Former Syracuse Football Player to Be Honored at Saturday's Game vs. Cal

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Over the more than century-long history of Syracuse football, many players have won individual awards.

Former running back Ernie Davis won the coveted Heisman Trophy. Others have been selected to All-American teams, and others have been named to All-Conference teams. 

But the awards don't stop just because a player stops playing in Central New York. 

Following their playing careers, many Orange football players aspire to be named the winner of the Zunic Award. On Tuesday, the 2026 Zunic Award was officially given to Greg Allen.

Here's what you need to know:

Who was Mike Zunic?

Mike Zunic was a four-year starter at linebacker who graduated from Syracuse in 1981. Mike and his wife Judy died in a plane crash in Iowa in 1989.

What is the Zunic Award?

The Syracuse Football Club website describes the history of the Zunic Award and what it stands for:

"During their flight, the pilot, anticipating landing difficulties, requested if some strong passengers would volunteer to give up their seats and sit at the exit doors to assist passengers in the event of an emergency. Mike and Judy gave up their seats in first class to sit at one of the exit doors. They both died in the crash and those in the Zunics’ original seats survived. The award is given to a person(s) who exemplifies courage, self-sacrifice and spirit."

The Greg Allen file

Allen arrived at Syracuse in 1968 and graduated in 1973. As a member of the football team, Allen's legacy includes being a record-setting punt returner along with being a member of the "Syracuse 8." Despite the name, the "Syracuse 8" actually refers to nine African-American players who boycotted the 1970 football season as a result of their desire for change in the football program going unmet. They wanted the hiring of an African-American coach and better academic and medical care for all football players at the school.

The group was given the Chancellor's Medal in 2006.

Off the field, Allen has been a member of multiple charity and school boards, helping students and communities efforts to improve local areas. 

What's next for Allen and this year's Syracuse football team?

After an impressive 66-3 victory in game one of the season, Syracuse will host California this Saturday. The game will mark the first Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) game for Syracuse. Kickoff is set for Saturday 3:30 p.m. ET inside the JMA Wireless Dome. SyracuseRoundtable will bring you coverage all day.

Cal lost its season opener to UCLA, 45-24, and will enter play at 0-1.

Allen will recognized on the field for being named the winner of the 2026 Zunic Award at halftime of Saturday's action. 

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