The Syracuse Orange football team made a major change at quarterback for this Friday night's game against North Carolina, handing the start to former Half Hollow Hills West standout quarterback Joseph Filardi. Filardi, who was recruited to Syracuse for his lacrosse talent, was suddenly thrust into action for a nationally televised matchup against a Bill Belichick-led defense. This wasn’t just his first start — it was his first time ever seeing the field in a college football game.
Cuse head coach Fran Brown declined to name a starter all week before Friday’s contest, ultimately benching previous quarterback Rickie Collins, due to the QBs ineffectiveness. The Orange have faced uncertainty at the position since Week 4, when starter Steve Angeli suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in a win over Clemson. With Angeli under center, Syracuse boasted one of the top passing offenses in the nation. He led all quarterbacks in passing yards through his four games played.
However, since his injury, Syracuse’s passing attack has ranked among the country’s worst, forcing the team to look for answers. That led to Filardi, the freshman walk-on quarterback from Dix Hills, who may have the potential to rescue what has been a disappointing season for the Orange.
Filardi is officially committed to join Syracuse’s men’s lacrosse team this spring, but his football talent has quickly drawn attention. Though his debut didn’t go as planned, there is growing interest from the coaching staff in seeing what the young athlete can do with more experience.
At Half Hollow Hills West, Filardi put together an exceptional senior campaign, throwing for 3,115 yards and 43 touchdowns during the 2024 season. His poise, athleticism, and competitive drive could give Syracuse something to build on as the program looks for stability — and perhaps a surprise story — to close out the season.