A quick take on Syracuse being invited to play in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl:
ORANGE TO PINSTRIPE BOWL: After going 7-5 in the 2022 regular season, the Orange will head down to New York City to face off against Minnesota in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. Overall, it is SU’s 27th bowl game, with the SU currently holding a 16-9-1 bowl record. It is also Syracuse’s first time playing in the postseason since 2018 when it won the Camping World Bowl. It also marks Syracuse’s third time playing in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Syracuse won the very first Pinstripe Bowl, 36-34, over Kansas State in 2010 and in 2012, defeated West Virginia, 28-24.
A GOOD FIT FOR SYRACUSE AND YANKEES: Initially, Syracuse was projected to play in the Fenway Bowl, but with SU’s academic finals falling during the week of that particular bowl, the Orange pitched to play in the Pinstripe Bowl instead, falling after the semester ends. It also is mutually beneficial for both the Orange and the Yankees, as Syracuse’s main alumni base is in New York as well as its recruiting footprint. “We’re thrilled to be invited to play in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl,” said head coach Dino Babers in a statement. “I’m excited for our players to travel to New York City and experience all the fantastic events that come with a bowl trip as a reward for what they accomplished this year. I’m also happy that our fans will have another opportunity to see us play in our home state after all their support this season.”
» Related: Syracuse defeats Boston College to cap 2022 regular season
THE LAST TIME THESE TWO TEAMS MET: Syracuse and Minnesota last faced off in the 2013 Texas Bowl, with the Orange winning 21-17. Minnesota leads the all-time series 2-3. Orange QB Terrel Hunt was named MVP after completing 19 of 29 passes for 188 yards to go with two rushing touchdowns.
SCOUTING THE GOPHERS: Minnesota finished 8-4 overall, and 5-4 in the Big 10. The Gophers started out winning its first four, but then went on a three-game losing streak, dropping consecutive games against Purdue, Illinois and Penn State. They then won four of its last five games. Running back Mohamed Ibrahim has rushed for 1,594 yards and 19 touchdowns.
GAME INFORMATION: The Orange and Gophers will kickoff at 2 p.m. on Dec. 29 at Yankee Stadium. TV: ESPN.
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