The late 1930s and 1940s had a decline in fortunes that began to reverse when Ben Schwartzwalder took over as coach in 1949.
Syracuse made its first bowl appearance in the 1953 Orange Bowl, followed by appearances in the 1957 Cotton Bowl and the 1959 Orange Bowl.
The 1957 Cotton Bowl Classic team featured Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown.

In 1959, Syracuse earned its first national championship following an undefeated season and Cotton Bowl Classic victory over Texas.
The team featured sophomore running back Ernie Davis, who went on to become the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy in 1961, and All-American tackle Ron Luciano, who eventually become a prominent Major League Baseball umpire.
Davis was slated to play for the Cleveland Browns in the same backfield as Jim Brown, but died of leukemia before being able to play professionally.
Syracuse remained competitive through the 1960s with a series of All American running backs, including Floyd Little and Larry Csonka.

Schwartzwalder produced 22 straight years of non-losing football, took the Orange to seven bowls, and won the national championship in 1959.
He developed some of the most impressive running backs the game has ever seen - Jim Brown, Ernie Davis, Jim Nance, Floyd Little and Larry Csonka.
Orange teams outrushed opponents by more than 22,000 yards under Schwartzwalder.
He retired as Syracuse's head coach after the 1973 season, which was Syracuse's third consecutive losing season.
Schwartzwalder left Syracuse with a 153–91–3 record.
The late 1930s and 1940s had a decline in fortunes that began to reverse when Ben Schwartzwalder took over as coach in 1949. Syracuse made its first bowl appearance in the 1953 Orange Bowl, followed by appearances in the 1957 Cotton Bowl and the 1959 Orange Bowl. The 1957 Cotton Bowl Classic team featured Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown.
In 1959, Syracuse earned its first national championship following an undefeated season and Cotton Bowl Classic victory over Texas. The team featured sophomore running back Ernie Davis, who went on to become the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy in 1961, and All-American tackle Ron Luciano, who eventually become a prominent Major League Baseball umpire. Davis was slated to play for the Cleveland Browns in the same backfield as Jim Brown, but died of leukemia before being able to play professionally. Syracuse remained competitive through the 1960s with a series of All American running backs, including Floyd Little and Larry Csonka.
Schwartzwalder produced 22 straight years of non-losing football, took the Orange to seven bowls, and won the national championship in 1959. He developed some of the most impressive running backs the game has ever seen - Jim Brown, Ernie Davis, Jim Nance, Floyd Little and Larry Csonka. Orange teams outrushed opponents by more than 22,000 yards under Schwartzwalder. He retired as Syracuse's head coach after the 1973 season, which was Syracuse's third consecutive losing season. Schwartzwalder left Syracuse with a 153–91–3 record.
Syracuse Orange football