Syracuse had a tough time in the Boca Raton Bowl against South Florida on Thursday night, as the Orange fell 45–0 to the Bulls to close out the 2023 season. That happened amid personnel turnover in the Syracuse program as it prepares for 2024 with a new coach.
In the meantime, the Orange had to deal with limited quarterbacking options in the bowl game. Braden Davis spent this season as a backup behind Garrett Shrader and Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, but neither of the latter two were available to play.
However, Davis didn’t get the start, as Syracuse instead turned to Dan Villari, a tight end who previously played quarterback at Michigan. Because Villari is listed as a tight end on Syracuse’s roster, he wore his No. 89 while playing quarterback, creating a strange visual that led pundits and fans to weigh in on social media.
We've got a Syracuse QB wearing No. 89 in the Boca Raton Bowl.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) December 22, 2023
Because he's a tight end. pic.twitter.com/cp6SKhBaTD
Any time someone tells you "there's too many bowl games," tell them about the 2023 Boca Raton Bowl when Syracuse's TE played QB in a #89 jersey. 🍊🫡 pic.twitter.com/QeK3E1yiy6
— College Sports Only (@CollegeSportsO) December 22, 2023
This is the worst game I’ve ever seen. The QB is wearing 89. They should stop bowl season until they fix college football. https://t.co/y5k1Xzl7E0
— ⚓Nobody⚓️ (@Uptown_Crowned) December 22, 2023
This looks like a throw a QB wearing 89 would make… USF is putting Syracuse in the torture rack! #BocaRatonBowl pic.twitter.com/s3SwKoUIsV
— CFB Pylon (@TheCFBPylon) December 22, 2023
Nah Syracuse having a QB wearing #89 is making my brain short-circuit
— Penn State Talk (@PSURecruitTalk) December 22, 2023
No way 89 odd playing QB 😂
— yae (@Rahnyae) December 22, 2023
Villari completed just four of 11 passes for 55 yards with two interceptions. Davis also played and totaled 84 yards on six completions without a pick. The Orange got roughed up by the Bulls on Thursday, but better times likely are ahead under new head coach Fran Brown.
