Fran Brown Finds Positive in Syracuse’s Historic Loss: ‘This May Sound Crazy’
In a recent matchup, the Syracuse Orange faced a disappointing loss against the No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, with a final score of 70-7. This defeat marked the worst loss for the Syracuse football program since 1893 and left the team’s morale shaken. Head coach Fran Brown, visibly emotional in the aftermath, acknowledged the significance of this humbling experience.
Fran Brown’s Perspective on the Loss
Despite the crushing defeat, Coach Brown sought to find a silver lining. He indicated that the opportunity for learning from such a comprehensive loss could be valuable. “This may sound crazy,” Brown said, “but there’s a lot of good I see from that football team that I want my football team to look like.”
Defensive Challenges and Momentum Shift
The Irish’s formidable defense played a pivotal role in the game, amassing five sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Syracuse’s offense struggled to gain momentum, having to face a 21-0 deficit before even fully engaging their offensive strategy. Notre Dame’s defense dominated early, with two interception returns for touchdowns and a special teams touchdown from a deflected punt.
Quarterback Situation
Syracuse’s quarterback, Joe Filardi, had a tough outing, accruing three interceptions and just 83 passing yards. Coach Brown took the step of benching Filardi for Luke Carney to attempt to stabilize the situation. Carney, however, managed to complete only four passes in his time on the field.
Offensive Struggles and Future Outlook
The Orange’s offense has faced significant issues this season, including turnovers. The combination of Filardi and redshirt sophomore Rickie Collins has resulted in 13 interceptions against only seven touchdowns, in stark contrast to former quarterback Steve Angeli’s performance prior to his injury.
- Angeli had 10 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions before his injury.
- Syracuse has not recorded a win since Angeli’s injury on September 20.
As they reflect on the loss, Syracuse players emphasize resilience and focus on future improvement. Tight end Dan Villari expressed hope following the defeat, asserting, “I don’t think we’ll lose like that again after this.”
Recruitment and Looking Forward
Fran Brown reinforced a message of optimism regarding the future of the football program. He highlighted the significance of recruiting efforts for the class of 2026, emphasizing that the team is eager to develop their talent moving forward. “We just want to build something special,” Brown stated.
As the Syracuse football program looks ahead, they remain focused on overcoming challenges and turning adversity into growth opportunities.
