Syracuse football (3-5) has been searching for answers since quarterback Steve Angeli suffered a torn Achilles in a huge road win versus Clemson on Sept. 20. Orange head coach Fran Brown is turning to an unlikely player to help lift the team out of the doldrums and back into the win column.
True freshman and walk-on Joseph Filardi will make his first start under center in Friday night’s game against North Carolina (2-5), according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Filardi, a lauded lacrosse recruit, has only logged one offensive snap this season entering the ACC showdown.
While the Tar Heels have yet to earn a conference victory, inexperienced signal-callers do not tend to fare well against all-time great NFL head coach Bill Belichick. However, perhaps Brown is looking to use the unknown to his advantage. Syracuse clearly feels like it has nothing left to lose at this stage of the season.
The Orange have been painfully outmatched without Angeli, losing five consecutive games all by double digits and failing to score 20 points. Rickie Collins posted a sub-50% completion percentage twice while occupying the starting role and has thrown more interceptions than touchdown passes. Change was needed.
Filardi has a chance to rejuvenate a dejected fan base that is doing its best to remember what it felt like trouncing Clemson in Death Valley. He can also put the Belichick regime under even more scrutiny.
The JMA Wireless Dome may need to prop up the Dix Hills, New York native, as nerves are bound to be high in this televised matchup. Whether or not the move works, Fran Brown is displaying a notable amount of fearlessness in the face of Bill Belichick.
The opening kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
https://clutchpoints.com/ncaa-football/syracuse-football-news-walk-on-first-career-start-vs-bill-belichick-north-carolina
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