The Syracuse Orange entered their 1997 home opener fresh off a 34-0 thrashing of the Wisconsin Badgers. As they prepared to face future conference NC State, the Syracuse fans were thinking this could be the start of a special season.
The Orange moved up four spots to 13th in the AP poll and once again they started fast with Donovan McNabb hitting Quinton Spotwood for a long touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage. Dee Brown added a rushing touchdown and it looked like Syracuse was in for another dominating performance.