The Syracuse football program will conclude its 15-day Spring practice session Saturday with a Blue vs. White game that will be played at the Carrier Dome -- Game time is set for 1 p.m. SU offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett will coach the Blue squad, defensive coordinator Scott Shafter will lead the White team, while third -year head coach Doug Marrone will evaluate play from the sidelines.
(Want to the latest up-to-date information on Syracuse's Spring Game? SB Nation New York will run a Live blog from the Carrier Dome Saturday starting at 12:30 p.m. We'll keep you updated on which players are doing what, and provide post-game recap and breakdown of the annual event.)
Starting quarterback for the fall, junior Ryan Nassib, will be behind center for the White team, which appears to be the stronger more experienced squad. Also, on the White roster is: Projected starting senior tailback Antwon Bailey, junior wide reciever Alec Lemon, senior tight end Nick Provo and senior defensive end Chandler Jones.
Backup junior quarterback Charley Loeb will start for the Blue roster, which also features: The 2010 Pinstripe Bowl unsung hero Sr. WR Marcus Sales, Sr. DE Mikhail Marinovich and Jr. free saftey Phillip Thomas.
(For a complete roster click here.)
"They are excited about the game on Saturday," said Marrone Wednesday. "When I came in there (after practice), they had already started getting after it; the coaches were getting after it. I just want competitiveness. We just want to go out and show how hard the players have been working and how competitive they are."
On Thursday, the Orange finished their final Spring practices, their 14th of allotted 15 sessions, in strong fashion.
Saturday should be fun for a fanbase that's expecting their program, which finished 8-5 overall and earned its first bowl victory since 2001 last season, to take the next step.