Chapel Hill, North Carolina - It has been almost 10 months since Syracuse Orange football has played a game. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the off season felt twice as long but the feeling of football returning hasn't changed.

Today the orange faced the #18 nationally ranked North Carolina Tar Heels on their turf and dropped their season opener for the first time in six seasons.

North Carolina is the first league opponent the Orange have faced in an opener since 2005.

Syracuse trailed 7-3 at halftime. The Tar Heels would go on a 24-3 run in the next two quarters to win 31-6.

Orange defense showed intense effort, forcing three turnovers – two interceptions by linebacker Mikel Jones and one from defensive back and preseason All-American Andre Cisco. Cisco’s interception gave him 13 for his career and moved him up to fourth place on the Syracuse all-time list. He now leads all FBS players.

The defense ran out of gas late and the offense did not respond. Just two field goals on the board.

Red shirt junior quarterback, Tommy DeVito ran for 30 yards on 6 carries and completed 13-31 passes for 12 yards. This game earned him the school record for consecutive passes without an interception with 201.

The Orange will face Pittsburgh Saturday, September 19 on the road on ACC Network.