Friday night lights: Syracuse took on an upstate rival in Colgate for their non-conference finale. Syracuse and their Power 4 talent rolled through the FCS Raiders, smothering in the first half which gave opportunities for depth players to see reps.
- Darrell Gill Jr will be an All-ACC player
Gill’s performance in 2024 was overshadowed by the likes of Kyle McCord, Oronde Gadsden II, and other now-NFL talents. Now, as a junior and veteran in the wide receiver room, Gill has established himself as the top option. Gill was crucial in the second half of last week’s matchup against UConn, getting SU multiple chunk plays in addition to a toe-tapping two point conversation. Against the Raiders, Gill feasted with 152 yards and two touchdowns. He is a deep threat who compliments Johntay Cook and Justus Ross-Simmons. It was never a “Skill” question for Gill; he has a chance to establish himself as a top player in the ACC through their upcoming nine conference games.
- Syracuse made a self-inflicted error, then adjusted
Fans have been upset at Syracuse getting in their own way during the first two games of the season. After Will Nixon’s first quarter fumble and Colgate’s short-field field goal that followed, it looked as if the offense was going down the same road for the third consecutive week. However, Syracuse followed their mistake by ending the next five drives in points: two touchdowns, then a field goal, then another pair of touchdowns. They converted on the highlight plays, but also got names such as Dan Villari and Cook 10-20 yard chunk plays to build that offensive consistency.
- Syracuse needs Yasin Willis back and fully healthy
Although Will Nixon didn’t have a bad game by any means, the injury to Malachi James means the Orange are thin at the running back position. Nixon was put into certain situations as a powerback when it simply isn’t his game. To beat Clemson, Syracuse will need their RB duo fully healthy; you can’t force a receiving back to become a bellcow and vise-vera.
- The defense’s main test comes next week
After getting 40-bombed by Joey Aguilar and Tennessee, Syracuse’s defense has been strong in their homestand. Since the 2nd half of the UConn game, they have only allowed 30 points. Clemson features a potential #1 overall NFL draft pick in quarterback Cade Klubnik in addition to star wide receivers in Antonio Williams and Bryant Wesco Jr. True freshman running back Gideon David is the cherry on top to a juggernaut offense. Have freshmen Antoine Deslauries and Demetres Samuel Jr developed enough? Will the defensive line generate pressure to rattle Klubnik? Those questions will be answered next Saturday in Death Valley.
- Rickie Collins Jr made his Syracuse debut
Collins made his on-field debut for the Orange with 4:36 remaining in the third. After being pressured on the fifth play of the drive, Collins rolled out left and threw an interception right into the hands of Colgate’s secondary. Then, he sat for a Steve Angeli touchdown drive. On his second drive, he led a 71-yard touchdown drive that included work with his feet and throws. It becomes another interesting chapter in the post-McCord quarterback situation for Syracuse: the reliable veteran in Angeli, and the flashy youngster in Collins.
Syracuse heads to Clemson, taking on a top ranked Tigers team with championship aspirations. Clemson has issues of their own to work out ahead of time; their game tomorrow against Georgia Tech cannot be underestimated after struggling against Troy the prior week. The Clemson game, drawn up as a loss by Syracuse fans and analysts alike, is the beginning of their ACC gauntlet schedule that will determine whether or not the 2025 team will go bowling.
