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Syracuse hosts Holy Cross in the JMA Wireless Dome following its first loss under Fran Brown. The Orange started the year 2-0, taking care of business versus Ohio before upsetting then-No. 23 Georgia Tech, generating buzz of a potential move into the AP Top 25 with a win over Stanford.

Despite being a near double-digit point favorite, SU only led for just over three minutes versus the Cardinal in its first game since its Week 3 bye. Stanford led 13-10 at halftime, and its lead grew to 20-10 after Kyle McCord threw a third-quarter pick-six. From there, however, Syracuse outscored the Cardinal 14-3, taking a 24-23 lead with just over three minutes on a Jackson Meeks touchdown reception.

While the Orange finally took their first lead of the game, Stanford stormed right back. After a crucial fourth-and-9 first-down conversion to Elic Ayomanor, Stanford kicker Emmet Kenney nailed a game-winning field goal as time expired.

Ahead of Syracuse’s (2-1, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) next matchup against Holy Cross (1-3, 0-0 Patriot League), here’s what to know as the Orange look to bounce back:

All-time series

Syracuse leads 24-5.

Last time they played …

The Tommy DeVito-led Orange hosted the Crusaders on Sept. 28, 2019. SU was 2-2 heading into the matchup, but it became quickly apparent its record would reach above .500. Syracuse forced Holy Cross to go three-and-out on the first possession of the game before DeVito led it on a 63-yard touchdown drive that took less than two minutes.

SU never trailed, cruising to a 41-3 win. DeVito finished the game 19-for-31 passing, notching 269 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Taj Harris registered the most yards from scrimmage, turning six catches into 107 yards and a touchdown.

Ilana Zahavy | Design Editor

The Crusaders report

Like Syracuse, Holy Cross is also in its first year under a new head coach, as it hired former Merrimack head coach Dan Curran last December. The Crusaders were previously helmed by Bob Chesney, who guided them to five straight Patriot League championships from 2019 to 2023 before being hired as James Madison’s head coach.

The Crusaders’ roster looks much different than it did a season ago with Chesney’s departure, especially under center. Their quarterback last year, Matthew Sluka, transferred to UNLV after passing for 1,723 yards and rushing for another 1,243. The Orange were slated to face Sluka next week, but he announced Tuesday night he would be using a redshirt to enter the transfer portal after a dispute with UNLV surrounding Name, Image and Likeness compensation.

Joe Pesansky, who backed up Sluka from 2021-23, is now Holy Cross’ starting quarterback. Thus far, he’s thrown for 875 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. However, Curran, Pesansky and Co. lost their most valuable offensive player a couple of weeks ago when running back Jordan Fuller sustained a season-ending injury. Fuller ran for over 1,000 yards and 18 touchdowns last year.

How Syracuse beats Holy Cross

Unlike it did against Stanford, SU must set the tone early to begin its season 3-1. Against the Cardinal, the Orange came out flat, not finding the end zone until Umari Hatcher hauled in a 67-yard receiving touchdown just before halftime.

During Tuesday’s media availability, McCord said he hasn’t slept well as a result of last week’s loss. Unlike the last time he lost a game, last November versus Michigan as Ohio State’s quarterback, he only has to wait a week to avenge his loss rather than eight months. If Syracuse’s offense comes out of the gate playing like it did in its first two games, SU should easily defeat the Crusaders.

Stat to know: 54.8%

Unlike Syracuse, which has only run the ball on 33% of its offensive plays, Holy Cross has run the ball on 54.8% of its snaps. As Brown put it in his press conference Monday, Fuller had been having a “heck of a year,” but backup running back Jayden Clerveaux has done a solid job stepping into the starting role.

Against Bryant on Sept. 14, the sophomore halfback rushed for a career-high 104 yards after Fuller sustained his injury. Last week, in his first game as Holy Cross’ starter, Clerveaux scored three touchdowns. Syracuse’s defense has struggled in the run game this year, as its 180 yards allowed per game ranks 94th among Football Bowl Subdivision teams.

Player to watch: Jacob Petersen, tight end, No. 86

In SU’s first three games, it’s allowed opposing tight ends to combine for seven catches, 43 yards and no touchdowns. Ohio, Georgia Tech and Stanford’s offenses don’t run through their tight ends, but Holy Cross’ has thus far.

Despite only notching 11 catches over his first two seasons playing for the Crusaders, Jacob Petersen leads them with 14 catches, 231 yards and a touchdown reception this season. Petersen is a 6-foot-4, 250-pound senior, presenting a challenge the Orange’s defense hasn’t encountered in their first three games.

Published on September 26, 2024 at 12:23 am

Contact Justin: justingirshon@gmail.com | @JustinGirshon