Greatest Moments in College Football: Reliving the 2001 Syracuse vs. Auburn Showdown

In the wake of a national tragedy, Hall of Fame defensive end Dwight Freeney and his Syracuse teammate James Mungro delivered a powerful performance that uplifted New Yorkers during the early days of the 2001 college football season. Watch the highlights from this unforgettable game in our featured episode here.

Less than two weeks after the horrific events of September 11, college football returned to the gridiron. Syracuse hosted the Auburn Tigers in a nationally televised Saturday night game that had special meaning for many. The Syracuse campus is 250 miles from Ground Zero, but the university and New York City are tightly connected. Thousands of Syracuse students come from the five boroughs and the outlying areas, including several football players. ESPN play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico informed viewers that 22 Syracuse alums were among the missing and presumed dead. The Orange’s first game of the season had been played at Giants Stadium, just across the Hudson River from the Twin Towers, adding to the emotion of the night.

Head coach Paul Pasqualoni admitted the return to practice was rough but emphasized that the best way his team could help the country move forward was to get back to work. “Your job is to go out and do what you do,” he told his players. That message resonated with Mungro and Freeney. Shortly after New York governor George Pataki took part in the ceremonial coin toss, the Orange took the field, and those two players gave all of Syracuse a pleasant jolt.

Mungro’s 142 rushing yards showcased his remarkable agility and grit. Among his three touchdowns was a 20-yard sprint past an overmatched Auburn defense. While Mungro’s performance was exceptional, Freeney’s impact was equally unforgettable. Showing the speed and power that led him to the College Football Hall of Fame, Freeney harassed Tiger quarterback Jason Campbell all evening. He finished with seven quarterback pressures and two sacks, stripping Campbell of the ball both times for crucial turnovers.

The 43,000 in attendance made a deafening sound, urging Mungro and Freeney on while waving American flags distributed at the gate.

Ultimately, the 31-14 victory was more than just a game; it became a defining moment in Orange history, offering a sense of hope and unity to the 43,000 fans in attendance and countless Syracuse alumni across the nation grappling with trauma and loss.