Orange grades: Wide receivers ace, D-line slacks in Week 3 win over Colgate
SU’s wide receivers and tight ends combined for 443 receiving yards while its defensive line failed to record a sack in its win over Colgate. Lars Jendruschewitz | Senior Staff Photographer
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Syracuse enters Atlantic Coast Conference play fresh off its biggest margin of victory in the Fran Brown era. The Orange decimated Colgate by 44 points on Friday as their offense found comfort early and often.
Here are position-group grades for Syracuse’s win over Colgate:
Quarterback: A
Steve Angeli was nearly perfect against the Raiders. From dimes under pressure to perfect deep balls to a plethora of weapons, Angeli proved once and for all why he earned the starting job in fall camp, garnering an A for the unit.
Angeli’s first half was extremely impressive, as he missed just four passes and completed his last seven. His Pro Football Focus grade also finished at 93.5, higher than any of Kyle McCord’s last season. Twelve different pass catchers also recorded a reception, which is a major credit to the Angeli in my grade book.
While I loved what I saw from Luke Carney in his ultra-aggressive, yet short, gameplay, Rickie Collins’ opening drive interception is why the quarterbacks don’t get a perfect score. Yes, Collins settled in. But that first drive was ugly to say the least, and raises some concern if Angeli were to go down.
Running back: A-
The depth of Syracuse’s running back room was heavily tested versus Colgate, with both Yasin Willis and Malachi James out. However, Will Nixon, Jaden Hart and some others held it down to produce SU’s best rushing performance in some time.
The obvious hiccup that docks this grade slightly is Will Nixon’s first-quarter fumble, which was a poor bounce mixed with a lack of ball security. Nixon, though, was able to run between the tackles often, a trait we haven’t seen much from him in his time with the Orange.
Another key note was the advanced shiftiness of freshman Tylik Hill. He was simply electric with the ball in his hands and could be a focal point of the offense down the line. Willis will now be well rested for Syracuse’s matchup with Clemson next week, while the other running backs received some important experience. Doesn’t get much better than that.
Receiver/Tight End: A+
The first perfect score of the season goes to SU’s pass catchers, who dominated in every facet of the game. Syracuse’s trio of Darrell Gill Jr., Justus Ross-Simmons and Johntay Cook each recorded receptions on the opening drive. The intro set the stage for a gaudy overall performance where the Orange’s wide receivers and tight ends combined for 443 yards through the air.
Ross-Simmons missed most of the game with a small finger injury, but he’s evolving into a star in front of our eyes. Angeli likely agrees as he’s fed the senior, but Gill Jr. is already a star, it seems, as he ridiculously “mossed” a defender en route to six receptions for 152 yards and two scores.
The young guns also got involved, as Jaylan Hornsby notched his first career touchdown, Demetres Samuel Jr. tallied his first reception and local product Darien Williams finished second on the team in yards and found the end zone. In the tight end room, Dan Villari brought in at least four receptions for the third time this year. Not only is this unit leading the offense in the present, but it’s already building formidable experience for the future.
Offensive line: A-
The offensive line was hard to judge in this one. It kept Angeli afloat, which is a step in the right direction. It also showed off its depth — a move three weeks in the making — by giving Byron Washington, Kam Pringle, Zach Rice some meaningful snaps.
But let’s be realistic here. The Orange faced a defense that has now recorded zero sacks in three games. Syracuse next takes on a defensive unit with multiple NFL Draft prospects on its front seven. One good game against — respectfully — the Raiders’ poor defensive line will not do nearly enough to prepare for the ACC opener versus the Tigers.
Though that’s not their fault. As a player, all you can do is face who is lined up in front of you. The Orange put up an 83.7 pass blocking grade and a 74.8 for run blocking. Both its PFF grade and Daily Orange grades are significant upgrades from the first two weeks. But Death Valley will be the real test.
