Syracuse Football Shuts Out Colgate in Home Opener

SYRACUSE, N.Y.–Syracuse picked up their first win of the season Saturday, defeating Colgate 65-0 in their home opener at the JMA Dome. Aside from the shutout, Syracuse set a new program record of 677 total yards. 

Seven different receivers were able to score a touchdown and two different quarterbacks contributed to the new program record. Out of the 677 total yards, 406 were passing and 271 were rushing. 

LeQuint Allen Jr., Damien Alford, Isaiah Jones (2), Umari Hatcher, Oronde Gadsden II, Darrell Gill Jr., and Kendall Long all found the back of the endzone. 

LeQuint Allen Jr. scores the first touchdown of the game in the middle of the first quarter. 
Photo by: Patrick Smith

Syracuse capitaloized on Colgate turnovers starting with a pick-six by sophomore cornerback Jermiah Wilson late in the first quarter. This was Jermiah Wilson’s first career interception. The Orange scored 16 points from three Colgate turnovers in the game.

Starting quarterback Garrett Shrader went 18 for 24, for 257 yards. He completed 75% of his passes. Shrader was able to throw four touchdown completions to Alford, Hatcher, Jones, and Gadsden II. 

Quarterback Garrett Shrader finds tight end Oronde Gadsden II in the back of the endzone for his first touchdown of the season. 
Photo by Patrick Smith

Shrader said that he was happy to see a lot of different receivers score.

“It was nice to see all those guys get endzone, especially younger guys and guys that are good players but just need confidence, a little game confidence,” said Garrett Shrader. 

Quarterback Garrett Shrader at the post game press conference. 
Photo by Patrick Smith

The Dome was filled with excitement and fans were pleased see the majority of the roster on the field. Gill Jr. and Long both had their first career touchdowns against Colgate. Gill Jr. is a true freshman from Texas. 

Shrader threw one interception with 11 seconds remaining in the half. He started the second half looking to redeem himself until backup quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson stepped on the field in the beginning to the third quarter. . 

Wilson connected with three different receivers to result in three touchdowns. He also had no interceptions. 

Head Coach Dino Babers said the team has room to improve before next weekend’s non conference matchup. The Orange faced seven penalties during the game. 

“I’m not happy about that,” said Dino Babers. “We are going to go back and get the results and solve those problems.” 

Head Coach Dino Babers at the post game press conference. 
Photo by Patrick Smith

Syracuse will face Western Michigan on Sept. 9 in the Dome at 3:30 p.m where they are looking to improve their record to 2-0.