, Syracuse defeated No. 17 Virginia Tech (4-2, 2-1 Atlantic Coast), 31-17, on Saturday in the Carrier Dome. “Anytime you take over a new program, you’re trying to get everybody to buy in, to work as one,” Babers said. “That’s what happened today.” After winning the coin toss, VT elected to defer and let its third-ranked defense go onto the field first. On the sixth play of the Orange’s first drive, Dungey lofted see virginia
tech page 14
ERIC DUNGEY became the first player in Syracuse history to throw for 300-plus yards and run for 100plus in SU’s 31-17 upset win over No. 17 Virginia on Saturday afternoon. jessica sheldon photo editor
Orange ups expectations with win over Hokies
T
he Syracuse Marching Band started playing the school’s alma mater with very few students left in the student section, just like at the end of most football games over the last few years. In most previous games, it’s been because fans have left before the game ended, frustrated with a team that won just seven games over the last two seasons. On Saturday, though, it was because the fans stormed the field after SU’s first win against a ranked opponent since Nov. 10, 2012. “It’s so exciting man. I never experienced this a day in my life,” wide receiver Steve Ishmael said. “It’s most definitely a great experience. Just seeing all the joy and happiness on the field it was so amazing.” Since the arrival of head coach Dino Babers last December, the
TOMER LANGER L’CHAIM
motto for the team, and the program, has been about patience, about how it takes time to enact change. Babers had frequently mentioned that his system would really begin to flourish in the middle of his second year. After a loss to Notre Dame, he said his team “wasn’t fighting fair” yet because of all the injuries and the newness of the system. At his press conference the following Monday, he said his team was the batter and the cake hadn’t yet baked. But the outlook for the rest of this season has changed. Syracuse (3-4, 1-2 Atlantic Coast) played its most complete game of the season see langer page 14
RODNEY WILLIAMS came away with a huge interception in the end zone Saturday afternoon, recovering from a mishap on a Virginia Tech 52-yard gain two plays earlier. jacob greenfeld asst. photo editor