Festivities and fresh faces highlight Syracuse football’s spring game
Festivities and fresh faces highlight SU football’s spring game
A game of orange and blue, new faces and lots of thrill for SU football fans.
Fans got their first look at Syracuse football in 2026 at the spring game between the orange and blue teams. The orange team won 9-7 on a last-second field goal by kicker Tripp Woody, which Syracuse head coach Fran Brown says fans can expect a lot more of.
“I told [Woody], ‘you can get used to that,” Brown said. “We got a lot of [last minute field goals] to do this year. It’s the ACC, it usually comes down to the two-minute drill.”
Woody played for a perfect 3-3, including the 50-yard game winner. The drive that set up the field goal attempt for the orange team was led by Kennesaw State transfer quarterback Amari Odom. The redshirt junior was one of five quarterbacks to lead a drive in the Spring Game along with UTEP transfer Malachi Nelson, Georgetown transfer Danny Lauter, freshman Zaid Lott and sophomore Rich Belin. Last year’s starter, Steve Angeli, remained sidelined as he still recovers from a season-ending injury suffered in September.
Many contributors from last year, such as sophomores Demetres Samuel and Antoine Deslauriers, sat out. That allowed other names, whether they’re transfers or freshmen, to make a name for themselves.
Toledo transfer and former All-MAC linebacker Chris D’Appolonia picked off a pass to open the game and nearly had another on the final drive. Florida State transfer Elijah Moore hauled in a 65-yard reception to open the second half. Redshirt freshman running back Malachi Coleman scored the game’s lone touchdown and got a lot of reps in the backfield.
“They’re competitive,” Brown said. “They’ll be talking trash all practice and hug it out once it’s done.”
It wasn’t just the new guys impressing. While the team did not keep, wide receiver Umari Hatcher easily hauled in more catches than any other player and was named the Spring Offensive MVP.
The redshirt senior initially entered the transfer portal, but was Brown convinced him to stick around.
“He’s going to be a big leader,” Brown said. “He’s going to hold people accountable and he’s got a relentless approach to make sure he makes it to the league.”
The spring game delivered more than just football on the field.
The festivities and unique ideas Brown installed made a potentially dull game exciting. It started the day prior, when Brown held a draft for coaches to pick players they would use in the game.
“I wanted to get my guys to envision what’s going to happen to them in a few years,” Brown said, in reference to the NFL Draft. “It was electric in there yesterday. You would see guys screaming and running out when they got picked.”
Prior to kickoff, Brown got on the microphone to announce the game’s format – a two-minute drill to end the first half and a full second half. The third-year head coach would hop on the microphone occasionally to fire fans up and announce new ideas, like rapper DMX’s song “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem,” being played on third downs when the team is on defense.
Music fueled the atmosphere. Between the third and fourth quarters, Brown was on the microphone, calling for fans to get hype, as both teams met at midfield to mosh to “Faneto” by Chief Keef.
On the field, the head coach was barking instructions just a few yards away from the quarterback, almost as if it was practice. There were also some things that you normally wouldn’t see. Offensive lineman, like six-foot-seven-inch, 400-pound tackle Byron Washington, returned punts.
“It’s the spring game,” Brown said. “Let’s just have fun.”
Fun seemed to be the theme of the spring game. NBA Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony was in attendance. Angeli threw a touchdown to a fan. Students enjoyed a party in the Miron Victory Court with the team.
is a digital producer for The NewsHouse.
is a photographer for The NewsHouse.