What's Happening?
The Syracuse Orange football team began their 2025 season with a 45-26 defeat against the No. 24 Tennessee Volunteers. Syracuse fell behind early, trailing 17-0 by the end of the first quarter. Despite scoring 20 points in the second half, the team could not close the gap to less than 12 points. The game highlighted Syracuse's defensive weaknesses, particularly in tackling, as Tennessee amassed nearly 500 yards of total offense. Syracuse's new quarterback, Steve Angeli, showed promise with almost 300 passing yards, but turnovers proved costly.
Why It's Important?
The loss underscores Syracuse's ongoing challenges in defense and offensive line protection, which could impact their performance in the upcoming ACC games. With significant turnover in the team and a challenging schedule ahead, Syracuse must address these weaknesses to remain competitive. The performance of Steve Angeli and the offensive unit offers some hope, but the team needs to minimize errors to succeed against tougher opponents.
What's Next?
Syracuse will need to focus on improving their tackling techniques and solidifying their offensive line before entering ACC play. The team has limited room for error, and addressing these issues will be crucial for their success in the remaining games of the season.