Ashley Wenskoski is joined by Class of 2026 quarterback Semaj Beals on this overtime episode of The Orange Zone Podcast. Beals is the quarterback at Philadelphia's Roman Catholic High School, where he broke the city's all-time passing yards record as a junior last fall - a record that was previously set by none other than Kyle McCord. Beals recently went on an official visit to Syracuse and is heavily considering the Orange as he approaches his commitment date on July 12th. #syracuse #syracusefo...
Jun 25, 2025•9 min•Ep. 170
Samantha Croston and Ashley Wenskoski are back and have a LOT to talk about in the world of Syracuse sports this week! Regy Thorpe is formally introduced as the new SU women's lacrosse head coach, SU men's basketball is on campus for summer workouts and Kiyan Anthony has arrived, the Orange have a new strength and conditioning coach, and SU football makes moves in the 2026 recruiting class. Join us! 00:00-11:45: Regy Thorpe is FORMALLY introduced as the fourth head coach in SU women's lacrosse h...
Jun 24, 2025•33 min•Ep. 169
Samantha Croston and Ashley Wenskoski are joined this week by two very special guests. Both Allyson Trice (SU '21) and Paige Crandall (Le Moyne '24) are headed to compete for the Haudenosaunee Nationals in the Pan-American Lacrosse Association (PALA) Women's Qualifier at the end of June in Florida. The top four teams from the tournament will qualify for the 2026 World Lacrosse Women's Championship. The 11-team field for the qualifier will see the Haudenosaunee compete against ten countries. Both...
Jun 17, 2025•26 min•Ep. 168
On this episode of the Orange Zone Overtime, Samantha Croston sits down with Class of 2026 Commit Jimmy Gregg, the No. 1 Punter in his class, who explains why he committed to Syracuse Football. #football #cfb #syracuse #franbrown #collegefootball #syracuseorange #college #athletics #athlete _______________ Listen to "The Orange Zone Podcast" Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NkZCYL8YU52I9UmXdVdDq Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-orange-zone/id1646679134 iHeartRadio...
Jun 17, 2025•15 min•Ep. 167
Samantha Croston and Ashley Wenskoski are here to discuss some BIG NEWS in the world of women's college lacrosse. Former SU star Kayla Treanor is headed to Penn State after four seasons at the helm of the Orange, and former assistant and Orange alumn Regy Thorpe is set to become the FOURTH women's lacrosse head coach in SU history. Was SU ready for a change? What does Thorpe bring to the table? And why does SU seem to hire mostly alumni? Join us to discuss the coaching switch! 00:00-8:24: Kayla ...
Jun 10, 2025•22 min•Ep. 166
Samantha Croston and Ashley Wenskoski have a ton to talk about this week in central New York sports! FIRST UP, the rivalry is over for now- Syracuse and Georgetown men's basketball WILL NOT play each other next season. PLUS, the Orange add a new center, and the men's lacrosse season ends in heartbreak for Syracuse and celebration for Cornell. Join us! 00:00-8:34: Syracuse and Georgetown WILL NOT play each other in the 2025-26 men's basketball season 8:35-16:07: Syracuse men's basketball gets a c...
May 29, 2025•34 min•Ep. 165
Men's lacrosse RUNS THROUGH central New York! Samantha Croston and Ashley Wenskoski are BACK from Long Island to preview the FINAL FOUR for NCAA men's lacrosse. What did Gary Gait reveal after SU took down Princeton in the quarterfinals? Plus, a look inside the matchups- Syracuse is set to play Maryland, while Cornell looks for revenge against Penn State. 00:00-5:16: It was a SHOOTOUT between Syracuse and Princeton, and Joey SPALLINA had something to prove 5:17-8:30: How did Gary Gait CHANGE SU'...
May 20, 2025•12 min•Ep. 164
May 15, 2025•18 min•Ep. 163
Syracuse Men's Lacrosse defeated Harvard in a CLASSIC comeback overtime win, but can Cardiac Cuse keep rolling against Princeton? Does this team have what it takes to win a National Championship and might it be a rematch of 2009 against Cornell? Samantha Croston and Ashley Wenskowski dive into the team's chances and how they stack up against the nation's best. #syracuse #acc #lacrosse #collegelacrosse #cornell #cornelluniversity #lax #su #orange #harvard #viralvideo #theorangezone #podcast #cuse...
