SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Syracuse wasted no time testing California’s front on Saturday afternoon, and the Orange quickly found the matchup they wanted in the JMA Wireless Dome.
The first quarter ended with Syracuse ahead 3-0, and the early numbers told the story of how the Orange wanted to attack. Cal had already given up 86 rushing yards, while quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele spent much of the opening frame under pressure.
Syracuse’s passing game, meanwhile, was slow to get moving. Steve Angeli completed just two of his seven throws for 41 yards in the first quarter.
Still, Syracuse kept finding ways to create chances on the ground. Tylik Hill started at running back and immediately broke loose for a 55-yard run that carried the Orange to Cal’s eight-yard line. Hill had a clear lane to the end zone, but he ran out of gas, and Syracuse settled for a 25-yard field goal.
Hill’s day was eventful from there, too. He later went into the medical tent after the long run and was also seen on the exercise bike once he came out.
Syracuse then added to the lead early in the second quarter, moving ahead 6-0 with 14:44 left. The Orange put together one of the more unusual highlights of the day on its third drive when freshman punter Jimmy Gregg threw a 12-yard pass to defensive end David Omopariola on a fake punt after Syracuse nearly squandered good field position.
Umari Hatcher also drew a pass interference call that pushed Syracuse down to Cal’s 16-yard line. But once the Orange got into the red zone, the drive stalled again. Syracuse had to settle for a 33-yard field goal, with the passing game still not breaking through.
There were also some notable personnel developments for Syracuse before kickoff. Five-star freshman wide receiver Calvin Russell III was dressed in uniform for the ACC opener and took part in warm-ups, but the school did not say whether he would play. Syracuse said on its availability report that he was a game-time decision after listing him as questionable earlier in the week, and it declined to say whether he had been medically cleared.
Justus Ross-Simmons also appeared close to returning. The fifth-year receiver was in his helmet on the sideline, which typically signals a player may be ready to enter at any moment. He later made his first catch of the season, a 22-yard connection with Angeli on a back shoulder throw.
Syracuse also had some movement on the offensive line, with Naquil Betrand replacing Trevion Mack at left tackle. Running back Ahmad Miller had not yet seen the field, while Hill, Shavane Anderson Jr. and Ju’Juan Johnson all logged snaps.
On the injury side for California, the Bears were without running back Carter Vargas and edge rusher Justin Beadles, according to the ACC’s availability report.
The matchup came after Syracuse’s 66-3 season-opening win over New Hampshire, and the Orange entered Saturday trying to keep leaning on the run against a Cal team that had already struggled to stop it. Syracuse also had its largest offensive line in the country and was facing one of four ACC teams - along with Clemson, Boston College and North Carolina State - ranked at the bottom of the Power Four in run defense.
Saturday was also Syracuse’s final game before a three-game road trip.
Quarterback Steve Angeli was back under center for an ACC game for the first time since he tore his Achilles tendon in last season’s win at Clemson. He threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns in the opener and was coming into this one after taking some hits and getting through the rust of Week 1.
In Other News...
Syracuse Turns Cal Weekend Into Another Big Recruiting Test
Saturday at the JMA Wireless Dome is shaping up to be about more than Syracuses matchup with California. The Orange have lined up another recruiting-heavy weekend, with a sizeable group of high school prospects expected in the building to watch the game and get a closer look at the program in person. For a staff trying to keep momentum going on the trail, these are the kinds of home weekends that can matter just as much as what happens on the field.
The list of visitors includes players from multiple graduating classes and across several positions, along with recruits who already have verbal ties to Syracuse as well as others still sorting through offers and interest. In that sense, the Cal game becomes a live evaluation day for the Orange, a chance to sell atmosphere, access and fit while also keeping an eye on where some of those discussions may be heading next. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Wasted Too Much In Its ACC Opener To Ignore
Syracuses ACC opener followed a familiar and frustrating script at the JMA Wireless Dome, where an early lead slipped away in a 21-18 loss to Cal. The Orange had chances to settle in and control the game, but turnovers and penalties repeatedly interrupted that effort, leaving a result that felt as avoidable as it was costly in the league race.
The damage started to mount when starting running back Tylik Hill exited early and never returned, thinning an offense that needed stability. Syracuse still had late openings to salvage the afternoon, but two missed fourth-quarter field goals, including a tying try with about three minutes left, underscored how much was left on the field in a game the Orange could not afford to waste. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Let A Winnable ACC Opener Slip Away Late
Syracuse had its chances in Saturdays Atlantic Coast Conference opener, but a game that felt there for the taking slipped away late in a 21-18 loss to California. The Orange never trailed by much, and with a steady defensive effort keeping them within reach, they were still in position to force the issue in the closing minutes after California had gotten a first league victory under new coach Tosh Lupoi.
The missed opportunity stung because Syracuse kept putting itself in range, only to leave points on the field when it mattered most. California leaned on Jaron-Keawe Sagapoluteles two touchdown passes and a disruptive night from Kingston Lopa, whose three interceptions helped swing the game, including the kind of play that turned a close conference opener into a frustrating finish for Syracuse. [Read more 🡒]