Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli, out for the season with a torn left Achilles, vowed Tuesday to “get right back” up and be there for his team the rest of the season.
Angeli suffered the noncontact injury in the third quarter of the Orange’s 34-21 win at Clemson on Saturday.
He had surgery Monday and posted a hospital-bed photo along with an inspirational message to social media site X on Tuesday.
“Yesterday, I had successful surgery on my torn Achilles,” he wrote. “I appreciate all the texts and phone calls wishing me well and a speedy recovery. I’ve learned through life and football that God doesn’t give us anything we can’t handle, and I couldn’t be more fired up for the challenge to fight through this and become a better man and a better player!”
He said he is “100% committed” to the team, despite being sidelined.
“Everything we want is still right in front of us and I can’t wait to continue to grind with my brothers to reach our goals!”
Syracuse is 3-1 (1-0) heading into its home game against Atlantic Coast Conference foe Duke (2-2, 1-0). The Blue Devils defeated North Carolina State 45-33 last weekend.
Angeli as a mentor
Rickie Collins will start at quarterback for the Orange, but he can count on Angeli to serve as a mentor, Syracuse coach Fran Brown said.
It’s vital for the team, and also for Angeli, to stay involved, and the coaches have figured out a plan to achieve that, Brown said.
“We have a detailed plan for him after he comes back,” Brown said. “I believe that us having this plan, him traveling, him being everywhere, him doing everything -- he just can't play -- it'll help him mentally.”
And he’ll do his rehab, too, while being an extension of the coaching staff, Brown said.
“He's pretty much going to be a GA (graduate assistant) for the next nine months until it's time for him to get back” on the field.
Angeli was leading the FBS rankings in passing yards at the time of the injury. Brown said he expects him back next season. It is expected he will be granted a medical redshirt, which would give him two remaining seasons of eligibility.
Despite coming out of the Clemson game early, Angeli still ranks second in the nation in passing yards with 1,317.
Sawyer Robertson of Baylor has 1,320.