Syracuse, N.Y. -- Rex Culpepper was so convinced he wouldn't be playing in Syracuse football's spring scrimmage on Friday night that he almost didn't dress.

The redshirt sophomore quarterback who is battling a treatable form of testicular cancer made his case to play earlier in the week, but head coach Dino Babers gave an emphatic, 'No.'

So when Babers subbed Tommy DeVito out on the final drive and called Culpepper's name, Rex was shocked and awed. He trotted on to a standing ovation, then led the offense down the field for a touchdown.

The sidelines emptied as teammates swarmed to embrace him.

"It just felt surreal," Culpepper said with a wide smile afterward. "It was spectacular. I'll never forget that."

The moment turned a forgettable spring scrimmage into a flash of inspiration not only for Culpepper as he prepares for his second round with chemotherapy, but his teammates and the 2,036 fans looking on in the Carrier Dome. Culpepper aspires to be a figure younger cancer patients can look up to in their battles.

He's already apprehensive about the start of his second five-day, 25-hour chemotherapy session on Monday, but believes the memory of Friday night will only help him push through. The last two weeks have been a "honeymoon" for Culpepper, who expects to finish his chemotherapy on June 1 and be fully cleared for fall practice.

"I just feel like I'm really going into it like it's a prize fight and this is round two," Culpepper said. "I worked out, I practiced and this time I'm more ready for it."

After being subbed in, Culpepper was greeted with pats on the back from his teammates. Then he walked back from the line of scrimmage to hug Babers. The coach's message, according to Culpepper (whose impression is well worth watching the video embedded above): "If you go 3-and-out, that's it. If you go all the way down the field, good job."

That's exactly what Culpepper did, hitting junior wideout Devin Butler in stride on the first snap for a chunk gain. Then he connected with senior tight end Ravian Pierce and sophomore receiver Nykeim Johnson to keep the drive moving before targeting Pierce again on a 17-yard touchdown.

"The other 21 guys were under strict orders not to get close, or else," Babers said.

The fans erupted for a second time before stepping onto the field to congratulate Culpepper, pose for pictures with him and ask for autographs.

Moment of the night: Syracuse QB Rex Culpepper, who is battling testicular cancer, comes on for a drive. Here's a standing ovation from the Dome crowd and a couple early completions. pic.twitter.com/QN6QIQWkcJ — Stephen Bailey (@Stephen_Bailey1) April 14, 2018

Stephen Bailey covers Syracuse football for The Post-Standard/Syracuse.com. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook. He can also be reached anytime via email.