Yankee Doodle Dandies

Syracuse University bills itself as “New York’s College Team,” so it’s only fitting that the Orange football team will play in the inaugural New Era Pinstripe Bowl against Kansas State Thursday, Dec. 30, at 3:30 p.m., at the new Yankee Stadium.

SU formally accepted an invitation on Dec. 2 to represent the Big East Conference in the bowl game. It’ll be the Orange’s first bowl game since 2004, when SU lost to Georgia Tech in the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando, Fla.

“This is a fabulous opportunity for our institution as many alums live in the area and our fans can descend upon New York City for the holidays,” said Daryl Gross, SU director of athletics, during the news conference announcing SU’s participation in the game. “We continue to want to represent as New York’s College Team as we are the only BCS {Bowl Championship Series} school in the state of New York and plan to paint the city orange.’’ SU finished 7-5 (4-3 in the Big East) for its first winning season since 2001. Secondyear Orange coach Doug Marrone is from the Bronx and graduated from a high school about 10 minutes from Yankee Stadium.

“The opportunity to play in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl in my hometown is part of the whole dream,’’ Marrone said. “New York state is our foundation. This is another step in our return to prominence.’’ Syracuse was 5-1 at the old Yankee Stadium, including a 3-0 win over Pittsburgh in the first college football game played during the historic park’s first year in 1923. SU is 12-9-1 all-time in bowl games, including a 26-3 triumph over Kansas State in the 2001 Insight.com Bowl.

Big 12 Conference member Kansas State went 7-5 this season (3-5 in the Big 12 Conference). To purchase tickets and book travel packages, visit suathletics.com/bowlcentral, or call (866) 832-6746.

Until then, check out Marrone’s pre-bowl, live broadcast of The Doug Marrone Show Wednesday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m. at Red Robin, Towne Center, Fayetteville. Or listen in at WTKW-FM 99.5 or www.suathletics.com.

—Matt Michael