Syracuse football (3-5, 1-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) entered its toughest test of the season against No. 7 Georgia Tech (8-0, 5-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) in search of any momentum after losing three straight games for the first time since 2022. In Bobby Dodd Stadium, those hopes were dashed quickly as the Orange fell to the Yellow Jackets 41-16.
After a 41-16 loss to No. 7 @GeorgiaTechFB, @CuseFootball falls to 0-4 with quarterback Rickie Collins as the starter. Meanwhile, the Yellow Jackets advance to 8-0 for the first time since 1966.@SamuelReisTV and @BurgessLuke03 were on the historic call from Bobby Dodd Stadium. pic.twitter.com/Nd49cWwthh
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) October 25, 2025
Syracuse had a chance early to put the momentum on its side. SU defensive back Chris Peal forced a GT fumble two plays into the game, and the Orange offense surged to the one-yard line thanks to a 41-yard rush from running back Yasin Willis. However, that momentum dissipated quickly due to penalties committed by Orange wideout Johntay Cook and tight end Dan Villari, as well as a sack to quarterback Rickie Collins. Instead of a touchdown, SU settled for a field goal to make the game 3-0.
“I got to prepare them more for that in practice.” ‘Cuse head coach Fran Brown said after the game. “So then that way when we get back to the one again we can do it.”
Despite Syracuse leading in a game for the first team since its September 20th victory against Clemson, it wouldn’t last long. The Yellow Jackets scored 20 unanswered points in the second quarter off of two touchdown passes from quarterback Haynes King to tight end Josh Beetham. King finished the game with five total touchdowns while passing for 304 yards and rushing for nearly 100.
On the flip side, it was another underwhelming performance from Syracuse quarterback Rickie Collins. The redshirt sophomore completed 17-of-29 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown, which came on SU’s first drive of the second half. With just two plays, Collins hit Cook for a 41-yard reception before finding Darrell Gill Jr. for a 34-yard score.
“When we have good momentum we look pretty good.” Collins said on his lone touchdown pass. “How we came out in the second half, that’s who we can be the whole game.”
However, the turnover bug bit Collins again, with the SU QB fumbling the ball at the Georgia Tech 17-yard line late in the 3rd quarter. The LSU transfer has turned the ball over at least once in all four of his starts this season.
After today's loss, @CuseFootball is still winless with Rickie Collins as the starting quarterback.
— WAER Sports Talk (@WAERSportsTalk) October 25, 2025
Despite the lack of success, our play-by-play broadcaster @SamuelReisTV believes that head coach Fran Brown is going to keep Collins as the starter.
☎️ 315-443-2011
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Through its four-game losing streak, SU has been outscored 140-50. In order to make a bowl game, the Orange will have to win three of its last four games of the season. For Coach Brown, the message to his team is simple.
“We just gotta keep working, we gotta keep working one day at a time.” Coach Brown said. “I think it’ll all work itself out. They know not to quit, they know to follow me. I’m not a quitter.”
Syracuse’s next opportunity to work comes against North Carolina (2-5, 0-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) on Friday night. Gametime from the Dome is at 7:30, our coverage on WAER starts with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Kickoff at 7.