May 15, 2025•23 min•Ep. 162
On this episode of The Orange Zone, Samatha Croston and Rachel Culver welcome LEGENDARY sports broadcaster MIKE TIRICO. The discussion hit on what the City of Syracuse means to him. the EXCITEMENT around SU Football, and the ever EVOLVING world of college sports. 0:00:00 - 0:15:32 Mike Tricio on what Syracuse means to him 0:15:32 - 0:22:51 The first season under Fran Brown and renewed excitement around SU Football 0:22:51 - 0:36:34 The future of the College athletics landscape with NIL and the t...
May 08, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 161
Ashley Wenskoski sits down with Doug Scott, Chief Strategy Officer at NETWORK. The sports management and marketing agency recently signed Syracuse football head coach Fran Brown, and Scott provides details on the deal. Why was Brown desirable as a client? What separates him in the realm of college athletics? What will NETWORK provide as a part of the partnership? And much more. #cfb #collegefootball #syracuse #syracusefootball #franbrown #sports #sportsmarketing #ncaa #ncaafootball #acc ________...
May 07, 2025•19 min•Ep. 160
Samantha Croston and Ashley Wenskoski PREVIEW the NCAA Tournament opening round matchups for Syracuse men's and women's lacrosse, as well as No. 1 Cornell men's lacrosse and Colgate men's lacrosse. Everything you need to know ahead of a weekend chock full of central New York's best lacrosse! 00:00 - 9:16 : Syracuse men's lacrosse is ACC CHAMPIONS. Recapping the ACC Tournament, previewing Sunday's matchup against Harvard 9:17 - 13:51 : Syracuse women's lacrosse will face BROWN in the first round ...
May 06, 2025•23 min•Ep. 159
Ashley Wenskoski sits down with "the king of New Jersey high school football!" Bergen Catholic High School head coach Vito Campanile joins us to break down QB Steve Angeli's transfer from Notre Dame to Syracuse. Campanile served as Angeli's high school coach and is the brother of SU quarterbacks coach Nunzio Campanile. When did Angeli decide to leave the Irish? Why was Syracuse the right fit for him? What will he bring to the Orange offense? And did Fran Brown guarantee him the starting job ahea...
Apr 28, 2025•14 min•Ep. 158
Samantha Croston and Ashley Wenskoski react to the SHOCKING news out of Syracuse football today. Wide Receiver Trebor Peña is entering the transfer portal after 5 seasons with Syracuse. Peña led the team last season with 941 yards and 9 touchdowns. The 2024 All-ACC wide receiver was named a captain by Head Coach Fran Brown in December and was the only non-quarterback to get a non-contact jersey this Spring. Peña is expected to be one of the most coveted wide receivers in the transfer portal mark...
Apr 15, 2025•21 min•Ep. 157
Samantha Croston and Ashley Wenskoski recap Syracuse football's SPRING GAME. Why wasn't Rickie Collins on the field at the JMA Wireless Dome? Who excelled in his absence? PLUS, breakout players to watch this fall. Which position group is the deepest? What are some areas to be concerned about? And much more!! #syracuse #syracusefootball #collegefootball #cfb #syracuseorange #rickiecollins #franbrown #springfootball #sports #podcast _______________ Listen to "The Orange Zone Podcast" Spotify: http...
Apr 12, 2025•13 min•Ep. 156
Samantha Croston and Ashley Wenskoski discuss the LSU transfer Rickie Collins being named the starting QB for the Orange this season by HC Fran Brown. We preview this Saturday's Spring Game and let you know which players could make a name for themselves. We also dive into the transfer portal additions for Syracuse MBB, including one of the top point guards in the portal, Naithan George, joining the Orange from Georgia Tech. Can these pickups help HC Red Autry's squad compete in the ACC next seas...
