Syracuse Football Spring Game Ends in Comeback Win for Team Brown

Annual scrimmage showcases new starters and coaching staff as team prepares for upcoming season

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:34pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a Syracuse football game, with the players and field broken down into abstract shapes and planes of orange, blue, and white, creating a dynamic, geometric visual representation of the action.The Syracuse football spring game showcases the team's potential through a cubist lens, with the action on the field fractured into a dynamic, geometric display.Syracuse Today

The annual Syracuse football spring game featured a comeback victory for Team Brown, with the team rallying late to defeat Team Orange. The game provided a glimpse into the team's progress under new coaches, as well as a chance to evaluate position battles and depth across the roster ahead of the 2026 season.

Why it matters

The spring game is a crucial part of Syracuse's offseason preparation, allowing the coaching staff to assess the team's strengths and weaknesses while giving players an opportunity to compete for starting roles. With the team looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign, a strong showing in the spring game could build momentum heading into fall camp.

The details

The spring game featured a unique format, with the teams starting play in the final four minutes of the second quarter to focus on situational football. Quarterbacks Amari Odom and Malachi Nelson led their respective squads, showcasing their decision-making and leadership skills in a pressure-packed scenario. The game also provided a platform for Syracuse's deep running back and wide receiver corps to compete for playing time, while the offensive and defensive lines looked to demonstrate improvement under new position coaches.

  • The spring game took place on April 12, 2026.
  • Syracuse is coming off a disappointing 2025 season that saw them finish last in the ACC.

The players

Amari Odom

Sophomore quarterback for Syracuse, competing for the starting job.

Malachi Nelson

Redshirt freshman quarterback for Syracuse, also vying for the starting role.

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What they’re saying

“The spring game is a crucial part of our preparation for the upcoming season. It allows us to evaluate our depth and identify areas for improvement as we look to bounce back from last year's disappointment.”

— Dino Babers, Head Coach, Syracuse Football

What’s next

Syracuse will continue its offseason program, with players focusing on strength and conditioning as well as further developing their skills. The team will hold its annual media day in August before kicking off the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Syracuse football spring game provided a glimpse into the team's progress under new coaches and the competition for starting roles across the roster. While the team is looking to rebound from a tough 2025 season, the spring game showed promising signs of development that could translate into success in the upcoming year.