Mayor makes maple syrup wager ahead of American football fixture

College football has a huge following in the United States, and the importance placed on the competition has been demonstrated by a wager involving 100% pure maple syrup.

In the run-up to the recent Syracuse vs University of New Hampshire (UNH) American football game – played on Saturday, September 5 – the Mayor of Syracuse, Sharon F. Owens and Town Administrator of Durham, New Hampshire, Todd Selig, made a friendly interstate bet.

Selig – who holds degrees from both Syracuse and UNH – offered a full jug of maple syrup from New Hampshire if the team lost, and Owens countered with a meal at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que if Syracuse came up short.

Speaking to the Foster’s Daily Democrat news platform ahead of the match, Owens explained:

“This is all in good fun and a great way to highlight the pride both of our communities have in their universities. We are looking forward to a spirited game and hopefully enjoying some excellent New Hampshire maple syrup afterward.”

The result was an overwhelming 66-3 home win for Syracuse in the season opener at the JMA Wireless Dome in New York.

Steve Angeli threw three passes for touchdowns in what was his return to action after an injury that ended his season nearly a year earlier, with freshman Shavane Anderson running for three touchdowns himself. It was Syracuse’s first win in 11 months after closing the previous season on an eight-game losing streak.

The state of New Hampshire makes approximately 90,000 gallons of maple syrup a year, during the sugaring season of February to April.