Syracuse’s freshmen were part of the action against UNH, and a few of them made their snaps count in a big way.
Running back Shavane Anderson, Jr. headlined the group, turning 10 carries into 102 yards and three touchdowns. He did it in only 11 snaps, which makes the production pop even more.
The numbers weren’t just about space created up front, either: Anderson forced six missed tackles and picked up 81 yards after contact. He also posted an 85.1 PFF grade and made some history.
Julian McFadden was the other freshman on offense worth noting. The redshirt freshman, who missed last season because of injury, had not appeared in 2025 before this game, so he belongs in the conversation here.
He played 14 snaps, caught one pass for six yards and finished with a 55.6 PFF grade. Calvin Russell remains a few weeks away from making his debut.
On defense, Alex Haskell saw a notable workload right away. The Philadelphia product logged 17 snaps on the defensive line after arriving this summer, a sign that he’s already working his way into the mix on the interior. His PFF grade came in at 48.5.
A few other freshmen chipped in on that side of the ball as well. Gemaus Sackie played seven snaps and made his mark with one tackle, a fumble recovery and one pass breakup, good for a 91.4 grade.
Chase Geter also played seven snaps and earned a 63.2 grade. Ibn-Wadu Muhammad was on the field for three snaps and received a 62.2 grade.
Maurice Medley, Kamron Wilson, Kordae Houston, Walt Frazier, Jr., Jarius Rodgers and Cam Hairston-Taylor each saw one snap.
The special teams work was busy, too. Jimmy Gregg punted twice for 76 yards, with no return yardage allowed, and both kicks landed inside the 20.
He was graded at 61.6. Shay Barker missed his first extra point attempt and handled one kickoff that ended in a fair catch, while Tripp Woody showed a stronger leg, which points to Barker being the backup at both spots this year.
Darrell Stokes, Jr., JoJo White, Skylar Harvey, McFadden, Medley, Geter, Muhammad, Henriquez, Gough, Wilson, Haskell and Hairston-Taylor all saw time on special teams.
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 🡒]