Story by
What's Next For Syracuse Football At Quarterback?
- Story by
- What's Next For Syracuse Football At Quarterback?
(Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
The Syracuse football team lost another ACC game, this time to the Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday night 28-25. The defeat is now the program's 10th consecutive loss in conference play dating back to last season. The Orange led by as many as 10 in this game (17-7), but the lead was not enough to hold off the Cavaliers comeback.
The quarterback position has been in flux for more than a year for the Orange, and that continued in this game.
Advertisement
Let's go back a bit:
1) Steve Angeli was the starter for the Orange in 2025 and led the Orange to a 3-1 record before getting hurt with a torn Achilles.
2) The Orange went 0-8 after he got hurt to finish 3-9.
3) Angeli started this season, going 1-2 and then was benched for Amari Odom, who led the group to a win against the UConn Huskies last week.
4) Odom and Angeli were both hurt this week, which led to Malachi Nelson getting the start in this game. Syracuse is the first FBS team this season to start three different quarterbacks.
What happened to the quarterback position during the loss to Virginia?
Before action kicked off, we learned that Angeli had a procedure done to his leg, which is what made him unavailable. As reporter Chris Carlson noted on X:
Advertisement
"Steve Angeli is out after a PRP (Platelet-rich plasma) shot to the Achilles tendon that he tore last year. It's part of an effort to help with his recovery from that injury. Syracuse hopes he will return "soon."
Odom did not play because of shoulder soreness. However, the transfer from Kennesaw State did at least try to play as he participated in the team's pregame warm ups. Odom was listed as a "gametime decision" on the final depth chart before officially being rule out.
Nelson was able to help the Orange build a double-digit lead, but it was not large enough to avoid a Virginia comeback. Nelson finished the evening 16-of-29 through the air for 219 yards and a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Nelson suffered an injury and was sent to the medical tent. That gave fourth-string quarterback Danny Lauter a chance to play. Lauter threw a 46 yard touchdown pass to Daunte Bacheyie.
What is the most likely scenario for Syracuse football at quarterback next week?
The question is more difficult now heading into the mid-way point of the season than at any point in the last nine months. Angeli's status for the rest of the season is completely unclear after being ruled out this week.
Advertisement
Odom seems the most likely to play, but his status is also unclear. Nelson played fine in his collegiate debut not enough to put a true stamp on him being the starter moving forward.
What's next for Syracuse football?
Syracuse will travel back to Central New York and begin preparations for the team's first home game in over a month. The Orange will host the Louisville Cardinals in an ACC matchup on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET). The Cardinals won on Friday night against the Florida State Seminoles 44-20.
