Syracuse will wear special uniforms designed to honor Ernie Davis when the Orange takes on Southern California Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at MetLife Stadium. The jersey features a commemorative patch, which revolves around Davis’ nickname “The Elmira Express” and includes his No. 44.

The uniforms are part of the Nike Rivalry 2012 Uniform Series. In addition to the patch, each SU player’s uniform includes a special undershirt, socks and gloves. The socks will have the “Express” theme and also include SU’s zip code of 13244 after receiving permission from the United States postal service. The jerseys also have the same striping on the sleeves from Davis’ career at Syracuse from 1959-61.

The special uniforms and patch are meant to celebrate Davis’ legacy in college athletics since he graduated from SU in 1962.

Davis starred in high school in Elmira, N.Y., before following in Jim Brown’s footsteps to play for SU. He led the Orange to its first – and only – national championship as a sophomore in 1959. He also became the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy in 1961.

The Washington Redskins drafted Davis with No. 1 pick in the 1962 NFL Draft before trading him to the Cleveland Browns. Davis died of leukemia on May 18, 1963, before he ever played pro football.