Syracuse’s slow start hurts in 45-26 loss to Tennessee in season opener

ATLANTA, G.A. (WSYR) — Head Coach Fran Brown knew that the Vols were going to come out fast in the season opener, but Syracuse still took a full quarter to adjust and could not come back, dropping the first game of the season 45-26.

The first half was full of Syracuse mistakes that Tennessee capitalized on. From defensive offside calls to starting quarterback, Steve Angeli, getting sacked four times, the Vols were able to jump out to a 31-14 lead at the break. Syracuse able to put up two touchdowns in the second quarter, a short 2-yd rushing touchdown from Yasin Willis followed by Angeli connecting with Johntay Cook for the 3-yd touchdown.

The second half started with more miscues as Angeli was picked off by Jeremiah Telander. The Vols turned that into a six-play, two and a half minute touchdown drive to go up 38-14. The Orange bounced back with Willis’ second touchdown of the game, but the two-point conversion was broken up to keep SU back two scores. Syracuse took off five minutes of the clock in the fourth quarter, ending in another Yasin Willis touchdown and another failed two-point conversion, Vols up 38-26. Tennessee closed the door in the fourth quarter when Joey Aguilar hit Miles Kitselman for the three-yard touchdown.

Steve Angeli finished 23-of-40 for 274 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also was sacked five times. Yasin Willis led the offense with 23 carries for 91 yards and three touchdowns. The Orange returns to the Dome next weekend to take on UConn on Saturday, September 6th at noon.

We will have more postgame coverage from Atlanta on WSYR+ and our local sports page.

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