5 Things to Know: 'Cuse at Clemson
9/17/2025 12:01:00 PM | Football
The Syracuse football team hits the road for its ACC opener at Clemson on Saturday. Here's five things to know about the matchup:
1. Conference Openers
This is the second time in three seasons that 'Cuse has opened its ACC slate with Clemson. The Orange have won two of their last-three conference starters, having defeated Louisville in 2022 and Georgia Tech in 2024.
This is the first time since 2021 that Syracuse will open its ACC slate away from the JMA Wireless Dome. Â
2. Every 'Cuse Click Counts
Make sure you tune in to Saturday's game, which will be televised on ESPN at Noon.
There are more ways than ever that fans can have a direct financial impact on Syracuse Athletics, one of which is by making sure you watch every game you can't attend. Television ratings now have an impact on revenue distribution in the ACC. Make sure you're always watching the Orange, whether from the Dome or at home, because Every 'Cuse Click Counts.
3. Peanut Butter Angeli
Quarterback Steve Angeli leads the nation in passing yards (1,072) and passing yards per game (357.3). A familiar spot for Syracuse quarterbacks under the direction of offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon and quarterbacks coach Nunzio Campanile.
In the duo's first season working together, they mentored Kyle McCord to be the nation's leading passer in 2024. The signal caller finished top-10 in Heisman Trophy voting and re-wrote the Orange record book before being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Angeli has picked up where he left off through three games. In addition to leading the country in yards, he's fourth in total offense per game (344.7), fifth in completions per game (26.7), 14th in passing touchdowns (8) and 15th in points responsible for (56).
4. Back in the Dome Next Week
Syracuse returns to the Dome on Sept. 27 for a Noon kickoff against Duke. It'll be Orange Central/Homecoming weekend. Only limited tickets remain. Get yours before they sell out at Cuse.com/footballtickets.
5. Youth Movement
Plenty of new faces are making their presence felt for the Syracuse football team, many of whom came in as part of head coach Fran Brown's first two recruiting classes – which are the highest two ranked classes since the advent of national recruiting rankings.
In total, 30 true or redshirt freshmen have already seen the field for the Orange this season, including starters Antoine Deslauriers and Demetres Samuel Jr. Samuel had his first collegiate interception last week vs. Colgate, as did sophomore Braheem Long Jr. True freshmen Luke Carney, Gabe Daniels and Darien Williams all notched their first collegiate touchdown, as did redshirt-freshman Jaylan Hornsby.
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1. Conference Openers
This is the second time in three seasons that 'Cuse has opened its ACC slate with Clemson. The Orange have won two of their last-three conference starters, having defeated Louisville in 2022 and Georgia Tech in 2024.
This is the first time since 2021 that Syracuse will open its ACC slate away from the JMA Wireless Dome. Â
2. Every 'Cuse Click Counts
Make sure you tune in to Saturday's game, which will be televised on ESPN at Noon.
There are more ways than ever that fans can have a direct financial impact on Syracuse Athletics, one of which is by making sure you watch every game you can't attend. Television ratings now have an impact on revenue distribution in the ACC. Make sure you're always watching the Orange, whether from the Dome or at home, because Every 'Cuse Click Counts.
3. Peanut Butter Angeli
Quarterback Steve Angeli leads the nation in passing yards (1,072) and passing yards per game (357.3). A familiar spot for Syracuse quarterbacks under the direction of offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon and quarterbacks coach Nunzio Campanile.
In the duo's first season working together, they mentored Kyle McCord to be the nation's leading passer in 2024. The signal caller finished top-10 in Heisman Trophy voting and re-wrote the Orange record book before being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Angeli has picked up where he left off through three games. In addition to leading the country in yards, he's fourth in total offense per game (344.7), fifth in completions per game (26.7), 14th in passing touchdowns (8) and 15th in points responsible for (56).
4. Back in the Dome Next Week
Syracuse returns to the Dome on Sept. 27 for a Noon kickoff against Duke. It'll be Orange Central/Homecoming weekend. Only limited tickets remain. Get yours before they sell out at Cuse.com/footballtickets.
5. Youth Movement
Plenty of new faces are making their presence felt for the Syracuse football team, many of whom came in as part of head coach Fran Brown's first two recruiting classes – which are the highest two ranked classes since the advent of national recruiting rankings.
In total, 30 true or redshirt freshmen have already seen the field for the Orange this season, including starters Antoine Deslauriers and Demetres Samuel Jr. Samuel had his first collegiate interception last week vs. Colgate, as did sophomore Braheem Long Jr. True freshmen Luke Carney, Gabe Daniels and Darien Williams all notched their first collegiate touchdown, as did redshirt-freshman Jaylan Hornsby.
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