Scott Shafer is a fan of select statistics: turnover margin, missed tackles and ensuing yards allowed, first and third-down conversion rates.

But how about Rodeo Bowl victories?

In the six years of the event – a team vs. team competition of cowboy-esque mini games – five of the winning teams have gone on to win the Texas Bowl. And Syracuse beat Minnesota on Monday.

“Well I think if you have energy, you have enthusiasm and you have good effort, so hopefully that will carry over,” the Syracuse head coach said. “We’ve got enough time before we get to Friday to sort things out and make sure we feel good about the game plan.

“Our kids are not going to class every day. They don’t have study table throughout the day so they should have good energy.”

With three days to go before the Orange walks into Reliant Stadium to take on the Golden Gophers in Houston, Syracuse practiced for the first time at Rice University on Tuesday, and will do so again on Wednesday. Shafer said the game plan is in place and repetition is the biggest focus of these sessions.

Typically, Shafer said, the Orange will examine opposing teams’ tendencies during the practices leading up to games and break down strengths and weaknesses. Specifically, he said, SU is preparing for a few “unbalanced looks” that the Gophers have used occasionally this season.

“The biggest thing is you want to stay focused in on the things that have gotten us to the bowl game,” Shafer said.

But he said the “bowl experience” of the Rodeo Bowl has been important, too. And junior linebacker Dyshawn Davis agreed.

“Last night, that was just fun,” Davis said. “Just being competitive at the rodeo with Minnesota.”

There won’t be any mascot lassoing or stick horse racing on Friday, but Syracuse hopes that momentum will carry over and the Rodeo Bowl trend will continue.

Published on December 24, 2013 at 8:03 pm

Contact Stephen: sebail01@syr.edu | @Stephen_Bailey1