Syracuse football opens up 2026 with dominant 66-3 victory over New Hampshire

For the first time in over 340 days, Syracuse football (1-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) is in the win column. The Orange’s rough 2025, and their eight-game losing streak to end the season, were put in the rearview mirror. SU jumped on top of New Hampshire (0-2, 0-1 Coastal Athletic Association) from the start and never looked back in a 66-3 win.

The ‘Cuse’s offense was its main problem last season. After quarterback Steve Angeli suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, Syracuse didn’t reach the 20-point mark in a single game. But with the Notre Dame transfer back behind center after a full recovery, the Orange were clicking from the start. Angeli authored two touchdown drives in the first quarter alone, shaking off any early-season rust and proving wrong any skepticism about his recovery.

“I think that Steve [Angeli] will keep getting better,” SU head coach Fran Brown said. “I felt like he might have been 75 [percent], something like that. I don’t know the percentage. I got to watch the film, but it was pretty straight.”

Angeli picked up right where he left off in Death Valley a year ago, but the main story on SU’s offense was its newcomers stepping up in the first game of 2026. Both the wide receiver and running back rooms were decimated by graduations and the transfer portal, leaving Syracuse with a lot of questions heading into its opener against New Hampshire. The Orange still left questions on their recent depth chart just days before kickoff.

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But those questions were answered in a heartbeat, particularly in the running back room with true freshman Shavane Anderson Jr. and sophomore Tylik Hill combining for nearly 200 yards on the ground. Hill already made a name of his own through being with the Orange in 2025, but Anderson burst onto the scene with his second-effort carries.

“Shavane does a good job. I think all those running backs played well today. They all did a good job, they all continue to get better. I'm very happy for him, though, to be a freshman in your first college game I think he scored two or three times. What did he score? Three touchdowns. That's pretty legit,” Brown said. “He’s about to have fun tonight. Three touchdowns, he better wear his jersey. But that's pretty good for him. I'm happy for that kid though.”

Anderson finished the afternoon with a game-high 102 rushing yards and averaged just over 10 yards per carry in his first collegiate game. But SU’s next-man-up mentality also carried into the tight end room to fill the pass-catching production of Dan Villari from 2025.

The ‘Cuse added Noah Meyers from Western Kentucky for a proven receiver, but it was senior David Clement who stole the show. Clement's blocking abilities have been useful in the past, and he has now already eclipsed his 2025 receiving total with two catches for 35 yards and a score against the Wildcats.

“He [Clement] is a good kid. He's a good player, he's one of the leaders on our team. I'm happy for him that he got a chance to score, though,” Brown said. “He deserves it. He works, he blocks his butt off, risks his body every play and he got a chance to score.”

Syracuse’s retooled skill groups answered the call and dropped over 60 points on New Hampshire, but next week won’t be as easy when the Orange begin conference play. SU hosts California at 3:30 p.m., and WAER’s coverage begins at 3:00 p.m. with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Kickoff.