Steve Angeli makes his return with Syracuse football against North Carolina

It’s been an uphill battle for Syracuse football (2-4, 0-4 Atlantic Coast Conference), especially at quarterback. The Orange have played four signal-callers this season and have just two wins to show for it. But against North Carolina (4-2, 2-1 ACC) on Saturday, Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli will take the field for the first time in more than a month.

Last Saturday against Louisville, Angeli was listed as questionable, still reeling from his Achilles injury in October 2025. The last time he saw the field was Sept. 17 in a 27-13 loss to Pittsburgh. Against the Panthers, Angeli completed 13 of 25 passes for 161 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions, both in the second half. After the second interception, he was benched and was ruled injured after the game.

Even before that outing, the signal-caller had struggled. Over his last two games, the fifth-year quarterback threw five interceptions and just one touchdown. Angeli was given the green light to start against North Carolina on Thursday. Earlier that day, Syracuse head coach Fran Brown said he was hopeful his starter would return.

“I would love for Steve to be able to play. It would mean a lot to be able to get Steve to come out, play, and compete the way that we know Steve could play,” Brown said.

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Stakes are high for Angeli. The Orange are one loss away from tying their longest ACC losing streak (12 games). They will have their hands full with North Carolina’s defense.

The Tar Heels’ front seven is led by former Syracuse linebacker Derek McDonald. The captain of UNC’s defense leads the ACC with 56 tackles this year. North Carolina’s smothering play is only intensified by linebacker Peyton Seelmann. The junior ranks just behind McDonald with 53 tackles, the third most in the ACC. That powder-blue agility could be a handful for Syracuse, which has the heaviest offensive line in college football.

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The Orange will have to sustain their effort against that defense for a full four quarters, something SU has struggled with all season.

Syracuse has fared just fine in the first half against FBS opponents, averaging 18 points. But in the second half, the Orange score fewer than eight points. In fact, half of SU’s third and fourth quarters have ended with zero points.

“We just have to tighten some things up in the second half from an offensive perspective,” Brown said. “I think we get penalties sometimes at the wrong times. Just scoring in the red zone and then not giving up fourth quarter points.”

Penalties have been a significant contributor to SU’s struggles. The Orange have been flagged 61 times this season, the sixth most in the nation, costing them more than 550 yards. On the other hand, North Carolina has proved to be one of the most disciplined teams in the country. The Tar Heels have committed 25 penalties, the sixth fewest in the nation.

Syracuse and North Carolina clash Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Kenan Stadium, SU’s third consecutive prime-time game. WAER’s pregame coverage begins with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Kickoff at 7 p.m. on 88.3 FM.