Syracuse, N.Y. - One week after a historic 66-3 victory over New Hampshire in Week 1, the 2026 Syracuse Orange football team was beaten for the first time on Saturday, losing 21-18 against Cal at the JMA Wireless Dome. 

It was a disappointing loss for SU, who held a lead at multiple points. They also had a chance to win the game late, but quarterback Steve Angeli was intercepted with a minute to go. He threw three interceptions in total.

The Orange are 1-1 overall and now 0-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play.

Freshman wide receiver Calvin Russell III did not play as he works back from an Achilles tear suffered in spring practice. However, he did get close, and he warmed up with the team prior to the game.

Here's the latest on his status:

One of the top recruits in Syracuse football history, the five-star from Florida is expected to make a major impact on the team's offense. An elite athlete, he played on the Syracuse basketball team once he enrolled in school (this past January).

His looming return from the Achilles injury is rather amazing, considering these injuries usually take 9-12 months to return from. Russell is not even at the six-month mark yet.

As our own Brady Farkas noted earlier this week, Russell's circumstances during his college career have changed quickly because of the new "aged-based eligibility model."

He'll eventually pair with Justus Ross-Simmons and Umari Hatcher in the wide receiver room.

Speaking after the game, head coach Fran Brown said this:

"I think he should be playing really soon. That's why you watched him in pre-game running routes.... I think he is right there"

Brown went on to further say "It's all about the kids being able to protect themselves. And if he (Russell) can protect himself, cool, he can go then. If he can't completely protect himself then you won't want to do that."

The Orange will be back in action on Thursday night against Pitt in an extremely quick turnaround. This will be the second ACC game for SU, and it will also be the first road test of the year.

It will be important for the Orange to iron out some of what went wrong on Saturday, including the turnover issues, the penalty issues, and the lack of a consistent run game.

The rivalry game between the former BIG EAST, now ACC, schools is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET.