5 Things to Know: 'Cuse vs. Louisville
10/14/2026 11:59:00 AM | Football
The Syracuse football team makes their long-awaited return to the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., hosting Louisville. Here's five things to know about the matchup.
1. DOME SWEET DOME:
Syracuse finally returns home after 35 days on the road – three road games and a bye – since their last home game on Sept. 12.
Don't miss the excitement of a home football Saturday, as tickets are still available at Cuse.com/FootballTickets.
Syracuse's 35-day stretch between home games is among the longest in the nation, trailing only Stanford (36) among power four teams.
Saturday's game is also Family Weekend, with the prime-time kickoff serving as the centerpiece of an event-filled weekend.
2. DON'T MISS 'CUSE ON THE QUAD:
'Cuse on the Quad opens at 4:30 p.m., three hours prior to kickoff and the NYE Auto Quad Walk will be at 5:10 p.m.
This week's pregame festivities include: live music from The Dylan Michael Band, large format video boards to watch the afternoon slate of games before heading into the Dome, autographs from the cheer and dance teams, the Toyota Fun Zone and Beak & Skiff Adventure Park with fun for fans of all ages.
Evan Williams will be offering samples for fans ages 21+, plus a giveaway item. Dr. Pepper will also be on hand offering free soda and a giveaway item, plus food trucks and beverages will be available on the quad for purchase.
Syracuse Athletics will also be handing out rally towels around the quad and at the marketing table – presented by CNY Chevy.
Plus 'Cuse on the Quad staples such as the live pregame show, performances by the Pride of the Orange, Syracuse's marching band, merchandise tents and more!
3. AGAINST THE CARDINALS
Syracuse and Louisville have a football history that spans two conferences. This is the 22nd meeting between the two programs, and Louisville holds a 13-8 series lead.
The two teams played nearly annually from 2005-22, first in the BIG EAST, then as members of the ACC Atlantic Division. The lone exception came in 2013, when the Orange joined the ACC one year prior to the Cardinals.
This is the first meeting between the two programs since 2022, after the ACC moved away from its divisional format beginning in the 2023 season.
The Orange have a 6-5 advantage in the series at the Dome, including winning both of the two-most recent games played in the Loud House (2022 and 2018) and three of the last-five. The two teams also have one unique neutral site contest in their history, playing in Tokyo, Japan in 1989 – a 24-13 Orange win.
4. HATCHER FINDING SUCCESS
Umari Hatcher has continued to perform as one of the top receivers in the country through the first-five games. His 112.0 receiving yards per game ranks eighth in the country, and his six receiving touchdowns ties for seventh in the nation.
Hatcher set career highs in receptions (12), receiving yards (152) and yards (3) against UConn and was named ACC Offensive Receiver of the Week for that effort. He followed it up with another 126 yards and a touchdown at Virginia. He's the first Syracuse player to post back-to-back 100-yard games since Oronde Gadsden II and Jackson Meeks did so in 2024.
5. UNDER CENTER
As injuries in the quarterback room have mounted, the position still remains an area of strength for the Orange, as head coach Fran Brown prioritized adding depth to the unit in the offseason.
Four different quarterbacks have thrown a touchdown pass this season, and three different players have earned the start at quarterback. The Orange at the only team in the country to have started three different quarterbacks this season.
Saturday's starter is still unknown as Steve Angeli, Amari Odom and Malachi Nelson – the previous three weeks' starters will all continue treatment this week. Danny Lauter came in in relief at the end of the Virginia game and threw a 46-yard touchdown pass. Syracuse's QB room also features talented freshman Zaid Lott and sophomore returners Rich Belin and Joe Filardi.
Odom (20), Lauter (14), Angeli (8) and Nelson (7) all have starting experience. Angeli and Nelson's have all come at the FBS level, Odom's is split with 11 FBS starts and nine at the FCS level, and Lauter's 14 career starts all came at Georgetown.
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1. DOME SWEET DOME:
Syracuse finally returns home after 35 days on the road – three road games and a bye – since their last home game on Sept. 12.
Don't miss the excitement of a home football Saturday, as tickets are still available at Cuse.com/FootballTickets.
Syracuse's 35-day stretch between home games is among the longest in the nation, trailing only Stanford (36) among power four teams.
Saturday's game is also Family Weekend, with the prime-time kickoff serving as the centerpiece of an event-filled weekend.
2. DON'T MISS 'CUSE ON THE QUAD:
'Cuse on the Quad opens at 4:30 p.m., three hours prior to kickoff and the NYE Auto Quad Walk will be at 5:10 p.m.
This week's pregame festivities include: live music from The Dylan Michael Band, large format video boards to watch the afternoon slate of games before heading into the Dome, autographs from the cheer and dance teams, the Toyota Fun Zone and Beak & Skiff Adventure Park with fun for fans of all ages.
Evan Williams will be offering samples for fans ages 21+, plus a giveaway item. Dr. Pepper will also be on hand offering free soda and a giveaway item, plus food trucks and beverages will be available on the quad for purchase.
Syracuse Athletics will also be handing out rally towels around the quad and at the marketing table – presented by CNY Chevy.
Plus 'Cuse on the Quad staples such as the live pregame show, performances by the Pride of the Orange, Syracuse's marching band, merchandise tents and more!
3. AGAINST THE CARDINALS
Syracuse and Louisville have a football history that spans two conferences. This is the 22nd meeting between the two programs, and Louisville holds a 13-8 series lead.
The two teams played nearly annually from 2005-22, first in the BIG EAST, then as members of the ACC Atlantic Division. The lone exception came in 2013, when the Orange joined the ACC one year prior to the Cardinals.
This is the first meeting between the two programs since 2022, after the ACC moved away from its divisional format beginning in the 2023 season.
The Orange have a 6-5 advantage in the series at the Dome, including winning both of the two-most recent games played in the Loud House (2022 and 2018) and three of the last-five. The two teams also have one unique neutral site contest in their history, playing in Tokyo, Japan in 1989 – a 24-13 Orange win.
4. HATCHER FINDING SUCCESS
Umari Hatcher has continued to perform as one of the top receivers in the country through the first-five games. His 112.0 receiving yards per game ranks eighth in the country, and his six receiving touchdowns ties for seventh in the nation.
Hatcher set career highs in receptions (12), receiving yards (152) and yards (3) against UConn and was named ACC Offensive Receiver of the Week for that effort. He followed it up with another 126 yards and a touchdown at Virginia. He's the first Syracuse player to post back-to-back 100-yard games since Oronde Gadsden II and Jackson Meeks did so in 2024.
5. UNDER CENTER
As injuries in the quarterback room have mounted, the position still remains an area of strength for the Orange, as head coach Fran Brown prioritized adding depth to the unit in the offseason.
Four different quarterbacks have thrown a touchdown pass this season, and three different players have earned the start at quarterback. The Orange at the only team in the country to have started three different quarterbacks this season.
Saturday's starter is still unknown as Steve Angeli, Amari Odom and Malachi Nelson – the previous three weeks' starters will all continue treatment this week. Danny Lauter came in in relief at the end of the Virginia game and threw a 46-yard touchdown pass. Syracuse's QB room also features talented freshman Zaid Lott and sophomore returners Rich Belin and Joe Filardi.
Odom (20), Lauter (14), Angeli (8) and Nelson (7) all have starting experience. Angeli and Nelson's have all come at the FBS level, Odom's is split with 11 FBS starts and nine at the FCS level, and Lauter's 14 career starts all came at Georgetown.
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/ FootballMonday, October 12
Monday, October 12
Saturday, October 10
Saturday, October 10
