Steve Angeli delivered a decisive performance in his return to the gridiron, throwing for three touchdowns to power Syracuse to a dominant 66-3 victory over New Hampshire in the season opener on Saturday. Playing his first competitive game action nearly a year after a season-ending injury, the quarterback shrugged off early offensive sluggishness and a brief second-quarter scare to orchestrate six consecutive scoring drives.
For Syracuse, the dominant home win answers the primary question hanging over the program coming into the autumn schedule. After losing Angeli to a torn Achilles during the fourth game of the previous campaign, supporters watched anxiously to see how the signal-caller would hold up against live contact. He answered emphatically, completing 20 of 29 pass attempts for 263 yards while absorbing several heavy hits without missing a beat.
The lopsided final score reflects a complete mismatch in the trenches and across the roster, with the Orange amassing nearly 500 yards of total offense compared to just 150 yards for New Hampshire. While the offense eventually found a relentless rhythm, the home side actually opened the contest in somewhat choppy fashion, punting away their initial series before clicking into high gear.
Angeli’s Sharp Return and Offensive Explosiveness
Angeli’s efficient afternoon featured scoring strikes of 19 and 18 yards to Umari Hatcher, alongside a 27-yard touchdown connection to David Clement. Hatcher proved to be the primary target in a sprawling passing attack that saw 10 different Syracuse players catch passes, pacing the squad with eight receptions for 147 yards.
A momentary wave of anxiety swept through the crowd midway through the second quarter when Angeli appeared to injure his right knee following a collision. However, the quarterback jogged off the field under his own power, missed only a single play, and returned to action seamlessly. By halftime, the Orange had already built a commanding 41-0 advantage.
The ground game provided equally dominant production. Freshman running back Shavane Anderson rushed for 102 yards in his Syracuse debut, punching in three touchdowns on the ground. Fellow running back Tylik Hill added another 90 yards rushing, which included a 2-yard scoring run.
Defensive Lockdown and Wildcats’ Struggles
On the other side of the ball, the Syracuse defense completely neutralized the Wildcats. New Hampshire managed just 51 yards on the ground and 99 yards through the air. Visiting quarterback Brooks Bentley played exclusively in the first half, finishing 11 of 18 passing for 75 yards and one interception. Running back Myles Thomason provided a brief outlet out of the backfield, hauling in seven receptions for 53 yards, but the visitors were ultimately overmatched on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
The visitors initially showed signs of life by forcing a punt on Syracuse’s opening drive, but the afternoon quickly spiraled downward for the Wildcats as the Orange depth took over. New Hampshire’s record fell to 0-2 with the result.
As both programs look ahead to their next fixtures, New Hampshire prepares to return home to host Stonehill on Sept. 12. Meanwhile, Syracuse faces a much steeper test as they welcome Cal on Sept. 12 for their Atlantic Coast Conference season opener.
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