Syracuse football won its season opener by a mile. Here's what went right and what went wrong.

The score was completely lopsided, and Syracuse football snapped an eight-game losing streak dating back to last season. Yes, the Orange prevailed by a ton on Saturday afternoon on a beautiful day in Central New York.

Seeing Steve Angeli, the team's starting quarterback who suffered a season-ending injury in 2025 during the team's fourth game, back on the field directing the 'Cuse offense was wonderful, even if there was a scary moment when he briefly went down.

SU got terrific production on Saturday in the 2026 season opener from two promising running backs and a veteran wide receiver. The defense only allowed one field goal, and it came in the fourth quarter, as first-time foe New Hampshire was completely overwhelmed in a 66-3 triumph for Syracuse and its third-year head coach, Fran Brown.

Granted, the Orange (1-0 overall) entered Saturday's non-conference affair as a massive betting favorite against the FCS Wildcats out of the Coastal Athletic Association ("CAA"). But if I'm being honest, I didn't expect a 63-point win.

Still, not everything was rosy. The penalties. Yuck. Some misses in the kicking game. Ugh. However, after the downward spiral that consumed the 'Cuse last year, this was more than a serviceable start to the Orange's 2026 campaign.

Syracuse football dominated in its season opener.

By and large, the SU roster is relatively healthy, although a handful of players were inactive against New Hampshire. Naturally, all eyes were on Angeli, and when he was slow to get up at one point after being hit, 'Cuse Nation held its collective breath.

For the afternoon, Angeli went 20-of-29 for 263 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. The New Hampshire defense sacked him three times. After Angeli's day was done in the fourth quarter, transfers Amari Odom and Malachi Nelson each saw the field, with Odom throwing a short TD pass.

In his post-game interview with the ACC Network, Brown said in part, "Peanut butter Angeli's back." Heck yeah, Coach. He most certainly is.

Ten different Syracuse football receivers caught a pass, led by sixth-year WR Umari Hatcher, who I think is poised for a big-time 2026. He hauled in eight passes for 147 yards and two scores, while senior tight end David Clement also added a touchdown reception.

Transfer running backs Ju’Juan Johnson and Ahmad Miller didn't play on Saturday, but sophomore Tylik Hill and freshman Shavane Anderson Jr. had their respective coming-out parties on the ground. Hill had 15 carries for 90 yards and one touchdown. In his college debut, Anderson went full beast mode, rushing 10 times for 102 yards and three scores. Wow.

Granted, New Hampshire (0-2 overall) isn't a power conference team, or even an FBS squad. Yet Syracuse football racked up an impressive 238 rushing yards and 275 receiving yards. The Orange led the Wildcats 513-155 in total yards.

SU was efficient in going 8-of-12 on third-down attempts, while New Hampshire was 5-of-14. The 'Cuse led 3-0 in takeaways, with senior linebacker Zyian Moultrie-Goddard executing a 26-yard scoop-and-score.

Senior linebacker Keyshawn Johnson had 2.5 sacks, fifth-year defensive lineman Tunmise Adeleye led the Orange with six total tackles and senior defensive lineman Rashard Perry recorded an interception.

Brown, though, is going to rip into his team, no doubt, for the mental mistakes. Syracuse football collected an absurd 12 penalties for 125 combined yards. That can't happen against tougher opponents. Speaking of that, the Orange will host fellow Atlantic Coast Conference member California next Saturday at 3:30 pm EST.

SU kickers missed two extra points, which doesn't matter in a hugely lopsided victory, but that has to be cleaned up immediately. A shout-out to freshman punter Jimmy Gregg, who had two punts, and both of them landed inside New Hampshire's 20-yard line.

Sophomore Demetres Samuel Jr., a starting cornerback, is going to be electric in special teams. He had four punt returns for 83 yards and one kickoff return for 42 yards.

Football is so back. Let's go.

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