Syracuse (2-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast) faces Central Michigan (1-1) in Week 3 looking to build on its first conference win of the season. The game will take place on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. in the Carrier Dome. Here’s everything you need to know entering SU’s second nonconference game this season.

Do you remember?

The last time Syracuse started out 3-0 was in 1991. The then-No. 17 Orangemen defeated No. 5 Florida, 38-21, at home in the middle of a 10-2 season. Syracuse has had its bumps in the road this season, losing starting quarterback Terrel Hunt for the whole year in the first quarter of the first game and hybrid playmaker Ervin Philips for up to five games.

But still, Syracuse has a chance to get halfway to bowl eligibility just three weeks into September, much like it did 24 years ago.

Central Michigan head coach John Bonamego is coming off his first career head-coaching win over Monmouth on Saturday. The Chippewas lost their season opener at home to Oklahoma State.

Stock is rising

Despite coming off of a 47-0 win in Week 1, the prevailing fear surrounding the team was about its inexperience at quarterback. It was seen in SU’s smallest home attendance in more than three decades. But after a win to open up its ACC schedule, the sentiment has changed.

Eric Dungey was named ACC freshman of the week, and Julian Whigham was named as the co-defensive back of the week. It was announced that Syracuse will have its game against Louisiana State on Sept. 26 broadcast on ABC or ESPN.

Injury report

Philips will miss the next 3-4 weeks after having knee surgery. Tight end Josh Parris missed the second half of Saturday’s game, and his future status is unclear. Devante McFarlane returned to action on Saturday as the backup running back. He didn’t play in the season opener.

Tight end Trey Dunkelberger announced on Instagram that he wasn’t in attendance at Saturday’s game due to a concussion. Offensive tackle Denzel Ward was seated in the stands and was out with a “chronic lower body” injury. Neither of those players were listed on SU’s official injury report.

Game-week coverage

For all Syracuse-Central Michigan updates leading up to and during the game, you can follow @DOSports on Twitter and keep up regularly with dailyorange.com.

Published on September 14, 2015 at 1:56 pm

Contact Sam: sblum@syr.edu | @SamBlum3