Let’s celebrate Orange fans. We’re going bowling back to back.

For the first time since 2012-13, Syracuse football has punched its ticket to consecutive bowl games over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, (35-31).

The week leading up to the game started out hectic, as Syracuse football announced the team had fired head coach Dino Babers after nearly eight seasons.

Changing of the Guard

Orange Interim HC Nunzio Campanile – WETM Elmira

The Orange then shortly announced that tight ends coach, Nunzio Campanile, or as I call him, “Mr. New Jersey” would be their interim coach.

(6-6) Syracuse football (2-6 in the ACC), faced a challenge from an always competitive (4-8) Wake Forest Demon Deacons team (1-7 in the ACC).

They showed grit and mental toughness, as a late interception from Syracuse (S) Jason Simmons from the cuse one-yard line, allowed the team to prevail with a four-point win.

“It was a really tough week and they did a great job staying together; staying focused on the task at hand,” Campanile said. “Everybody in a really difficult week managed to stay focused on the task at hand, which was getting Syracuse football to a bowl game in back-back years. That’s a pretty special accomplishment.”

Players Stats

Syracuse football (QB) Garrett Shrader finished with a game-manager type 10 of 15 for 173 yards. He also pounded the rock for 46 yards rushing.

Orange RB LeQuint Allen (1) – Adrian Kraus/AP Photo

(RB) LeQuint Allen had a milestone day, scrambling for a new career record 144 yards on 32 carries and rushing for over 1,000 yards as a true sophomore.

The Cuse really shortened the game on offense, as the team tallied 244 yards rushing with 468 total yards; consuming the ball for 35 minutes.

Orange TE Dan Villari (89) – Dennis Schneider/USA TODAY Sports

The real gym class hero of the game was Hybrid (TE) Dan Villari. He is more than just your typical tight end. He’s a pass thrower, a pass catcher, and a run carrier as well.

The “Italian Taysom Hill” passed for over 50 yards including a touchdown throw to wideout Damien Alford in the third quarter. The multi-talented tight end also ran the ball for 50 yards and received a touchdown pass as well.

“Resilient,” Villari responded after being asked about all the moving pieces this season. “This whole team is resilient. We (have) been through a lot. I’m just so glad we could go out there and get this win and play another game with these guys because this group is special and we’re all really close and have a great bond.”

Shrader was another example of resiliency.  He came back for the final game of the season in spite of dealing with a plethora of injuries and balled out into bowl eligibility for the Orange. He was very emotional in his post-game interview when talking about his team.

“I definitely had a lot of different voices in my ear, just in terms of what I should do and regarding my career,” Schrader said, while choking up. “But there’s too many guys on this team that work too hard, but I’m grateful for them. I wanted to send those guys out the right way and a lot of these guys are beat up, but we were able to get it done so I’m happy for them.”

Syracuse Football Facts

*Interim head coach Nunzio Campanile came to the staff as a tight ends coach from the Rutgers Scarlet Knights; has a strong recruiting pipeline and a famous football family in New Jersey

*Coach Babers finished his tenure with Syracuse football; 41-55 overall (20-45 in the ACC)

*The Orange will learn this coming weekend their bowl game and who their competitor will be

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