Orange grades: Receivers, pass rush scuffle in loss to No. 18 Miami
In Syracuse's 28-point loss to No. 18 Miami, the Orange once again struggled to pressure quarterback Carson Beck while its leading receiver had just 22 yards. Joe Zhao | Senior Staff Photographer
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MIAMI — Syracuse’s tumultuous 2025 season took its latest hit Saturday. The Orange dropped their sixth straight game, clinching elimination from Bowl contention for the first time since 2021.
Here are position-group grades for SU’s 38-10 loss to No. 18 Miami:
Quarterback: D+
After his benching against UNC, Rickie Collins earned SU’s starting role again. His performance wasn’t much better than his previous four starts, resulting in a 48% completion mark and zero touchdowns. A pass Collins delivered did, however, reach the end zone. Except it was for a pick-six.
Collins’ second interception was a mix of poor accuracy and misfortune. The ball tipped off the hands of Darius “Boobie” Johnson and just missed the Hard Rock Stadium grass before being corralled by Jakobe Thomas.
This isn’t a complete failure due to the first drive of the second half for Collins and Joe Filardi’s 3-for-3 final drive, which culminated in a touchdown.
Running back: B
On paper, Syracuse’s running backs excelled. The Orange produced a trio of rushers over 40 yards on the ground, including 63 from Yasin Willis and 61 from Will Nixon. Nixon’s 8.7 yards per carry included a strong third quarter with a long of 23. Willis earned a long of 22 and freshman Tylik Hill ran for 44 yards on eight carries.
The running backs altered some momentum in this game with Willis’ big fumble to end the second quarter. If Willis doesn’t cough up the ball, SU kicks a field goal to end the half and trails by just 11 rather than 14. Any points are critical at this point for Syracuse’s offense.
Willis also left the field jawing at fans in the crowd to end the first half. Not a great look for the sophomore.
Receiver/Tight End: D-
The Orange’s leading receiver against the Hurricanes was freshman Daunte Bacheyie, who played just six snaps per Pro Football Focus. That’s all you need to know about the performance of SU’s weapons.
Bacheyie turned in two catches for 22 yards. Sophomore Elijah Washington-Baker caught Syracuse’s sole touchdown. Syracuse’s starting wide receiver duo Darrell Gill Jr. and Johntay Cook II combined for just 35 yards on four receptions. Justus Ross-Simmons didn’t record a snap despite not being on the injury report.
Since Steve Angeli’s injury, this unit is far removed from its “You Got Mossed” highlights. They’re currently in survival mode.
Offensive line: D+
A drastic shuffle up front was put to the test. The Orange started Kam Pringle at right tackle for the first time. Injuries to Austin Collins and TJ Ferguson moved Da’Metrius Weatherspoon from right tackle to left guard and Joe Cruz from right guard to center. As a result, Syracuse’s offensive line allowed seven sacks, its most this season.
Per PFF, Weatherspoon graded the best at 66.4. Freshman Byron Washington didn’t play the first snap as discipline for being late, and head coach Fran Brown slotted in Matthew Hawn. Washington then played 70 snaps and produced a team-high 87.3 pass blocking grade.
Defensive line: C-
SU’s pass-rush continues to look for production from its defensive linemen. The Orange rank 12th in the ACC with 18 sacks and only 7.5 have come from their defensive linemen.
Syracuse pressured Carson Beck 10 times Saturday with only three coming from defensive linemen: one each for Isaiah Hastings, Kevin Jobity Jr. and Chris Thomas. SU’s rushing defense did limit Miami to only 28 rushing yards in the first half. But the Hurricanes put up 96 yards on the ground in the second half as they pulled away.
The Orange’s weakest unit continues to be exposed week by week.
Linebackers: B-
Postgame, Brown said edge rusher David Reese was “almost unblockable today.” PFF greatly disagrees with the second-year head coach, placing Reese at 27-of-28 SU defenders with a 44.3 grade.
Reese recorded two quarterback pressures but it was actually his fellow linebackers who got home. Gary Bryant III recorded a sack, and his six total tackles led the Orange. Anwar Sparrow also sacked Beck once. Antoine Deslauriers’ four tackles ties him with Bryant for Syracuse’s lead in tackles at 54.
Even with the injury to Derek McDonald earlier in the season, SU’s linebacker core has picked up some of the slack.
Secondary: C
The youth movement is in full effect in Syracuse’s secondary. Demetres Samuel Jr., Chris Peal and Davien Kerr all remain starters as underclassmen. Kaylib Singleton also mixed in 22 snaps and posted an 81.1 tackling grade — the third-best rank on the defense.
Beck, while slowed down at first, did breakthrough with a 61-yard shot to Keelan Marion. On the coverage, Kerr lost Marion in the middle of the field. Samuel, Singleton and Braheem Long Jr. each recorded four or more tackles, and the Orange limited Hurricanes’ star Malachi Toney to only two receptions.
This unit could see even more youth over the final two games, as Duce Chestnut left the field on crutches and Devin Grant’s college career nears an end, too.
Special teams: C
Just as Brown figured out his special teams unit, everything else fell apart. Tripp Woody added a 38-yard field goal Saturday, which puts him at 10-for-11 on the year. An extra point in the final seconds also put him at 21-for-21.
Jack Stonehouse also continues to excel. His six punts went for an average of 50.8 yards as the Orange and Hurricanes broke out into a first-half punting competition. His 2,290 total punt yards ranks first in the conference.
There was nothing too special about the special teams unit. At this point, Ricky Brumfield never really has the chance to do anything too special.
Coaching: C
While Collins didn’t have a good day, putting him back as the starting quarterback was the correct decision. Collins, as Brown noted postgame, gives SU the best opportunity to compete compared to other options currently.
The coaching staff changes didn’t make too much of a difference, but offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon did correctly attempt to establish the run. Elijah Robinson on defense also held down Miami’s offense for almost the entire first half.
A 28-point loss is horrid. A sixth straight is even worse. But at this point, what can the coaching staff really do but develop for 2026?
