Syracuse’s 66-3 demolition of New Hampshire on Saturday afternoon at the JMA Wireless Dome wasn’t just a comfortable season opener. It was the kind of statement that makes last season’s 3-9 finish feel a little farther in the rearview.
The Orange piled up the most points they’ve ever scored in an opener since 1929, when they put up 77 against Hobart, and they never let the Wildcats breathe. New Hampshire finished with only 150 yards of total offense, while Syracuse controlled the game from the opening whistle to the final snap.
Steve Angeli looked like a quarterback who had been waiting a long time to get back on the field. Playing in his first game since last September after a torn Achilles ended his 2025 season, he went 20-of-29 for 263 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. He stayed in through the fourth quarter even though the game was long decided, and it looked as if Fran Brown wanted to get the rust off a quarterback who hadn’t played in nearly a year.
Angeli also absorbed two heavy hits, including one that drew a personal foul, but he appeared to be fine.
The backfield made a loud early-season case of its own, even without the much-discussed transfers Ahmad Miller and Ju'Juan Johnson seeing the field. Freshman Shavane Anderson was the breakout name, carrying 10 times for 102 yards and three touchdowns. Tylik Hill added 15 carries for 90 yards and a score, averaging six yards per rush.
Syracuse also answered a big question in the passing game after losing Darrell Gill Jr. to the transfer portal and Calvin Russell III to injury. Umari Hatcher stepped right into the spotlight, hauling in eight catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Cole Weaver, a transfer from Miami (Ohio), contributed three receptions for 32 yards, and the Orange finished with 21 catches for 270 yards.
On the other side of the ball, Vince Kehres got a strong first outing as Syracuse’s defensive coordinator. The Orange forced two fumbles, registered five sacks, picked off a pass and even scored a defensive touchdown. The only blemish came when defensive back Chris Peal was ejected for targeting in the third quarter, though a rule change means he won’t miss the start of next week’s game.
Syracuse now turns to ACC play next Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET against Cal, with that game also set for the JMA Wireless Dome.
In Other News...
Steve Angeli Put Syracuse Fans Through A Brutal Opening Day Scare
Steve Angelis Syracuse debut was supposed to be a simple reintroduction after his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon, but the opener against New Hampshire briefly turned into something far more nerve-racking for Orange fans. He had to work through two separate injury scares during the game, a jarring sight for a quarterback only just back on the field, even as Syracuse kept rolling toward a one-sided win.
Angeli stayed in the game and finished with 263 passing yards and three touchdowns as Syracuse cruised to a 66-3 victory. The result also kept alive a long-running bit of Orange consistency, with Syracuse remaining unbeaten against FCS opponents since 1978, but the bigger takeaway from opening day was simply that Angeli made it through intact. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Just Got A Big Chance With One Of Its Top Local Targets
A familiar name is back on Syracuses recruiting radar, and this time the Orange get a real chance to make their case at home. Arthur Jones IV, a four-star defensive lineman in the 2028 class and one of Syracuse footballs top local priorities, is set to come back for multiple games during the 2026 season, including the opener against New Hampshire. The Christian Brothers Academy junior has already built a long offer sheet, but Syracuse has been in the mix since extending an offer in June 2025.
For Syracuse, the appeal goes beyond the rankings. Jones grew up in the city and carries a family tie that already makes every step of his recruitment feel personal, with his father, former Syracuse standout Arthur Jones III, having passed away in October 2025. Getting him on campus for several games gives the Orange an extended runway to show him what the program, the atmosphere and the community can mean, and it keeps one of the areas most talented prospects close to home for now. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Fans Have One New Weapon Worth Watching In Week 1
Syracuses passing game has a new target to keep an eye on in Week 1, as Cole Weaver is lined up to make his debut against New Hampshire. The redshirt junior transferred in from Miami (Ohio) after leading that team in receptions last season, and he arrives with a reputation that fits what the Orange want from a reliable wideout: strong hands in traffic, willingness to block and a steady edge in how he carries himself.
Weaver was also honored as Miami (Ohio)s Offensive Skill Position Player of the Year, which gives Syracuse another proven piece to work into its offense right away. For a team still sorting out its identity early in the season, his first game offers a chance to see how quickly he can translate that production into a new system and whether he becomes the kind of dependable option quarterbacks lean on when plays break down. [Read more 🡒]