HOUSTON, Sept. 22, 2025 — Syracuse University head coach Fran Brown has been named Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Week following ‘Cuse’s 34-21 road win on Saturday.
The win was Syracuse’s first in Death Valley and snapped a five-game skid to the Tigers.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor Coach Bryant’s legacy and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.
Syracuse has now won three consecutive games, and Brown, the 2025 Newcomer Coach of the Year, is 2-0 in ACC openers.
The Orange jumped out a ten-point lead before Clemson ever took possession of the ball, and never trailed in the contest.
Steve Angeli passed for 245 yards and two scores, completing 18 of 31 passes, while Rickie Collins added a touchdown pass. Will Nixon picked up a score on the ground, while Yasin Willis led ‘Cuse with 94 yards rushing on 18 carries.
Johntay Cook led the Orange with 113 receiving yards on six catches, but it was the tandem of Justus Ross-Simmons and Darrell Gill Jr. who found the end zone, with Simmons picking up a pair of touchdown receptions and Gill adding one.
Devin Grant had nine tackles, including two for loss and a pass breakup, Braheem Long Jr. added eight with one tackle for loss, one sack, and a pass breakup; and Antoine Deslauriers made eight stops and forced a pair of fumbles.
Syracuse’s defense turned in a strong effort, allowing Clemson to convert on just 3 of 13 third down opportunities and permitting the Tigers just two trips into the red zone.
Syracuse returns to action Saturday, September 27, hosting Duke in a noon kickoff on the ACC Network.
The selection of Brown as National Coach of the Week follows the selections of Texas A&M’s Mike Elko, USF’s Alex Golesh and Florida State’s Mike Norvell.
Continuing through the remainder of the regular season, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards will recognize a coach weekly for leading their team to an exceptional victory. The National Coach of the Week award is chosen by a committee of national college football media members.
Fans can follow the lead up to January’s 40th annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Ceremony at facebook.com/bryantawards, x.com/bryantawards or Instagram.com/bryantawards or the hashtag #BryantAwards. To attend the exclusive, VIP experience visit bryantawards.org.
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