Football Home Opener Awaits

Syracuse fans: get ready to rock the JMA Wireless Dome when your Orange return home to host UConn on Saturday. Opening kick is set for Noon.

Tickets for the game and all home contests this season are on sale now at Cuse.com/FootballTickets. Saturday's game is Military Appreciation/Staff Appreciation Day in the JMA Dome. In addition, 'Cuse is hosting Youth Sports/Cheer and Dance Day on Saturday.

The Huskies (1-0) enter Saturday's contest after defeating Central Connecticut State 59-13 last time out. Both teams enter the game 10-4 in their last-14 games, providing another tough test for 'Cuse (0-1). The last time the Orange played in the JMA Dome, they produced the largest comeback in program history in a 42-38 victory against No. 8 Miami. Syracuse went on to defeat Washington State in the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl to complete a 10-3 season.

Four players from the squad were picked in last spring's NFL Draft and eight others signed free agent deals. Now, the returners are ready to stop into bigger roles after the departure of so many key contributors a year ago. Safety Duce Chestnut is one of those players. He moved to safety last season after returning to 'Cuse after playing one season at LSU, following starting the 2021-22 seasons at corner for the Orange. Chestnut responded to the transition by recording a career-high 62 tackles a season ago. He picked up where he left off in the season opener with a career-high 10 tackles.

"I think Duce is the most organized and probably most well-prepared player on the defensive side of the ball," head coach Fran Brown said. "He's literally done a 180, from just his preparation to trying to be good and trying to do the right thing. And leading. And he's taking on all of those roles. And he appreciates those roles."

Another player ready to step up is running back Yasin Willis, who is prepared to carry a bigger load of the ground game after LeQuint Allen Jr. was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Willis showed a glimpse of what Orange fans can expect from him this season in the opener against Tennessee when he rushed for a career-high 91 yards and three touchdowns. The three rushing touchdowns tie for national lead for highest total in a game with one contest remaining on the FBS slate tonight.

Some new faces also played a large part in Syracuse's 2025 opener. Steve Angeli earned the starting assignment after winning a quarterback battle in preseason camp. Angeli threw for a career-high 274 yards and a touchdown against the Volunteers. Wide receiver Johntay Cook also posted career-best totals with six catches for 58 yards and touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Gary Bryant III and defensive back Chris Peal recorded six tackles apiece, and defensive lineman David Reese had five tackles and a fumble recovery.

The Orange look to rebound from their first loss in a season opener since 2020. Bouncing back has been a signature for the teams Brown has coached as Syracuse is 3-0 in games following a loss in his tenure. In his coaching career, including time as an assistant, Brown has avoided back-to-back losses any point since the 2021 season at Rutgers.

"We're just ready to go out and have some fun this weekend. I'm still going to make sure the players have fun though," Brown said after stating the things his team needs to improve upon after the Tennessee loss. "It's important that they still have fun and understand that there's just no moral victories in it. We're 0-1 and that's not a good deal. We want to get on the winning side of the column so we can continue to try to go face the things we need to face."

Don't miss out on the action, secure your tickets now at Cuse.com/FootballTickets.

Syracuse University Athletics

Players Mentioned

LeQuint Allen

Duce Chestnut

Yasin Willis

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