Syracuse gets a key defensive piece back for its ACC opener against Cal.
Chris Peal, who was ejected in the third quarter of Saturday’s 66-3 win over FCS New Hampshire at the JMA Wireless Dome, will not be suspended for next week’s game. A new rule change this year means the Syracuse star defensive back is eligible to play in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener against Cal.
That’s a big relief for Fran Brown, especially with Cal coming to town next Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. Peal is viewed as one of the ACC’s top defensive backs and is already on NFL scouts’ radar ahead of the 2027 NFL Draft.
The senior from North Carolina has now played 17 games across three years with Syracuse and Georgia. Against New Hampshire, he finished with five tackles. Brown said after the game that he didn’t have an issue with the targeting call, even though several fans and reporters thought the play was questionable because Peal appeared to lead with his shoulder rather than his head.
The Orange, meanwhile, opened the season in emphatic fashion. The 66-3 win was the largest home-opening victory in JMA Wireless Dome history and the second-biggest home opener win in program history.
It also gave Syracuse a 1-0 start after last year’s 3-9 finish, a welcome shift as the Orange look ahead to a much tougher test.
Steve Angeli looked sharp in his first game since last September, returning after a torn Achilles ended his 2025 season. He completed 20 of 29 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 9.1 yards per completion without an interception. Angeli stayed in through the fourth quarter despite Syracuse controlling the game throughout.
Brown may have wanted to shake off some rust for his quarterback after nearly a year away from game action.
Umari Hatcher was Angeli’s favorite target, catching two touchdowns and finishing with 147 receiving yards. With Darrell Gill Jr. gone via transfer, Calvin Russell III sidelined by injury and Justus Ross-Simmons dealing with eligibility issues, Hatcher figures to be a major part of the offense.
Syracuse also made plenty of noise on defense. The Orange forced two fumbles, collected five sacks, intercepted a pass and added a defensive touchdown in a dominant all-around performance.
In Other News...
Syracuse Just Made A Strong Recruiting Impression On Another Running Back Prospect
Kade Gibbs trip to Syracuse came during a lopsided 66-3 win over New Hampshire, but the freshman running back prospect from Spring Grove High School still found plenty to notice beyond the scoreboard. The 2029 recruit liked what he saw from the Orange, especially the way the running game looked, and he also spent time with several coaches, including Fran Brown, during the visit.
For Syracuse, the timing of that impression matters. Gibbs already holds an offer from the Orange, and he has made clear he has real interest in the program, so a positive campus stop only adds to the momentum. He also arrived with some confidence of his own after reporting good progress in his high school season, which gives Syracuse another promising name to keep tracking as the recruiting picture continues to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Faces A New Offensive Dilemma Before ACC Opener
Fran Brown gave Syracuse a useful dose of optimism as the Orange turn toward their ACC opener against California, saying fifth-year wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons is expected to be available after sitting out the season opener. The timing matters for an offense that was already navigating personnel questions, especially with running backs JuJuan Johnson and Ahmad Miller also expected back after missing the first game.
Brown also pointed to the long-term picture, noting that freshmen Calvin Russell III and Tedarius Hughes are working back from injuries and could be in the mix in the coming weeks. For Syracuse, the challenge now is less about simply getting bodies back and more about sorting out how quickly the offense can settle in once a few key pieces finally rejoin the rotation. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse May Have Found A Way To Make The Dome Matter More
Syracuse spent Saturday trying to turn the JMA Wireless Dome into more than just the place where the Orange play football. The university rolled out changes to the game-day experience, opening the area three hours before kickoff and adding touches like a T-shirt cannon in an effort to make the pregame build-up feel bigger, louder and more connected to the game itself. The goal is simple enough: get more students involved, create a more family-friendly atmosphere and give fans a reason to arrive early instead of just showing up for kickoff.
The timing mattered, too, with Syracuse taking care of New Hampshire on the field while the school tested a different approach to the day around it. The hope is that if the Dome feels more welcoming and more alive before the opening whistle, it can start to draw larger crowds for the games still to come. For a program that knows how much home-field energy can matter, this was a small but meaningful step toward making the building feel like an event again. [Read more 🡒]