Syracuse Football: How future Orange foes fared over the weekend

As Syracuse football gets set to play at Pittsburgh this coming Saturday, let’s have a look at how its other 2020 opponents did this past weekend.

Syracuse football dropped its 2020 stanza opener to North Carolina in Chapel Hill last Saturday afternoon, 31-6, in a game where the Orange defense had a relatively solid performance and the ‘Cuse offense proved fairly non-existent.

Multiple other Atlantic Coast Conference squads that Syracuse football will face later in the fall campaign also suited up this past weekend, and we examine how they did.

This Saturday at noon, the Orange will make a trip to Pittsburgh, and the Panthers sure took care of business over the weekend. Pitt absolutely torched Austin Peay, 55-0, in a home contest for the Panthers from Heinz Field.

In one of the more surprising results in the ACC, Georgia Tech went to Tallahassee, Fla., and stunned Florida State on the road, 16-13, at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Among the conference’s Players of the Week, disclosed Monday, are Georgia Tech sophomore defensive end Curtis Ryans, who recorded two sacks and two forced fumbles in the Yellow Jackets’ victory at FSU.

Additionally, Georgia Tech freshman quarterback Jeff Sims got named ACC Rookie of the Week after he amassed 341 yards of total offense.

By the way, the ‘Cuse, in its home opener on Saturday, Sept. 26, will host the Yellow Jackets at the newly renovated Carrier Dome. No fans are permitted to attend, this contest will kick off at noon, and RSN will provide television coverage, according to a statement from the league.

On Saturday, Oct. 10, the Orange will welcome Duke to town. The Blue Devils fell to then-No. 10 Notre Dame, 27-13, from Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind. Syracuse football also goes to Notre Dame on Saturday, Dec. 5.

Kyren Williams, a sophomore running back for the Fighting Irish, is an ACC Player of the Week. He tallied 205 all-purpose yards in Notre Dame’s conquest of Duke.

Liberty, which comes to the Dome on Saturday, Oct. 17, didn’t suit up this past weekend. Other future ‘Cuse foes that had byes over last weekend are Boston College and N.C. State. The Eagles are at Syracuse football on Saturday, Nov. 7, and the Wolfpack visits the Hill on Saturday, Nov. 28.

No. 1 Clemson dispatched of Wake Forest, 37-13, at Truist Field in a Saturday night prime-time affair. The Orange heads to the Tigers on Saturday, Oct. 24, while the ‘Cuse hosts the Demon Deacons a week later, on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Clemson star junior quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the favorite to claim this year’s Heisman Trophy, is an ACC Player of the Week. He threw for 351 yards and a touchdown, while Lawrence also scored two rushing TDs.

Finally, Syracuse football will travel to Louisville on Friday, Nov. 20, and the Cardinals got by Western Kentucky, 35-21, this past Saturday at a neutral site in Nashville, Tenn.

Louisville sophomore wide receiver Braden Smith is an ACC Player of the Week. He hauled in four catches for 110 yards.