44 Years of the Dome: Remembering the Greatest Syracuse Football Moments

Traditions are littered all over the landscape of college football. Every iconic football school has one, but here in Syracuse, nothing tops the number 44. Most every moment worth remembering ties directly to it, and the University is paying ode to it this weekend. 44 years of the Dome. While almost everything about it has evolved, we don't really care about the name, the interior, or the exterior—not when what we’ve seen on the field will live forever.

So I present to you, 4 of the greatest moments, to celebrate 44 years.

And we start by rewinding the clock to 7 years ago. It was Friday the 13th, 2017, and for a Clemson team on an 11-game win streak, Eric Dungey was Jason. Tiger QB Kelly Bryant suffered a concussion in the first half, leaving the team without its explosive leader. The Orange were able to execute a fast-paced, spread offense that exploited Clemson's defense, and down the stretch– some head-scratching coaching decisions from Clemson. Syracuse knocked off a defending national champion for the third time in program history, after coming in as the 22-and-a-half point underdog. Eric Dungey threw for 278 yards and three touchdowns– and it all happened in front of over 42 thousand screaming fans, during a season where they needed something to be excited about.

Donovan McNabb’s Legendary Throw

The year is 1998– and a clash for the top of the conference takes place in the Carrier Dome. This game against Virginia Tech was truly a tale of two halves. Coming out of the locker room after halftime– SU trailed 21-6. The comeback capped off with one of quarterback Donovan McNabb’s most legendary throws. In the last play of the game, comes a gutsy play call from Paul Pasqualoni. McNabb rolls out to the right, and throws across his body to find Stephen Brominski in the left of the endzone. Ball caught, the crowd erupts, cue the triumphant music.

The ’87 Team’s Decision

Widely recognized as one of the best Syracuse football teams in history– the 1987 season would be remembered a lot differently if not for some late-game decisions against West Virginia. Don McPherson drives the Orange to a late 4th-quarter touchdown to cut the deficit to 1 point. Head coach Dick MacPherson famously lets his players decide what comes next. Instead of the kick to tie it, they go for 2 to win it. With an undefeated record on the line, who better to end it than the one wearing 44 on his back? Running back Michael Owens seals the deal. Unfortunately, that was the last happy ending for the ‘87 team.

The Biggest Upset in College Football History?

Any moment in sports that stuns a nation, should be an undisputed top moment. Syracuse University defeated No. 1 Nebraska 17-9 on September 29, 1984. Syracuse trailed 7-3 at halftime, but dominant defense, led by Tim Green– limited the Cornhuskers to just 214 total yards. Pair this with two second-half touchdowns for the Orange – it was enough for Syracuse to forever find pride in winning a game considered to be one of the biggest upsets in college football history.