Syracuse heads into Saturday’s matchup with UConn trying to steady itself after a two-game skid and a 15-day pause that gave the Orange plenty of time to reset. The trip marks Syracuse’s second road game of the season, and the goal is simple: get back to .500, pick up a second non-conference win, and carry that momentum into conference play next weekend.
The Orange opened the season with a runaway 66-3 win over FCS New Hampshire, a result that stood out even by the standards of a lopsided opener. Syracuse then looked in control for much of its game against California before penalties and missed chances changed the script.
The Orange committed double-digit penalties, including one that wiped out a punt return touchdown, and fell 21-18. Two weeks ago, Syracuse dropped a 27-13 decision to Pittsburgh, slipping to 1-2 on the year.
Quarterback Steve Angeli remains in the spotlight, but there will not be a change at the top of the depth chart. Fran Brown said earlier in the week that Angeli will start, while Amari Odom will also play.
Angeli threw three interceptions against California and followed that up with 161 total passing yards against Pittsburgh. He was benched late in the fourth quarter in that game and had only six passing yards in the second half.
UConn arrives at 2-2 after a mixed four-game start under new head coach Jason Candle. The Huskies opened with a 56-7 rout of FCS Lafayette, then lost 38-14 to Maryland, beat Southern Miss 48-20 and dropped a 24-21 game to Miami (Ohio). Like Syracuse in 2026, UConn is competing as an independent with no conference affiliation for football.
There is also a notable development for the Orange at receiver. Calvin Russell III appears set to make his collegiate debut after recovering from an Achillies injury suffered in March. Brown has already outlined how he plans to use the freshman wideout this weekend.
Saturday’s game is the 15th meeting between Syracuse and UConn, with the Orange holding an 8-6 edge in the series. Last year’s matchup turned into a comeback win for Syracuse, which trailed by double digits in the fourth quarter before pulling out a 27-20 overtime victory.
CBS Sports Network will carry the game at 12:00 p.m. ET. On radio, fans can follow the action across multiple affiliates in New York State, including TK99/105 (99.5/100.5 FM) and WAER (88.3) in Central New York, along with Cuse.com.
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Syracuse basketballs 2027 class got a major lift with the verbal commitment of five-star prospect Moussa Kamissoko, but the addition could make the Oranges pursuit of another top target a little trickier. Four-star wing-forward Ahmed Nur has already made an official visit to Syracuse and has also been to Florida State and Ole Miss, giving him a clear sense of the schools in the mix as his recruitment starts to tighten up.
Nur is set to play his senior season at CIA Bella Vista and also compete in the Overtime Elite league, two stages that should keep him in the spotlight as his process moves forward. For Syracuse, the timing is not ideal, with the roster currently full and no obvious timeline for a decision, while Florida State and Ole Miss are viewed as especially well positioned as the Orange try to stay in the chase. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Comes Out Of Bye Facing Pressure To Fix Its Biggest Issues
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The defensive side has given Syracuse a foundation to work with, but the offense has to do more than flash in stretches. Against UConn, the Orange need a more balanced approach and cleaner execution to start turning possessions into momentum, because another uneven performance would only deepen the questions that have followed them into this game. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Needs More Than A Win Against UConn This Weekend
Syracuse heads to East Hartford this weekend for a noon kickoff against UConn on CBS Sports Network, and the matchup has already drawn plenty of analyst attention. The discussion has centered on where each team might have an edge, which weaknesses could be exposed and which players could swing the game, all of it building toward a game that feels more meaningful than a typical nonconference date.
For Syracuse, the interest goes beyond simply getting back in the win column. The Orange need a performance that looks stable, convincing and useful as the season keeps moving, and that is why the predictions around this one matter so much. A victory would help, but what Syracuse shows in the process may end up telling the bigger story. [Read more 🡒]