Syracuse football falls to California 21-18 to open 2026 ACC play

Syracuse football (1-1, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) fell back to earth in its ACC opener against California (1-1, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) 21-18. The Orange built a 12-0 lead in the first half but a messy second cost SU the game.

The 'Cuse outgained the Golden Bears almost 200 yards, but struggled to play clean. Syracuse earned 15 penalties for over 130 yards, its most in a game since a 2021 win over UAlbany. Syracuse head coach Fran Brown said this loss feels self-made, especially after a strong defensive day.

"For the most part you'll win that game. So, I'm excited about where we're going to continue to go on the defensive side… We gotta stop shooting ourselves in the foot," Brown said.

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The Orange defense was steady throughout the game, only allowing 14 points, but the offense crumbled toward the end of the game. Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli threw three second-half interceptions, all to California defensive back Kingston Lopa. Among those mistakes was the eventual game-winning touchdown off a pick-six.

Even with Angeli's second-half errors, SU still left a possible game-winning touchdown on the field. The Orange had a punt-return touchdown in the third quarter called back. So instead of Syracuse pulling away up two scores going into the final quarter, the Orange let Cal hang in a close game. That was the second 50-plus-yard punt return of the contest erased by penalties. These costly mistakes come after SU managed a dominant win over New Hampshire last week despite committing 12 penalties for over 120 yards.

Defensive back and punt returner Demetres Samuel is confident these mistakes are just early-season growing pains. "A lot of the guys on the field are still young freshmen, so they got to understand when they can block or when I'm changing direction and when to let go," Samuel said. "So, once they learn and get these couple games under their belt, I feel like they'll understand."

Despite the interceptions and the penalties, Syracuse was still in a position to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. Orange kicker Tripp Woody missed two field goals in the second half, including a 31-yarder and the potential game-tying kick with under five minutes left in the game.

Two plays don't lose a 60-minute football game. Brown maintains this loss is not on Woody. "We shouldn't have even been in that situation, for it to come down to those guys having to go out there and compete and make those field goals," Brown said.

The Orange did not rise to the moment in an early test in 2026, and now, on short rest, go on the road for the first time this season. Syracuse takes on Pittsburgh this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. WAER's coverage begins at 7 p.m. with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Kickoff.