Syracuse’s offensive line is back in the spotlight, and not for the right reasons.
What looked like a settled, productive group has suddenly turned shaky again. After wins over UNC and SMU, the Orange seemed to have found some rhythm on the ground, with the running game helping drive the offense late in the season.
But that momentum took a hit in the first drive last week against Clemson, when guard Jayden Mann left with an injury. From there, Syracuse couldn’t control the Tigers’ defense the way it needed to.
Now Mann is out for this week, and the Orange also have to monitor tackle Trevion Mack. There’s more uncertainty beyond that, too.
Khalil Stewart, Byron Washington and Oluwafunto Akinshilo aren’t on the injury report, but all three have been dealing with injuries. With bowl eligibility hanging over a game that feels like a must-win, Fran Brown said the line could be in for another round of shuffling.
“We’ll have some things that we’ve got to do now to figure out who’s going back into the opposite side,” Brown said. “Do we move Joe Cruz to the other side?
Do we play [Akinshilo] because he had a little high-ankle sprain? Do we get an opportunity to have [Akinshilo] go back in or will it be Byron to play the other side?”
The offensive line has been a season-long issue for Syracuse, and the timing couldn’t be much tougher. The Orange need a cleaner answer up front if they’re going to keep the offense on schedule and give themselves a real shot on the road.
There’s also uncertainty on the defensive side. D’Appolonia has logged the most snaps for the Syracuse defense this season, and the Toledo transfer has been on the field constantly.
His leadership and experience have mattered, even if his coverage hasn’t quite matched the level he showed last year. If he can’t go Saturday, Syracuse could turn to Gary Bryant III on running downs and Zyian Moultrie-Goddard on passing downs.
At quarterback, there’s at least a chance Malachi Nelson could be available this week. That would be a positive development, but it would also suggest something is wrong if he’s thrown back into action in Raleigh. For Syracuse, the bigger hope is that Steve Angeli can bounce back this week, because that’s the path the Orange need if they want to win.
NC State has its own injury problems, and the Wolfpack won’t be at full strength either. Their top tackler, Popo Aguirre, is out, along with two safeties: starter Ronnie Royal III and key reserve Tristan Teasdell.
This is the time of year when teams have to absorb the hits and keep moving. Syracuse’s task now falls on Juan Castillo, who has to get the offensive line functioning well enough for the Orange to chase their second ACC road win of the season.
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Syracuse Walks Into An ACC Spot That Could Shift Everything
Syracuse heads into Saturdays trip to Raleigh with a chance to make a real statement in the ACC race, and the betting market has noticed. The Orange are listed as 2.5-point favorites over NC State at Carter-Finley Stadium, a sign that this matchup is being viewed as closer to a prove-it game than a routine conference road test.
NC State will have a different look on the sideline, too, with interim head coach Todd Goebbel taking over after Dave Dorean was fired on Oct. 24, 2026. That kind of midseason change can bring a jolt of urgency, and it adds another layer to a game Syracuse would like to control before the noise in Raleigh has a chance to take over. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Got Standout Performances But One Bigger Problem Remains
Syracuse got several encouraging individual efforts in its 18-13 loss to Clemson, but the overall result still came down to the kind of details that have haunted the Orange at times this season. Third-down execution and defense shaped the game, and while players like cornerback Davien Kerr, tight end Daunte Bacheyie, left tackle Trevion Mack and running back Ahmad Miller all turned in strong showings, the offense could not turn enough of that production into points.
The frustration is that the pieces were there for Syracuse to make the game more competitive, even if the final margin stayed tight. Instead, the Orange are left with a familiar and urgent task: they need two wins in their final three games to reach bowl eligibility, and there is little margin left for wasted opportunities. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Fans Have A Few New NFL Performances To Notice
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For a program that prides itself on developing pros, these updates matter because they show more than just roster survival. Some former Orange standouts are carving out roles on special teams, others are holding down spots in regular game action, and a few are still working through the weekly churn that comes with life in the league. The latest round of appearances offers another reminder that Syracuses NFL footprint is spread across multiple teams, with more names worth watching as the season moves forward. [Read more 🡒]