Syracuse expecting sold out Dome for Saturday’s homecoming game vs. No. 1 Clemson

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University is expecting a capacity crowd when the Orange hosts top-ranked and defending national champion Clemson on Saturday night in the Carrier Dome.

The game is set for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on ABC.

“This is going to be the largest crowd that we’ve had here in decades, which is absolutely fantastic,” John Wildhack, director of athletics at Syracuse University, exclaimed. “We encourage fans to leave their homes early to allow plenty of time to get wherever they’re parking.”

Wildhack didn’t offer specific attendance figures but said the Dome will have “50,000 people in the building.”

As of late Monday morning, Syracuse had “less than 175 tickets left for the game,” which were all season tickets.

Wildhack spoke to reporters on Monday morning in the auditorium of the George R. Iocolano and William C. Petty Football Wing.

“It’s a great opportunity for our community, for our university, and for our program to be on the main stage,” Wildhack said, referencing the game’s on-air timeslot as the prime time national game on ABC.

Syracuse alumnus Sean McDonough will handle play-by-play duties while Kirk Herbstreit will be the game analyst. It’ll be the first time Herbstreit has called a game in the Carrier Dome, according to Wildhack.

McDonough will be on campus to receive the George Arents Award on Friday night. The award is Syracuse University’s “highest alumni honor, presented annually to alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their chosen fields,” per the website of the Syracuse University Alumni Association.

Parking, pre-game schedule

Pete Sala, chief campus facilities officer at Syracuse University, said he advises people to park at Skytop of Syracuse’s South campus, noting that all west campus lots are sold out.

Fans who don’t have a parking permit can use the University Avenue and Booth garages, which will cost $25 per car, the school said in a Monday news release. Parking at the Manley Field House and Skytop parking lots will cost $20 per car.

Parking lots open at 3 p.m. Shuttles from all parking lots in the North campus begin at 4 p.m.

Local band Country Swag will perform at Skytop between 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Cuse on the Quad opens at 4 p.m. with country singer Eric Chesser performing on the Quad. “The Pride of the Orange,” the Syracuse University marching band, begins performing at 5:45 on the steps of Hendricks Chapel.

Carrier Dome gates open at 5:30 p.m.

Tim Green jersey retirement

Syracuse plans to retire the #72 jersey of 1985 graduate Tim Green during a halftime ceremony. The Liverpool native is Syracuse’s all-time sacks leader. Green has also been diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

The evening’s tribute to Green includes an “Orange Out” for fans attending the game.

Syracuse says all fans can participate by wearing the 2019 version of the Orange Out t-shirt that honors Green. The back of the t-shirt displays Green’s name and number.

A portion of the proceeds from sales of the shirt will be donated to the Tackle ALS Foundation in Green’s honor.

Ahead of the halftime retirement ceremony, Syracuse will also celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 1959 national championship team during the first quarter.

In addition, Dwight Freeney, a Syracuse football All-American, will be on the Quad before the game with the AFCA National Champions trophy, the school said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com