Why did Steve Angeli and Syracuse’s starters play in 4th quarter of lopsided win vs. New Hampshire?

Syracuse opened its football season with a dominant 66-3 victory over New Hampshire on September 5, 2026. The game featured a significant return for quarterback Steve Angeli, who led the Orange to the win after an absence of 350 days due to injury. The offense was bolstered by strong performances from the running back corps, specifically Shavane Anderson, whose debut was described as the best in the ACC in 20 years according to PFF grades and snap counts. Despite the lopsided score, coverage notes that Steve Angeli and other Syracuse starters remained in the game during the fourth quarter. Major sports outlets including ESPN and Yahoo Sports focused on the final score and the historic nature of the running back performance.

Local coverage from WSYR, WSTM, and Syracuse.com highlighted the community excitement, noting that downtown buzzed and fans began partying earlier than usual for the opener. Specifically, Syracuse.com raised questions regarding the coaching decision to keep starters on the field late into a blowout game, while The Daily Orange provided observations on the effectiveness of the running backs and Angeli's return to action. Context for the event centers on the long recovery period for Steve Angeli, whose return after nearly a year away was a focal point for WSTM and nunesmagician.com. The stakes for the game involved not only the season opening but also the evaluation of new talent, as Sports Illustrated reported on how prospects reacted to the blowout win. The disparity in the final score of 66-3 underscores the dominance of the Syracuse program in this specific matchup against the Wildcats.

Future attention will likely focus on the health and sustainability of Steve Angeli's performance following his return. Observers will be watching to see if the Orange continue to utilize their starters in similar game situations or if the fourth-quarter rotations change in subsequent matchups. Additional scrutiny is expected regarding Shavane Anderson's ability to maintain his historic ACC debut momentum as the season progresses into more competitive conference play.