Defensive line: B-
This was a game where I really wanted to see if Syracuse’s defensive line could break out for a monstrous five-sack display. Spoiler alert, they didn’t. SU’s only sacks came from a defensive back and SAM linebacker. Dennis Jaquez Jr. was the only lineman to record a hit on the quarterback.
Colgate starting quarterback Zach Osborne used his agility to evade a few tacklers and break out of some tight pockets for positive gains. When Jake Stearney replaced Osborne, he still completed 70% of his passes.
SU’s top interior tackle Dion “Tank” Wilson Jr. graded extremely well per PFF at 88.6 overall and 87.3 on the pass rush. Both were the top marks on the roster. Still, Wilson Jr. isn’t enough. The Orange have a real issue on the defensive line. And for that they barely reach the honor roll.
Linebackers: B+
With a mix of Gary Bryant III’s experience and Antoine Deslauriers youth, Syracuse’s linebacker core is sharp yet a work in progress. Bryant had another solid game with three total tackles and Deslauriers recorded two. But we saw Jamie Tremble for the first time in a starting role at SAM linebacker.
Late in the first quarter, Tremble split through a window between Colgate’s left tackle and left guard with an inside move. All of a sudden, he had Osborne wrapped between his arms for his first career sack. Tremble’s freakish athleticism — which makes him one of a few two-way players for the Orange — brings real explosiveness to the linebacker core. David Reese adds production but didn’t do much against Colgate.
There’s some room to grow in coverage for this group. A few passes from the Raiders split through gaps or over the arms of SU’s linebackers. But the unit looks to be improving with each game.
Secondary: B
The secondary showed a mixed bag of results Friday. Samuel Jr. starred, breaking up a pass on Colgate’s first drive and garnering his first career interception. Brown continues to push him and it’s paying off.
Sophomore Braheem Long Jr. also had a career-best day. Just a few minutes in, Long Jr. tallied a huge tackle for loss before an interception. Simply put, he’s a playmaker. Long Jr. has earned himself more playing time, even when Devin Grant returns from injury.
The grade slips for this unit a little bit due to its second-half performance. SU slowed Raiders’ star wide receiver Treyvhon Saunders for the most part, but he finished with 105 receiving yards on 11 receptions. Reed Swanson also ended with two touchdowns on seven receptions. Swanson burned Chris Peal and then Davion Kerr.
Special teams: A+
SU’s worst unit from a year ago has possibly turned into one of its best. The special teams’ performance versus Colgate further solidified the idea. Jack Stonehouse had one punt for 64 yards. Jadyn Oh launched 715 yards worth of kickoffs. But most importantly, Tripp Woody has officially solidified the kicking game after making his only field goal attempt and all nine extra points.
The Iowa transfer is now 3-for-4 on field goals and 12-for-12 on extra points in 2025. Outside of the kicking game, Samuel Jr. returned a punt and Davien Kerr had his best yet on a 17-yard return through the middle of the field.
I’m still interested to see how Syracuse handles the kick returning game, especially with Malachi James out. We saw both Tyshawn Russell and Hill take returns Friday. Either way, Ricky Brumfield Jr. has this unit thriving right now.
Coaching: A
The Orange rested a few banged up players, allowed underclassmen to shine and still beat up on their opponent. For all of those combinations, Brown and his staff earn an A.
Holding out both Willis and Grant was a smart move as a gauntlet awaits, now giving Syracuse its best shot at downing Clemson next week. But we also saw a glimpse into the future of Brown’s program tonight. He repeatedly says he wants to build something special. If what we saw from freshmen like Williams, Hill and Kaylib Singleton are any indication, that future is bright.
The only disagreement I have with Brown’s coaching Friday night was bringing Angeli back out after Collins threw an interception. God forbid Angeli got hurt on that practically meaningless drive. The Orange would be in shambles entering conference play. Though the decision worked, as Angeli scored another touchdown before Collins came back in and scored one himself.
SU took care of business. Now, seven straight ACC games will define its season.
