As a former offensive lineman, Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone takes great pride in the quality of his team’s offensive line. Senior guard Zack Chibane stands out as an excellent pupil of his – both on the field and off.

Chibane helps anchor an experienced left side of the line with senior All-BIG EAST left tackle Justin Pugh. Chibane has started every game over the last two years and helped clear the way for a pair of 1,000 yard rushers – Delone Carter in 2010 and Antwon Bailey in 2011.

However, after winning the New Era Pinstripe Bowl in 2010, the Orange slipped to 5-7 last season. Chibane, who is an aspiring lawyer that interned at a local law firm over the summer, made his case that the Orange are primed for a rebound.

“We’ve had a great offseason,” Chibane said at BIG EAST media day.  “We know what we’re capable of – we’re looking forward to our first game.”

Football and his summer internship at Hancock Eastbrook in Syracuse were the two focal points of that offseason for Chibane.  The senior had to lobby the firm to create a spot for him after the firm discontinued its internship program.

“I want to play football as long as possible,” he told ESPN.com’s Andrea Adelson. “But you have to be ready when football ends because as we all know, it’s not going to be there forever.”

The Orange opens its season with a September 1 matchup with Northwestern at the Carrier Dome.