ACCDN VIDEO: Game Highlights | Philips Carries Defender Over Goal Line for TD

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (cuse.com) – Quarterback Eric Dungey completed 28-of-36 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns and Syracuse claimed its fourth straight season opener in a 50-7 victory against Central Connecticut State on Friday night in the Dome.

Dungey, who had the seventh 300-yard passing game of his career, added two rushing touchdowns.


Faster . . . 
It took 2:52 for the Orange to get on the board first. Mixing the run and pass, quarterback Eric Dungey guided Syracuse 70 yards in eight plays. He capped the drive with an 11-yard bootleg.

On Syracuse's next possession, it took less than a minute to add to the total. The Orange covered 50 yards in four plays and Dontae Strickland trotted in from six yards away.

Syracuse's speediest scoring march of the evening came in the second quarter. It took three plays to move 50 yards in 56 seconds with Dungey and Mo Neal teaming on a 52-yard pass play to put the Orange up, 31-0.

Dungey Streaks
In his first game action since November 5, 2016, Dungey showed very little rust. He completed his first 13 attempts for 167 yards and a touchdown. His first misfire came with less than 30 seconds left in the opening quarter on a deep attempt to Steve Ishmael.

Dungey had also completed his last pass attempt of the prior season, against Clemson, before his season was ended by injury. In all, Dungey connected on 14 straight throws.

Syracuse Defense Exhibits Third-Down Efficiency
The Orange defense was especially stingy on third down against Central Connecticut. The Blue Devils were 1-of-15, including 0-of-8 to start the game, on third-down conversion attempts against Syracuse.

Catch It If You Can
At halftime, Steve Ishmael had already equaled his career high for catches with eight. He didn't stop there and finished the contest with a game-best 12 receptions for 134 yards.

Another Successful Opener
With the victory, Syracuse improved its record in season-opening games to 82-42-4. Here are some other notable first-game notes:

• The Orange are now 70-18-4 in home openers.
• Coach Dino Babers is 2-0 in season beginners with the Orange. He is first Syracuse coach to win his first two openers since Paul Pasqualoni (1991, 1992).
• Syracuse has captured four consecutive campaign openers.
• The Orange improved to 11-9 in openers in the Dome.