What Is 2017 Syracuse Orange football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Syracuse Orange football team represented Syracuse University during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 4–8 record under head coach Dino Babers. The team played its home games at the Carrier Dome and competed in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Atlantic Division.

Key Facts

The 2017 Syracuse Orange finished with a 4–8 overall record
Head coach Dino Babers was in his second season leading the team
Syracuse played home games at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York
The team competed in the ACC Atlantic Division
Quarterback Eric Dungey started 10 games before injury ended his season

Overview

The 2017 Syracuse Orange football team represented Syracuse University in the 2017 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) season. Competing as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in the Atlantic Division, the team was led by second-year head coach Dino Babers and played its home games at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York.

Despite high hopes following an improved 2016 season, the 2017 campaign was marked by inconsistency and injuries, particularly to key offensive players. The team finished with a 4–8 overall record and a 2–5 mark in conference play, failing to qualify for a bowl game for the second consecutive season.

Record: The team finished the season with a 4–8 overall record, including a 2–5 mark in ACC play, reflecting struggles in conference matchups.
Head Coach: Dino Babers entered his second season in 2017, continuing to implement his fast-paced, up-tempo offensive system known as 'ACES' formation.
Home Stadium: All home games were played at the Carrier Dome, a domed stadium on Syracuse University's campus with a capacity of approximately 49,250.
Starting Quarterback: Eric Dungey started 10 games before suffering a season-ending injury, finishing with 1,811 passing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Key Loss: A 52–35 defeat to No. 2 Clemson highlighted both offensive potential and defensive shortcomings during the season.

How It Works

The 2017 season operated under standard NCAA FBS rules and ACC scheduling protocols, with the team following a structured game plan centered on offensive tempo and player development under Babers’ leadership.

Offensive System: The 'ACES' offense emphasized speed and player versatility, using four skill players and a single back to stretch defenses. It relied on quick decision-making and pre-snap motion.
Defensive Strategy: The 4-3 base defense focused on aggressive front-seven pressure but struggled with consistency, allowing an average of 37.1 points per game.
Player Rotation: Extensive use of backups occurred due to injuries, especially after Dungey’s exit; redshirt freshman Tommy DeVito took over at QB late in the season.
Recruiting Impact: The 2017 recruiting class, ranked 62nd nationally by 247Sports, included several contributors like defensive end Kendall Coleman.
Game Schedule: The team played 12 regular-season games, including matchups against Power Five opponents like LSU, Clemson, and Florida State.
Injury Management: Key players like Dungey and running back Moe Neal missed significant time, disrupting offensive rhythm and depth throughout the season.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2017 Syracuse Orange compared to recent seasons in key statistical categories:

Season	Overall Record	ACC Record	Points Per Game	Bowl Game
2017	4–8	2–5	29.1	No
2016	4–8	2–5	26.3	No
2015	4–8	1–7	22.8	No
2014	7–6	4–4	25.5	Yes (Pinstripe Bowl)
2013	7–6	4–4	26.2	Yes (Pinstripe Bowl)

The 2017 season mirrored the 2016 campaign in both record and conference performance, indicating limited progress under Babers at that stage. While offensive output improved slightly, defensive lapses and injury-plagued quarterback depth hindered sustained success. The lack of a bowl appearance for the second straight year underscored the challenges of competing in the ACC.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was a transitional year that highlighted both the potential and growing pains of Dino Babers’ rebuilding effort at Syracuse. Though the record was disappointing, the foundation laid in 2017 contributed to the breakthrough 2018 season, when the Orange reached a bowl game and defeated No. 2 Clemson.

Development of Dungey: Despite injury, Eric Dungey’s performance solidified him as a franchise quarterback moving forward into 2018.
Recruiting Momentum: The 2017 class helped stabilize future rosters, with several players becoming key contributors in subsequent seasons.
System Implementation: Babers’ offensive philosophy took root, setting the stage for more consistent scoring in later years.
Fan Engagement: Continued struggles tested fan patience, but the Dome remained a challenging environment for visitors.
ACC Relevance: The season underscored the difficulty of competing in a Power Five conference without depth or elite talent.
Program Trajectory: The 2017 campaign was a necessary step in a longer rebuild, ultimately leading to improved results by 2018.

While the 2017 record did not reflect immediate success, the season played a crucial role in shaping the future of Syracuse football. It served as a proving ground for young talent and coaching strategies that would later yield better outcomes.