The Syracuse football team rolled to a 66-3 win over New Hampshire on Saturday afternoon at the JMA Wireless Dome, but the play on the field was not the only topic that had Orange fans talking on social media.

Saturday also marked the debut of new changes to the gameday events set up by the university. While it is early in the season, the newly-promoted changes are already a success for Syracuse. 

In a press release posted last month, the school announced these additions and changes to the football game day experience:

The area opened three hours before kickoff and will continue to open at that time before each scheduled home game. The thought process behind these changes are to create a more fun environment, from pregame atmosphere to the in-game experience. New athletic director Bryan Blair also wants to get the student population more involved, and he wants those students to stick through the entirety of the game, as opposed to leaving at halftime. 

Orange fans were overwhelmingly positive when it came to sharing some of the new gameday experiences on social media.

"Orange Chuck" wrote about the new quad setting before the game: "Probably a smart move since the adult tailgates are in the parking lots often with little for kids/families so why not find an area for them to have fun and enhance their experiences too."

One user was excited about the implementation of the "T-shirt cannon."

But despite the improvements, one user (@Mackie118) was not a huge fan, saying they would rather just see the band do more. "I like traditional stuff."

The win over New Hampshire, especially the historic nature of it, should help Syracuse fans get more excited about this season. After going 3-9 in 2025, the Orange needed a big statement to generate a buzz, and they got it.

Blair is hoping to give fans a reason to come to the game, not just for the action on the field, but the overall experience. Targeting the the children's demographic, along with the parents, will bring a crowd that is fan and family friendly. With Labor Day weekend now behind us, conference play ramping up, and a win already under their belts, there could be an even larger crowd and exciting environment for Week 2.

The Orange begin preparation for a Week 2 matchup against the California Golden Bears. The game will mark the first Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) game for Syracuse. Kickoff is set for Saturday 3:30 p.m. ET inside the JMA Wireless Dome. SyracuseRoundtable will bring you coverage all day long.