Syracuse vs. Colgate 2025: Must-Know Keys to Week 3 Matchup

It’s Syracuse vs. Colgate in a 2025 Week 3 matchup at JMA Wireless Dome as the Orange host the Raiders. Despite the old school rivalry, this contest should be a one-sided affair in favor of Syracuse based on the talent level between the two programs. But, there’s a reason they play the games – so let’s dive in.

Syracuse Orange vs. Colgate Raiders: Matchup History

Syracuse and Colgate first played each other in football in 1891. It was a fierce rivalry, with students renting planes to drop pamphlets (and paint) on the campus of their in-state foe. And believe it or not, Colgate was the superior program – at least for the first 60 years.

Yet perhaps the most fascinating thing about this rivalry is the reason it’s always played at Syracuse. In 1897 during a game played in Hamilton (at Colgate), a Syracuse player broke free and was going to score the game-winning touchdown. That is, until a reporter who was a Colgate alumnus went on the field and tackled him, preventing the score. The game ended in a 6-6 tie and from that point forward, every contest was held in Syracuse.

The rivalry was so intense that a written pact between student representatives of both schools was signed in 1951 to outlaw vandalism and create specific standards for when pranks could be done.

Fast-forward to 2025 and Syracuse holds just a 32-31-5 record over Colgate. Yet Syracuse’s ascension as a collegiate powerhouse has made this old rivalry uncompetitive since 1950 (the last time Colgate won).

Syracuse vs. Colgate 2025: Must-Know Keys to the Game

Key Players for Colgate

Colgate comes into this matchup 0-2, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have some playmakers.

On offense, that starts with quarterback Zach Osborne. The quarterback is a 6-foot-2 player that can make plays as a passer and runner. Osborne has been careful with the football, with four touchdowns to zero interceptions. However, he’s also the team’s leading rusher with 82 yards on 16 carries.

Osborne doesn’t have the strongest arm, but his ball placement against man coverage can be excellent.

Roll the highlight 🎥

Another crazy catch from Treyvhon 👀

📺: https://t.co/SQ0ijaE68o pic.twitter.com/p6MnrBF8Jp

— Colgate Football (@ColgateFB) September 6, 2025

The second player to keep an eye on for Colgate is wide receiver Treyvhon Saunders. Saunders made First Team All Patriot League in 2024, and is the eighth player in program history to eclipse 2000 receiving yards.

At 5-foot-10, Saunders is slightly undersized. However, he’s extremely shifty with great awareness. The receiver knows how to get open, and isn’t afraid to lay out to make a catch. And entering Week 3, he’s already had a game with 13 catches for 223 yards and two touchdowns. If there’s any player to keep an eye on for Colgate, it’s Saunders.

𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐲 ✊

Treyvhon’s 223 receiving yards last night were tied for the third-most in a single game in program history. #GoGate | #DrawTheLine pic.twitter.com/RJ9ewsF1mS

— Colgate Football (@ColgateFB) August 30, 2025

On defense, the key player to watch for Colgate is sophomore linebacker Christian Magliacano. The linebacker has been one of the few standouts on the unit, producing 20 tackles with an interception and forced fumble through two games. In a game where Syracuse is likely to pound the rock, Magliacano will be important for Colgate in Week 3.

Key Players for Syracuse

This contest should be an easy bounce-back game for Steve Angeli. And, it’s likely fans see Rickie Collins in this contest, too. However, given the weaknesses of the Colgate defense, running back Yasin Willis is a primary player to watch in this game.

Willis has 139 yards on 34 attempts with four touchdowns through two games. However, it’s how the running back plays that will be effective in this matchup.

Willis runs to inflict damage. His bruising style intends to break down defenses. And against an FCS opponent in Week 3, that playstyle will be the message sent to the rest of the team.

On defense, the focus will be on Demetres Samuel Jr. Given Colgate’s lack of a rushing attack, the Raiders will likely try to feed Treyvhon Saunders the ball. And that means Samuel will be tested against one of the better receivers in the FCS. If the freshman cornerback and the Syracuse secondary can shut down the passing attack, we might see another 65-point shutout in Week 3.

What to Look For in Week 3

Normally, this section entails how the team will win their respective game. Yet considering Colgate hasn’t won this matchup since 1950, this week’s section will include what Syracuse fans should be looking at in the contest.

Rickie Collins Debut

If this game isn’t decided by halftime, that would be quite a surprise. With that in mind, in a blowout, fans who clamored for Rickie Collins last week may get their wish in Week 3.

Yet regardless of where you stand on the QB1 conversation, it’s important for the backup quarterback to get reps in blowout games. It would be shocking if we don’t see Collins get his feet wet in this contest.

Offensive Line and Protections

While Fran Brown told me that he couldn’t answer specific questions regarding the offensive line and protections, everyone can agree that Steve Angeli was pressured far too much against UConn in Week 2. Angeli was hit countless times by untouched defenders with no adjustment.

That can’t happen against Colgate – period. If Angeli faces consistent pressure in this game it’s a serious problem for Syracuse.

Defensive Pressure

Despite blitzing at one of the highest rates in college football, Syracuse is not getting to the passer. Through two games, interior defensive lineman Kevin Jobity Jr. holds the only sack for the Orange. However, the team has been starting to get pressure.

Colgate should be the get-right game for the front seven in terms of getting to the quarterback and setting a distinct linebacker rotation.

Specifically, the right side of Syracuse’s pass-rush should have success in Week 3. Colgate’s starting left tackle Ryan Murphy has put together an 18.0 pass-blocking grade in 2025. No, that is not a typo. He’s given up eight pressures and one sack through two games. If Syracuse does their job right, that number (unfortunately for Murphy) should increase after Week 3.

Enter Week 4 at 2-1

Winning against Tennessee in Atlanta was always going to be difficult. However, another true test comes in Week 4 against the Clemson Tigers. Going into South Carolina with a 2-1 record gives the team confidence. Syracuse needs to do their job in Week 3 to prepare for an epic ACC showdown on September 20.