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For the first time since 1996, the Syracuse Orange football program will travel to play the Minnesota Golden Gophers Saturday in a non-conference contest at TCF Bank Stadium (8 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network). The Orange (1-2) are coming off their first victory of the season, a 28-17 triumph over the FCS' Stony Brook Seawolves, while the Gophers (3-0) are coming off a 28-23 victory over Western Michigan.
Minnesota enters the match up looking for its third straight victory over the Orange, who last lost to the Gophers in the 2009 season opener, 23-20, in Doug Marrone's head coaching debut. Already this season, the Gophers have defeated the UNLV Runnin' Rebels (30-27), New Hampshire Wildcats (44-7) and Western Michigan Broncos (28-23).
For SU, this will be its second game against a Big Ten Conference foe this season. In this year's season opener, the Orange lost, 42-41, to the Northwestern Wildcats. From there, SU lost to the then No. 2-ranked USC Trojans (42-29) and last week defeated Stony Brook.
The Orange are looking for their first road victory over a Big Ten opponent since '06 when they beat Illinois, 31-21.
For more on Syracuse football visit the SB Nation blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician, while The Daily Gophers is all about Minnesota football.