The 2013 Syracuse Orange football team represented Syracuse University in the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Orange were led by first year head coach Scott Shafer and played their home games at the Carrier Dome. The season marked their first as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference, after their final season in the Big East Conference in 2012. They finished the season 7âÂÂ6, 4âÂÂ4 in ACC play to finish in a tie for third place in the Atlantic Division. They were invited to the Texas Bowl where they defeated Minnesota.
The Orange's 2012 season was their last as members of the Big East Conference. They finished the year with an 8âÂÂ5 record, and finished as conference co-champions, with a 5âÂÂ2 record in Big East play. The Orange capped off their season with a win in the 2012 New Era Pinstripe Bowl over long-time rival West Virginia.
After the conclusion of the season, head coach Doug Marrone was mentioned by several sportswriters as a possible candidate for a head coaching job in the National Football League. On January 6, 2013, Marrone was introduced as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett departed for Buffalo as well, leaving a number of coaching positions open. On January 9, Syracuse announced the promotion of defensive coordinator Scott Shafer to head coach. Shortly thereafter, George McDonald was announced as the new offensive coordinator, and Chuck Bullough was announced as the new defensive coordinator.
Penn State Leads Series: 43âÂÂ23âÂÂ5
The Orange opened their season by traveling to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ to renew their rivalry with the Penn State Nittany Lions. This was the 71st all-time meeting between the two schools.
Neither offense could get much going in the first half, and the score stood 6âÂÂ3 in favor of Penn State at the break. The second half proved to be better for the Lions, as quarterback Christian Hackenberg lead the team to a 23âÂÂ10 lead early in the 4th quarter. A Jerome Smith touchdown late in the game cut the deficit to 23âÂÂ17, but the potential Orange comeback fell short when quarterback Drew Allen threw his second interception of the game late in the 4th.
Series Tied: 5âÂÂ5
For the second consecutive season, the Orange lost to the Northwestern Wildcats of the Big Ten Conference.
Syracuse Leads Series: 1âÂÂ0
The Orange hosted Wagner in their home opener at the Carrier Dome in the first ever meeting between the two universities.
Syracuse's offense put on a dominating performance and rolled to a 54âÂÂ0 win, their first of the season.
Syracuse Leads Series: 7âÂÂ1
Tulane visits the Carrier Dome for the first time since the 1999 season. This is the second meeting in three years between the two teams.
Syracuse is Tied in Series: 1âÂÂ1
The Orange's first conference game as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference was a matchup against the 3rd ranked Clemson Tigers. This was the second all-time meeting between Clemson and Syracuse, with the first ending in a 41âÂÂ0 victory for the Orange in the 1996 Gator Bowl.
Clemson evened the overall series with a 49âÂÂ14 victory behind a career night by Tajh Boyd who went 20 for 27 for 455 yards and 5 touchdowns.
NC State Leads Series: 6âÂÂ1
Syracuse traveled to Raleigh, NC for a game against the NC State Wolfpack.
Georgia Tech Leads Series: 2âÂÂ0
Syracuse looked to avenge a 51âÂÂ14 drubbing at the hands of Georgia Tech in their last meeting, which was the 2004 Champs Sports Bowl.
Series Tied: 1âÂÂ1
The last meeting between the two schools occurred in the 2011 season, with the Orange winning in a thrilling overtime affair.
Syracuse Leads Series: 18âÂÂ14âÂÂ2
This was the only conference matchup between these two teams, as the Terrapins will be joining the Big Ten Conference for the 2014 season.
Florida State Leads Series: 5âÂÂ1
The Orange made their last road trip of the season to take on the Florida State Seminoles. This was their first game as conference opponents.
Pittsburgh Leads Series: 34âÂÂ31âÂÂ3
The Orange hosted familiar rival Pittsburgh in their first meeting as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. This matchup was designated as a protected inter-division crossover game that will be played annually.
Syracuse Leads Series: 28âÂÂ18
Formerly Big East Conference rivals, Syracuse and Boston College played their first game as conference opponents to close out the regular season. The 2013 edition was a must-win for the Orange in order to be bowl-eligible.