Syracuse football moved the ball, created scoring opportunities and even held a late lead Saturday afternoon. But a mistake-filled performance ultimately proved too costly, as Cal rallied for a 21-18 victory over the Orange in their conference opener at JMA Wireless Dome.
Syracuse piled up 436 yards compared with 247 for Cal, yet the Orange repeatedly failed to capitalize. Fifteen penalties for 134 yards erased big plays and extended Cal drives, while Steve Angeli threw three interceptions and Syracuse missed several chances to add points in the red zone.
The loss was Syracuse’s first of the season, dropping the Orange to 1-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
Tylik Hill gave Syracuse an early spark with a 55-yard run on the second play from scrimmage, but the drive stalled inside the red zone and ended with a 25-yard Tripp Woody field goal. Woody added another field goal early in the second quarter after Syracuse again reached scoring territory without finding the end zone.
The Orange finally broke through when Angeli connected with Daunte Bacheyie for a 23-yard touchdown shortly after Bacheyie hauled in a 38-yard reception. Syracuse failed to convert the ensuing two-point attempt, leaving the score 12-0.
Cal answered before halftime when Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele found Chase Hendricks for a touchdown, trimming the deficit to 12-7.
The Golden Bears then took the lead in the third quarter after Angeli’s first interception gave them favorable field position. Sagapolutele finished the drive by finding Jordan King for a touchdown.
Syracuse answered with a methodical drive that featured six first downs, with Ju’Juan Johnson scoring from one yard out. Another unsuccessful two-point attempt left the Orange ahead 18-14.
Syracuse had multiple opportunities to extend its lead in the fourth quarter. A Cal defensive stop on fourth down was erased by a 12-men-on-the-field penalty, keeping the Orange in scoring range, but Woody’s field goal attempt hit the upright.
Cal then turned the game around with 4:51 remaining. Kingston Lopa intercepted Angeli and returned it for a touchdown, giving the Golden Bears a 21-18 lead.
The Orange got one final chance after forcing a punt, but Angeli was intercepted by Lopa for the third time, ending Syracuse’s comeback hopes.
Angeli completed 24-of 49-passes for 306 yards, 1 touchdown and two interceptions. Justus Ross-Simmons made a strong return with five catches for 82 yards, while Bacheyie finished with four catches for 73 yards and a touchdown.
GAME RECAP LINKS
- Syracuse squanders double-digit lead, falls to Cal 21-18 for 1st 2026 loss (dailyorange.com)
- Orange Downed by Cal in ACC Opener (cuse.com)
- Cal 21, Syracuse 18: Orange collapse against Golden Bears (nunesmagician.com)
- Syracuse Undone by Penalties and Interceptions in 21-18 Loss to Cal (si.com)
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
FRAN BROWN’S POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
MEDIA
FAKE. PUNT. JUMP. PASS. pic.twitter.com/2pEMmN1ptj
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 12, 2026
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.