The 2011 Orange football squad is already reaping the success of the 2010 team. After an 8 win season and the program's first bowl win since 2001, the Orange is getting more respect on a national scale. Four of the Orange's games are scheduled for national television this season. The significance is not lost on head coach Doug Marrone.
"We have been on TV quite a bit years ago when we were very successful," Marrone says. "You know, one of the things that I like is that we're not afraid to play anyone. We put our school out there, we've always had the reputation that we'll play anyone, which I get excited about."
Some of the highlights of the year include a Saturday night road game on September 17th against USC. That game will air on FX. The Orange will also take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in a Friday night game at the Dome on October 21st, a game that will air on ESPN or ESPN2.
While the players say the national exposure is something to get excited about, right now, they're focused on the task at hand.
"There's definitely a lot of excitement around the program right now," says Orange senior running back Antwon Bailey. "But we start, and we make our mark on this program right now so we have to put everything together and have a great camp."
"We've been there, done that so we know what it feels like when you reward yourself, when you do so good," junior wide receiver Alec Lemon says. "We're gonna go out there and play hard and get through this preseason."
The Orange will open the season September 1st against Wake Forest. The game will be available online on ESPN3.
