Observations from SU’s season opener against UNH: Angeli returns, RBs shine
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It’d been 11 months since Syracuse last won a football game. That day — Sept. 20, 2025 — brought both brightness and burden. The Orange upset Clemson, started the 2025 season 3-1, but lost starting quarterback Steve Angeli with a torn Achilles.
You’ve heard the tale enough by now. Angeli gets hurt, everything crumbles down and Syracuse loses eight straight. The offseason was filled with the same questions and concerns about Angeli, the strength of SU’s schedule and whether the Orange could make a bowl game for the first time since 2024.
Syracuse got its first chance to respond in its 2026 season opener Saturday. And it went about as well as it could have.
Here are some observations from Syracuse’s (1-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) 66-3 win over New Hampshire (0-2, 0-1 Coastal Athletic):
Angeli’s return
All eyes were always going to be on Angeli Saturday afternoon. He ranked second in the nation in passing yards through four weeks last year, but, with his injury, it was reasonable to question how well he’d look. Granted, New Hampshire certainly isn’t the end-all-be-all test, but Angeli looked pretty sharp in his return.
The Orange punted on their first drive, but Angeli settled in on SU’s second drive, tossing quick completions to Cole Weaver outside the numbers and Umari Hatcher on a bubble screen. He then went back to Weaver for another 10 yards before Hatcher hauled in his second catch of the drive for 12 yards. He misfired on his first pass in the red zone, but — after an offensive pass interference call — found Hatcher in the seam for a 19-yard touchdown.
SU primarily stayed on the ground for the remainder of the first half. Angeli took a few hits, though, the first being a late shot near the sideline in the second quarter. He was then rolled up on in the backfield and stayed on the turf for a few moments. He began limping off the field before breaking into a full sprint, much to the amusement of the Dome crowd.
Amari Odom checked in for one play before Angeli returned. He laid a crucial block for Shavane Anderson Jr. on his first play back, helping pave the way for a 15-yard score. Angeli then found David Clement down the middle for a 27-yard touchdown to put SU up 34-0 in the first half.
Angeli played most of the second half, although the Orange mainly ran the ball. His main highlight was three straight connections with Hatcher early in the fourth quarter, including a 35-yarder down the sideline and an 18-yard touchdown. The quarterback finished his return with 263 passing yards and three scores.
New-look running backs
With Syracuse’s projected starting running backs Ju’Juan Johnson and Ahmad Miller injured, sophomore back Tylik Hill started for Syracuse. Hill finished his day with 16 carries for 91 yards, while freshman Anderson completed the one-two punch from SU’s backfield. Anderson totaled 10 carries for 102 yards and three touchdowns.
Hill got the rock on each of SU’s first five offensive plays, totaling 22 rushing yards and one catch for five yards. Anderson didn’t see his first carry until SU’s third drive of the game but gashed the Wildcats up the middle for 37 yards. He then capped the drive with a two-yard score, the first of his debut season.
Hill took most of the work early in the second quarter, scampering for a 16-yard gain before scoring his first touchdown on a two-yard run. Anderson checked in on the following drive, broke a few tackles and found the inside of the pylon for a 15-yard touchdown. He finished a monstrous first half with another 22-yard run and a two-yard touchdown on SU’s final drive before halftime.
The two backs combined for 193 rushing yards and four touchdowns, most of which came in the first half.
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Syracuse snags 1st win since September 2025 in 66-3 blowout of New Hampshire
Syracuse claimed its first win of the season Saturday against New Hampshire, blowing out the Wildcats 66-3 at the JMA Wireless Dome. Steve Angeli finished 20-of-29 for 263 yards and three touchdowns in his return from injury.
Still, Hill had a 40-yard touchdown run negated by a hold on SU’s first drive after halftime. He tallied 22 more yards, while Anderson recorded just two more. It’s a promising sign for the Orange, although carries may be hard to come by once SU’s projected starters return.
Kehres’ defense
New SU defensive coordinator Vince Kehres will face far tougher opponents in his first year with the Orange, but his unit performed as advertised Saturday. Syracuse allowed just three points and 155 yards while forcing three turnovers. The Wildcats didn’t cross midfield until 45 seconds remained in the first half.
The pass rush — one of SU’s greatest weaknesses last season — wasn’t really there until the second quarter. But it came with a loud entrance. UT-Martin transfer Keyshawn Johnson dropped New Hampshire quarterback Brooks Bentley for a 10-yard loss. The ball popped out of Bentley’s hands and was momentarily scooped up by Nissi Ogbebor, but he coughed it up and the Wildcats recovered.
The Orange didn’t wait much longer for that first turnover, though. After another Johnson sack, Rashard Perry got in Bentley’s face and deflected a screen pass into his own arms. Perry rumbled for 17 yards before being pulled down at New Hampshire’s 21-yard line. David Omopariola logged his first sack of the year on the Wildcats’ final drive of the first half, and although New Hampshire got within field goal range, it shanked a 45-yard attempt wide left to preserve SU’s shutout.
Johnson started the second half with another sack, teaming up with Tunmise Adeleye, to force a New Hampshire three-and-out. Davien Kerr got around to block the ensuing punt, which rolled out the back of the end zone for a safety.
In the fourth, Zyian Moultrie-Goddard scored the defense’s first touchdown of the year with a 26-yard scoop-and-score. Kehres’ unit couldn’t complete the shutout; UNH got on the board with a field goal in the fourth, but his defense scored more points than the Wildcats’ offense.
Other standouts
Angeli was the main story entering the contest, and the young running backs stole the show, but several other names stood out for SU.
Hatcher — a sixth-year wideout — was praised throughout fall camp as the leader of a Syracuse receiving corps that didn’t have a clear-cut No. 1 option. He paced the unit with eight catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns Saturday.
Defensively, Johnson enjoyed one of the best games of his career, totaling 2.5 sacks. He was the main star on an SU defense that didn’t allow a point until early in the fourth quarter.
Since the Orange defense made the stops often, SU’s punt returners got several opportunities. Demetres Samuel Jr. totaled 83 return yards on four attempts, although he had two long returns negated due to holding. He also had a 42-yard return after the safety. Kerr had three punt returns for 50 yards.
