Syracuse Football: Key takeaways from the ‘Cuse 65-0 win over Colgate

The Syracuse football team started the 2023 season with a decisive home victory over CNY neighbor Colgate, 65-0. This win was a chance to show what you’d want to see in a game like this: that they came to play and dominate an FCS opponent.

I’m not shy in admitting I am a fan of these games to open the season or a “preseason” or as “Voice of the Orange” Matt Park stated on ESPN Syracuse’s Orange Nation program leading up to the game, even a spring opponent.

It allows as head coach Dino Babers stated in his post-game press conference the opportunity to “play your entire team pretty much.”

And while some will see this score and say, “that’s what Syracuse should do,” you’re not wrong but these games are great tests for your team depth against a real opponent and see where you’re at with who is where going forward. And if Syracuse football struggles or players perform differently in game situations, you can make adjustments before getting into ACC action.

Syracuse football was dominant in its week-one victory.

This game saw Marlowe Wax Jr. get an unblocked sack that got the crowd pumping, Garrett Shrader and Carlos Del Rio-Wilson find multiple receivers for touchdowns, LeQuint Allen Jr. get over 100 yards and a touchdown, and a pick-six from Jeremiah Wilson. Needless to say, the train horn got a good start to the season as well.

Make no mistake about it, an opponent is an opponent and this one was dominated but gave many players an opportunity to show what they can do. Players like Wax, Shrader and Oronde Gadsden II proved they’re who we thought they were and ‘Cuse players like CDRW, Wilson and Isaiah Jones are ready to step up.

With this strong start, comes more opportunity. You’re now more likely to be heavy favorites against many teams, more likely to get poll votes and more opportunities for better TV options and maybe even consideration for ESPN College GameDay. And more attention for players and the program…I mean even Otto the Orange got interviewed on TV.

Next up for Syracuse football is Western Michigan in the Dome at 3:30 pm on Saturday. The Broncos are coming off a 35-17 win over St. Francis. Can Syracuse football start 2-0 to stay on the road to a successful season? And how successful can they be? #WhyNotCuse