It's tough to glean too much from Syracuse football's thrashing of nearby Colgate on Friday evening. First, it's just one game. Second, the Raiders are a Football Championship Subdivision ("FCS") program.
Still, credit Colgate (0-3) for putting up a fight, especially in the third quarter, when the Raiders outscored the Orange, 14-7. Patriot League member Colgate also put up 24 points in a 66-24 setback to the 'Cuse (2-1).
The Orange's offense, on Friday night at the JMA Wireless Dome, looked strong, particularly in the passing game. In total, SU tallied 620 yards. The rushing attack was good, but not great. The defense, yes, it had two interceptions, but the Syracuse football D has to keep improving.
Next Saturday afternoon, the Orange will travel to No. 12 Clemson. I'm concerned that if the 'Cuse allows 24 points, 408 total yards and 4.92 yards per play against Colgate, that doesn't necessarily bode well for Syracuse football when it competes at Clemson. For context, though, a lot of reserve players on both sides of the field got extended minutes versus the Raiders.
My key observations from Syracuse football's week-three win over Colgate.
•Redshirt junior quarterback Steve "Peanut Butter" Angeli is the goods. He went 24-of-32 for 417 yards with five touchdowns, tying a program record, and no picks. That dude can sling it. Angeli also had a rushing score.
•I'm glad that back-up quarterback Rickie Collins, a redshirt sophomore, got into the game. It didn't start out well, as on his first offensive series, he threw an interception on a vastly underthrown ball. However, later on, he did throw a touchdown, which is good for his confidence.
•Redshirt senior Will Nixon, filling in for the injured starting running back Yasin Willis, carried the ball 12 times for 66 yards and one score on the ground. He also had a fumble. The Orange staff used a lot of reserve running backs. Sophomore Jaden Hart had six carries for 28 yards, while the shifty freshman Tylik Hill sported two rushes for 20 yards.
•Naturally, junior wide receiver Darrell Gill Jr. led the 'Cuse charge, with six catches for 152 yards and two touchdowns through the air. A lot of younger wide receivers, though, got in on the action. Local product Darien Williams, a freshman, hauled in three receptions for 72 yards and one score. Redshirt freshman Jaylan Hornsby dropped a few catchable balls, but he did boast four receptions for 56 yards and one touchdown. Freshman Gabe Daniels had two catches for 29 yards and one score.
•Oh, and speaking of true freshmen, how about two-player Demetres Samuel Jr.? He was so fabulous! The cornerback/wide receiver caught his first collegiate pass, for 10 yards. He returned one punt for four yards. On defense, Samuel collected five solo tackles, three pass breakups and one interception.
•Sophomore defensive back Braheem Long Jr. was great. He had four solo tackles, one sack and one pick. Two-way player Jamie Tremble, a sophomore tight end/linebacker, also recorded a sack. Redshirt senior defensive back Berry Buxton III tied Samuel for the Syracuse football lead with five total tackles.
•Looking ahead to the Clemson game, on the injury front, let's see if guys who were out on Friday will be available against the Tigers. They include sophomore running back/return man Malachi James, Willis, senior safety Devin Grant and redshirt freshman wide receiver Emanuel Ross, among others.
•With this victory, Syracuse football improves to 33-31-5 against Colgate, and the 'Cuse has prevailed 18 straight times in this series.