10/28/2026 11:32:00 AM | Football
Syracuse football hosts No. 19 SMU on Saturday in the JMA Wireless Dome at Noon, here's five things to know about the matchup:
1. Halloween Fun is in Store
In addition to the 'Cuse on the Quad and in-game enhancements fans have enjoyed this season, Syracuse Athletics has more in store for Saturday's Halloween showdown.
'Cuse on the Quad opens at 9 a.m. and will have a bevvy of entertainment options for fans of all ages. New additions for this week include: A children's costume parade immediately after the NYE Auto Quad Walk (9:40 a.m.). Kids will get to show their costume and be cheered on by Orange fans while walking the same route the team does each game. Puls, Trick-or-Treating on the Quad and more.
Inside the Dome, there will be "Suites-4-Treats" from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., special Halloween themed cocktail options in Miron Victory Court, plus a special concession deal of four hot dogs, four soft drinks and two popcorns for families that costs just $30.
Syracuse will also display a new helmet, featuring beloved mascot Otto. For more Halloween information, click here: Halloween Fun Planned for Saturday.
2. Ranked Opponents in the Loud House
Syracuse fans have made the Loud House live up to its name over the years, but especially when a ranked squad visits. Head Coach Fran Brown enters Saturday's game 2-0 vs. ranked teams in the building.
As a program, the Orange have won three of its last four home games against ranked opponents, dating back to the start of the 2022 season and are 6-5 against ranked teams in their last 11 games when a ranked team visits the Dome.
Be part of that home field advantage by securing your tickets today at Cuse.com/FootballTickets.
3. Cardiac 'Cuse
Nearly half (15) of Syracuse's games over the past three seasons (32) have been decided by one score, including five games that went to overtime. Five of Syracuse's seven games to start the season have been one-score decisions and two have needed overtime.
The Orange have performed well when the game comes down to the wire under head coach Fran Brown. Brown's teams have a 5-0 record in overtime in his tenure. Not only is that the most victories in overtime by any school in that span, Syracuse is also the only school with five overtime games played and one-of-four schools that has a perfect record with at least three overtime games played. Syracuse (5-0), Buffalo (4-0), Georgia (3-0) and Illinois (3-0) are the only four teams that are 3-0 or better in overtime since the start of the 2024 campaign.
Syracuse is 10-5 in one-score games under Coach Fran. The 10 one-score wins since the start of the 2024 season is tied for the seventh-most in the FBS and tied for fifth among power-four programs. Coach Fran's .667 winning percentage in one-score games ranks 12th in the power four.
4. Run the Dang Ball
Syracuse has found success in the ground game in recent weeks, tallying 199 yards at North Carolina, 174 yards at UConn and 163 yards against Virginia. Those are three of the four-highest single-game rushing totals in the Fran Brown era, having come in the last-four games. The only game before this stretch in which Syracuse rushed for more than 163 yards was a 2025 game against Boston College.
5. Slinging the Rock
Syracuse remains the only school in the country to have four different quarterbacks who've thrown a touchdown pass, has five different quarterbacks that have seen game action, and three different starters.
Through the injuries at the position, the Orange offense has still performed as one of the top units in the country. Syracuse's 286.1 yards per game through the air positions 'Cuse as the nation's No. 16 passing offense thus far. Three different quarterbacks – Steve Angeli, Amari Odom and Malachi Nelson – have gone for over 300 yards through the air in a game this season.
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1. Halloween Fun is in Store
In addition to the 'Cuse on the Quad and in-game enhancements fans have enjoyed this season, Syracuse Athletics has more in store for Saturday's Halloween showdown.
'Cuse on the Quad opens at 9 a.m. and will have a bevvy of entertainment options for fans of all ages. New additions for this week include: A children's costume parade immediately after the NYE Auto Quad Walk (9:40 a.m.). Kids will get to show their costume and be cheered on by Orange fans while walking the same route the team does each game. Puls, Trick-or-Treating on the Quad and more.
Inside the Dome, there will be "Suites-4-Treats" from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., special Halloween themed cocktail options in Miron Victory Court, plus a special concession deal of four hot dogs, four soft drinks and two popcorns for families that costs just $30.
Syracuse will also display a new helmet, featuring beloved mascot Otto. For more Halloween information, click here: Halloween Fun Planned for Saturday.
2. Ranked Opponents in the Loud House
Syracuse fans have made the Loud House live up to its name over the years, but especially when a ranked squad visits. Head Coach Fran Brown enters Saturday's game 2-0 vs. ranked teams in the building.
As a program, the Orange have won three of its last four home games against ranked opponents, dating back to the start of the 2022 season and are 6-5 against ranked teams in their last 11 games when a ranked team visits the Dome.
Be part of that home field advantage by securing your tickets today at Cuse.com/FootballTickets.
3. Cardiac 'Cuse
Nearly half (15) of Syracuse's games over the past three seasons (32) have been decided by one score, including five games that went to overtime. Five of Syracuse's seven games to start the season have been one-score decisions and two have needed overtime.
The Orange have performed well when the game comes down to the wire under head coach Fran Brown. Brown's teams have a 5-0 record in overtime in his tenure. Not only is that the most victories in overtime by any school in that span, Syracuse is also the only school with five overtime games played and one-of-four schools that has a perfect record with at least three overtime games played. Syracuse (5-0), Buffalo (4-0), Georgia (3-0) and Illinois (3-0) are the only four teams that are 3-0 or better in overtime since the start of the 2024 campaign.
Syracuse is 10-5 in one-score games under Coach Fran. The 10 one-score wins since the start of the 2024 season is tied for the seventh-most in the FBS and tied for fifth among power-four programs. Coach Fran's .667 winning percentage in one-score games ranks 12th in the power four.
4. Run the Dang Ball
Syracuse has found success in the ground game in recent weeks, tallying 199 yards at North Carolina, 174 yards at UConn and 163 yards against Virginia. Those are three of the four-highest single-game rushing totals in the Fran Brown era, having come in the last-four games. The only game before this stretch in which Syracuse rushed for more than 163 yards was a 2025 game against Boston College.
5. Slinging the Rock
Syracuse remains the only school in the country to have four different quarterbacks who've thrown a touchdown pass, has five different quarterbacks that have seen game action, and three different starters.
Through the injuries at the position, the Orange offense has still performed as one of the top units in the country. Syracuse's 286.1 yards per game through the air positions 'Cuse as the nation's No. 16 passing offense thus far. Three different quarterbacks – Steve Angeli, Amari Odom and Malachi Nelson – have gone for over 300 yards through the air in a game this season.
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Players Mentioned
Monday, October 26
Monday, October 26
Monday, October 26
Sunday, October 25
