College Football Fans Were So Fired Up to See Syracuse QB Wearing No. 89 in Bowl Game
Syracuse had a tough time in the Boca Raton Bowl against South Florida on Thursday night, as the Orange fell 45–0 to the Bulls to close out the 2023 season. That happened amid personnel turnover in the Syracuse program as it prepares for 2024 with a new coach.
In the meantime, the Orange had to deal with limited quarterbacking options in the bowl game. Braden Davis spent this season as a backup behind Garrett Shrader and Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, but neither of the latter two were available to play.
However, Davis didn’t get the start, as Syracuse instead turned to Dan Villari, a tight end who previously played quarterback at Michigan. Because Villari is listed as a tight end on Syracuse’s roster, he wore his No. 89 while playing quarterback, creating a strange visual that led pundits and fans to weigh in on social media.
Villari completed just four of 11 passes for 55 yards with two interceptions. Davis also played and totaled 84 yards on six completions without a pick. The Orange got roughed up by the Bulls on Thursday, but better times likely are ahead under new head coach Fran Brown.
