NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
The Syracuse Orange faced their first test of the season against the Tennessee Volunteers, and while a loss is a disappointing way to start the season, some ups and downs keep hope alive for 2025. The Orange take on a tough schedule this year, but even in defeat, the groundwork of Fran Brown’s coaching held. Syracuse was in this game, but little mistakes made a big difference.
Good Vols Team
No matter how you look at Syracuse’s success, you have to give credit to Tennessee. They were more physical and came out of the locker room firing on all cylinders. A new QB in Joey Aguilar under center and a refreshed offensive line, you can’t take away the level of play Tennessee showed up with. Syracuse held them to just 247 yards passing, with their longest being 73 yards, but Tennessee balanced it out in the run game. The Orange can’t continue to give up 246 yards on the ground and expect to walk away with many wins.
Continuing Problems
The Orange had some all too familiar setbacks in their first road game this year. No one expected Syracuse to go in and smack around a good Tennessee team on their home turf, but there are still a few things that Syracuse needs to get under control. Mainly mental mistakes, such as penalties that cost them early on.
Then there’s the run game. Aguilar can run, but is not known for it. He had 6 carries for 34 yards and one huge run. Too many times, the Orange allowed big gains on the ground and got worked at the line of scrimmage. They need to find a way to close gaps quicker than the running backs are hitting them. Right now, even without the yards after contact, they’re allowing too much footing in the run game.
Better tackling. That’s it. That’s Syracuse’s biggest need right now. Everyone knows it. There’s not much left to say.
Settle In Angeli
The new SU quarterback had a day. Some great things out there, but some not so great as well. Angeli was not perfect, going 23/40 with 1 TD and one tough INT, but the ability was on display. Where the young QB needs to work is seeing the whole field, and faster. At times, Angeli would lock in on his receivers, never looking them off. He’s got the touch on the football that Syracuse excelled with last year; he just needs to find the finesse and confidence in his receivers to make better decisions. Not every play needs to go through the receiver. It was designed for.
Fran Brown Effect
One of the strengths of a Fran Brown led team is carrying over into 2025. This team is resilient. They could’ve easily hung their heads and just let Tennessee steamroll them, but they kept going. It may not have been pretty or without fault, but they always adjust. Unfortunately, this time, there weren’t enough adjustments they could make against a tough Tennessee team. So it’s back to the drawing board. How will they take this adversity and turn it around for their next game?
It’s safe to say, after their performance against Tennessee, that the Syracuse Orange might not be where they want to be yet, but that’s okay. If these young men can stay hungry, they can be every bit as successful as last year’s team and continue to build. From what we know of Coach Brown so far, there’s no way he’ll allow this team to stay down for long.
