Week 8 wasn’t exactly a showcase weekend for Syracuse alumni in the NFL, but a few former Orange players still found ways to leave a mark. With Zaire Franklin sidelined by injury, Kevin Jobity on bye and the Jaguars continuing to keep LeQuint Allen out of the mix, the list of real impact performances was short. Still, there were some bright spots - and one linebacker in particular made the most of his opportunity.
Andre Szmyt gave the Browns a fighting chance in a game that came down to the wire. Cleveland fell short on a two-point conversion, but Szmyt did his part to keep the offense afloat while backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders was at the controls.
The Browns settled for field goals often, and Szmyt knocked through all three of his attempts, including a 51-yarder. He accounted for 10 of Cleveland’s 22 points, though it still wasn’t enough to get the win.
On the other side of the ball, Oronde Gadsden had a quiet afternoon in a rough one for the Chargers. Los Angeles got thumped 44-22 by the 3-5 Texans in what may have been its ugliest loss of the season. Gadsden saw only a limited role, finishing with two catches for 17 yards on three targets.
The Chargers’ defense had a rough day too, but Marlowe Wax took advantage of the extra snaps and turned in the most notable performance of his pro career so far. He finished with eight tackles, second-most on the team, and added a defended pass that helped set up a Daiyan Henley interception. With the way he played, this could be the kind of game that earns Wax more run going forward.
marlowe 🤝 daiyan
- Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 8, 2026
Sean Tucker’s role for Tampa Bay still hasn’t changed. He was limited to kickoff duties again, returning four kicks for 92 yards. Even with Kenneth Gainwell managing just 16 yards on five carries, the Buccaneers still didn’t give Tucker any offensive touches.
Riley Dixon was busy in Tampa’s Sunday night 27-24 loss to the Bears, and he handled the workload well. He punted six times, averaging 48.8 yards per kick, with a long of 54 yards. Two of his punts landed inside the 20.
Ifeatu Melifonwu also made the most of his chances for the Buccaneers. Though he remains listed as a backup, he was one of Tampa’s more productive defenders against Chicago, recording four solo tackles, a defended pass and a fumble recovery. He has not always been a central piece of the defense, but when he’s been called on, he’s delivered.
Garrett Williams had the quietest outing of the bunch. In Arizona’s loss to the Seahawks, he played just one snap. After returning from injury, Williams appears to have slipped behind Kalen King on the depth chart, and there are rumors he could be moved before the deadline, which could give him a fresh start elsewhere.
In Other News...
Syracuse Already Has A Quarterback Problem For 2027
Syracuses offense left Clemson with more questions than answers after an 18-13 loss, and the quarterback situation is already shaping up as one of the programs bigger long-term issues. Steve Angelis afternoon reflected the uneven season he has had, with flashes of production mixed with the kind of mistakes and durability concerns that have pushed Syracuse into a rotation with Amari Odom and Malachi Nelson.
Looking ahead to 2027, the Orange may not have the luxury of a clean reset at the position. Eligibility rules, possible portal movement and the way Fran Brown manages the room will all matter, because the current depth chart does not exactly point to a settled future. Even with time still on the clock before that season arrives, Syracuse is already staring at a quarterback competition that could define how quickly the program stabilizes. [Read more 🡒]
Former Syracuse Coordinator Suddenly Lands In A Stunning Michigan Situation
Michigans decision to move on from offensive coordinator Jason Beck has quickly turned into a major financial story, with a report saying he could be owed as much as $10.1 million for the early end to his contract. The buyout reportedly includes nearly $7 million in salary and another $3.1 million in retention bonuses, with any final figure still subject to offset and mitigation depending on what comes next for him.
For Syracuse fans, Beck is a familiar name because he previously coached there before moving on to New Mexico and then joining Michigans staff this offseason. His abrupt exit from Ann Arbor adds another layer to a coaching career that has already taken a few sharp turns, and it leaves one of the sports most closely watched programs dealing with both a staffing change and a potentially massive financial obligation. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Freshman Suddenly Looks Like A Real Backcourt Factor
Ryan Moesch looked far more settled in Syracuses second game of the season, giving the Orange a much steadier hand in the backcourt after a rough debut. The freshman guard finished with six points, seven assists and a noticeable defensive impact as Syracuse rolled to a convincing win, a much better showing for a player who had clearly been trying to find his footing early.
Gerry McNamara did not hide the fact that Moesch had struggled in his first outing, but the head coach also made it clear he sees real upside in the freshmans game. For Syracuse, that growth matters, especially with Indiana up next and the Orange looking for more consistency from the guards as the schedule stiffens. [Read more 🡒]