SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse announced multiple updates to its 2019-2021 non-conference football schedules on Thursday, Feb. 1. Chief among them is that the Orange have agreed to a home-and-home series with former BIG EAST Conference rival Rutgers in 2020 and 2021. The Orange also announced a date change for their 2019 home game versus Holy Cross, as well as set dates for previously announced home games with Liberty in 2020 and Albany in 2021.
The series with Rutgers replaces the Wisconsin home-and-home series, which the Orange and Badgers mutually agreed to cancel in December. Syracuse will travel to Rutgers on Sept. 12, 2020 and host the Scarlet Knights, who now compete in the Big Ten Conference, at the Carrier Dome on Sept. 11, 2021.
The two-game series rekindles a regional football rivalry that dates back to 1914. Syracuse and Rutgers played every season from 1980-2012, including 22 meetings as conference foes when both were members of the BIG EAST. The Orange hold a 30-12-1 advantage in the series. Syracuse's most recent win against the Scarlet Knights was in 2010, a 13-10 decision at Rutgers Stadium that clinched bowl eligibility for the Orange.
"We are very pleased to renew this series," Syracuse Director of Athletics
John Wildhack said. "Rutgers is one of our traditional Northeast opponents, and we had some great games when both schools were in the BIG EAST.
"It's an exciting game for our fan base, especially those in the Tri-State Area, and it fits with our philosophy to supplement a strong ACC schedule with attractive non-conference games."
HOLY CROSS GAME MOVED
Previously scheduled for Aug. 31, 2019, Syracuse's home game against FCS opponent Holy Cross will now be played on Sept. 28, 2019. The matchup will be the 29th between the Orange and Crusaders, and first since 1973.
DATES SET FOR GAMES VERSUS LIBERTY IN 2020 AND ALBANY IN 2021
The Liberty Flames will visit the Carrier Dome for the first time on Oct. 17, 2020. The game is the second of a three-game series announced by the schools in May of 2017.
Finally, Syracuse is set to open the 2021 season against Albany. The first gridiron pairing between the Orange and Great Danes is slated for Sept. 4, 2021.