1987 Syracuse Football: Stories from an undefeated season

Former Orangemen relive the magical run to the Sugar Bowl and Pat Dye's controversial decision to play for a tie.

[@scoonman]

I still remember Pat Dye saying something along the lines of “well if they didn’t want the tie they should’ve blocked the kick”🤬🤬🤬

[@MitchMitchellStories]

Couldn't be more proud of what this team accomplished that year. McPherson also almost won the Heisman; that was sweet!

[@anthony0358]

I remember Ed Coleman a Syracuse Grad, said on WFAN the next that Auburn would not have gone for a tie against a power 5 team like Nebraska, or Oklahoma. Then, the next year against Florida State in the Sugar Bowl, Auburn was down 13-7, midway through the 4th quarter, he went for it on 4th down rather than kick a field goal and leave Auburn in a position at 13-10 to go for another tie.

[@rankinnwc]

I am sure that Dye said something like "Our fans could never accept us losing to a team from up north like Syracuse"

[@therealist218]

Coach Mangram was my Highschool coach solid guy!!

[@juliansmith6291]

In my opinion the 1987 undefeated Syracuse Orangemen probajbly could've won the national championship that year in the orange Bowl verses either the Miami hurricanes or Barry Switzer's Oklahoma Sooners

[@johnconnell4503]

Im from syracuse.....no way

[@robertlane6772]

@@johnconnell4503 I must agree with you,John! There were 2 great teams in the '88 Sugar Bowl,and there were 2 great coaches. Though I purchased my tickets from scalpers in the streets of Birmingham,it was still money well spent! Given Pat Dye's 2 choices,I think he made a sound decision to kick the field goal with only 4 seconds remaining in the game!

[@juliansmith4352]

@@robertlane6772 That 1987 Syracuse team just like their basketball team did that same year should've had a chance for the national championship in the orange Bowl verses either the Miami Hurricanes coached by Jimmy Johnson or Oklahoma Sooners coached by Barry Switzer

[@juliansmith4352]

@@robertlane6772 Pat Dye should've take a chance like in poker think if college football already had a overtime system put in place

[@Youtube304s]

@@juliansmith4352 lol. Tied.

[@saltyslug853]

Syracuse didn’t play anyone outside of Penn State. Miami or Oklahoma would have trucked Syracuse badly.

[@markhousman8447]

It was a magical season, but have to agree with you.