SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Coach Doug Marrone said it when his players were wearing helmets and shorts, and repeated the message when they were in full pads. He’s focusing on the overall progress of the Syracuse Orange — and little else this — early in camp.
Syracuse held its first practice in full equipment on Friday, the same day the annual fanfest took place. Indeed, there is a new feeling around Syracuse Football, one of desperation and a much-needed fresh start.
That said, inclement weather forced the activities to be moved to inside the Carrier Dome, so all didn’t go completely as planned.
But the Orange are hitting now. That’s a good start.
“I think it’s a little bit tougher transition the first time you put pads on,” Marrone said. “I think people think you put pads on, and you go out right away and play. It takes a little bit of time to get used to the pads and go out there and hit.”
The Orange went 5-7 last season, 1-6 in the Big East.
