Syracuse football entered the 2025 season with optimism, only to watch a cascade of setbacks culminate in an eight‑game losing streak that defined its campaign.
A Defensive Overhaul Led by Toledo’s Kehres
The quarterback position proved especially fragile. After starter Steve Angeli went down with a season‑ending injury, the Orange were forced to rely on a carousel of backups, each unable to replicate Angeli’s production. In response, Coach Fran Brown bolstered the room with experienced options, including Amari Odom, a dual‑threat transfer, and Malachi Nelson, a former top prospect now in his fourth program. Young talent such as Zaid Lott and newcomer Danny Lauter, who chose jersey 21 to honor legend Lawrence Moten, also add depth.
Defensively, the Orange struggled against ACC opponents, exposing gaps that the coaching staff moved quickly to address. Enter Vince Kehres, the defensive mastermind from Toledo, who arrived with a proven scheme and a handful of key players.
Kehres brought a staff that included Perry Eliano and Dan Bolden, and he imported several standout players from his previous program, among them linebacker Chris D'Appolonia and defensive back Amare Snowden. Their arrival signals a shift toward a more aggressive, turnover‑driven unit that finished second nationally in 2025 behind only Ohio State.
The 2026 schedule opens with home games against New Hampshire and Cal before road trips to Pitt, UConn and Virginia, offering the Orange a chance to reset early and build momentum.
Coach Fran Brown has emphasized stability at the quarterback spot, ensuring experienced backups are in place to avoid the pitfalls of the previous season. The moves reflect a broader strategy to blend continuity with fresh ideas as the program moves into its third year under Brown.
With a mix of veteran transfers, promising freshmen and a defense retooled by a coach who once helped Toledo rank second nationally, Syracuse hopes to turn the page and contend for a winning season in 2026.