Syracuse, SMU ready to move on from painful losses

Field Level Media|published: Tue 30th September, 14:22 2025

Sep 27, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Rickie Collins (10) runs out of the pocket in the first quarter against the Duke Blue Devils at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Syracuse and SMU will look to rebound from tough defeats on Saturday afternoon when the Atlantic Coast Conference teams battle in Dallas.

The Orange (3-2, 1-1) are coming off a humbling 38-3 trouncing by Duke last weekend. Playing without starting quarterback Steve Angeli (torn Achilles), Syracuse turned to Rickie Collins for his first career start.

Collins finished 24-of-37 passing for 229 yards with an interception, while his top target, Johntay Cook, caught six passes for 74 yards but fumbled twice.

"He had a couple mistakes, but I don't think he struggled," Orange coach Fran Brown said of Collins, a transfer from LSU.

After posting a 10-3 record last season in Brown's first year on the sideline, Syracuse has not been as impressive in 2025. Of course, losing key players to graduation, transfers and injuries doesn't help.

"There's a lot that's going on, but we're still building a program," Brown said. "How many games we played last year? Thirteen -- and five this year. So I've only been there for 18 games, so it just takes time."

SMU (2-2, 0-0) needs a bit more time to get going this year, as well. The Mustangs, who played in the ACC title game a season ago, losing to Clemson, have been idle since a 35-24 defeat at rival TCU on Sept. 20.

SMU led that game with under 10 minutes to play before allowing two late touchdowns -- both on short passes in which TCU's Eric McAlister broke through the defense and sprinted 70 and 44 yards to the end zone.

"The execution on critical down and distances was not there," Mustangs defensive coordinator Scott Symons said. "We've got to execute and understand the importance of situational football."

Kevin Jennings passed for 290 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions against TCU. The junior has thrown at least one pick in every game and has watched his completion percentage dip from 73.3 percent in the season opener to 72.7, 66.7 and most recently 63.2 in the loss to the Horned Frogs.

The only previous meeting between Syracuse and SMU took place in 1932, with the Mustangs winning 16-6.

--Field Level Media