Apr 10, 2025•29 min•Ep. 155
Samantha Croston and Ashley Wenskoski have a LOT to unpack in the world of Syracuse sports this week. It's March - let the Madness begin. The season is over for Syracuse- what are Rick Pitino and St. John's doing right? Did UNC deserve to be in the NCAA Tournament? PLUS, could Syracuse and Colorado football face off in a spring scrimmage? Fran Brown vs. Coach Prime, anyone? 00:00-3:02: The season is OVER for Syracuse men's basketball after losing to SMU 3:03-12:35: Adrian Autry CALLS OUT the med...
Mar 19, 2025•37 min•Ep. 153
Samantha Croston, Ashley Wenskoski, and Lawrence "Poetry" Moten discuss the outlook for Syracuse men's basketball heading into the ACC Tournament. Syracuse has confirmed that Adrian Autry will be BACK for Year Three - what has to change NIL and culture-wise within the program to right the ship? 00:00-5:52: Syracuse preps for ACC Tournament first round vs Florida State 5:53-7:45: This is the FIRST SU undergrad class to NOT see an NCAA Tournament berth 7:46-11:18: Adrian Autry will RETURN for a th...
Mar 11, 2025•25 min•Ep. 152
Samantha Croston, Ashley Wenskoski, and Lawrence "Poetry" Moten are back as the regular season winds down for Syracuse men's basketball. The Orange have clinched an ACC Tournament berth by a slim margin - but that CAN'T be the standard again next season. What has to happen to shake things up? 00:00-3:00: Syracuse clinches an ACC Tournament berth in the most Syracuse way possible - through the losses of other teams 3:01-12:07: Outlook for SU to close out the regular season against SMU and Virgini...
Mar 04, 2025•22 min•Ep. 151
Samantha Croston, Ashley Wenskoski, and Syracuse men's basketball all-time leading scorer Lawrence "Poetry" Moten are assessing the state of the program's NIL resources. After Mike Waters from Syracuse.com put some numbers behind the problem in an article this week, there's concerns as to whether or not SU can truly be competitive in the national NIL landscape. Plus, the Orange are on the bubble of the ACC Tournament. 00:00 - 21:36 : The numbers behind Syracuse men's basketball's lack of NIL - t...
Feb 26, 2025•25 min•Ep. 150
Samantha Croston, Ashley Wenskoski, and Lawrence Moten are discussing the past week for Syracuse men's basketball - a triple overtime win over Boston College and two disheartening losses to Miami and UNC. Could this team be in danger of missing the ACC Tournament? 00:00-5:32: Syracuse grabs a TRIPLE-OT win over Boston College 5:33-9:24: Miami feels like the worst loss of the season, UNC was a winnable game - this team finds ways to LOSE 9:25-14:50: What is Syracuse playing for at this point? A l...
Feb 19, 2025•25 min•Ep. 148
Samantha Croston, Ashley Wenskoski, and Lawrence "Poetry" Moten take the temperature of Syracuse men's basketball. After a win over Notre Dame, the Orange dropped two straight against Clemson and Pittsburgh- Moten gives his thoughts on what is MISSING from Autry's coaching style. PLUS, a look at a big win for Syracuse women's basketball. 00:00 - 3:46 : SU drops games against Clemson and Pittsburgh 3:47 - 8:20 : Has Autry figured out a FLOOR combination that he TRUSTS? 8:21 - 19:08 : What is the ...
Jan 29, 2025•27 min•Ep. 147
On this episode of The Orange Zone Podcast, Samantha Croston, Ashley Wenskoski, and SU Basketball Legend Lawrence Moten discuss Syracuse Men's Basketball's loss to Louisville followed by their 17-point comeback win over Notre Dame. Which version of this team is the real one? 00:00-6:02: What was the difference between the LOUISVILLE and NOTRE DAME games? 6:03-8:46: What is JJ Starling's ROLE versus JACQUAN CARLOS? 8:47-15:46: Syracuse Basketball is MIDDLE OF THE PACK, Moten DISLIKES it 15:47-19:...
Jan 22, 2025•20 min•Ep. 146
Samantha Croston and Ashley Wenskoski are moving into BASKETBALL season! Syracuse men's basketball ALL TIME LEADING SCORER Lawrence "Poetry" Moten is back for another season- he brings his thoughts on the disappointing season from this year's team so far. Is it too late for SU to turn it around? 00:00-3:05: SU has shown signs of life as of late, won their last two ACC games 3:06-16:17: Is the problem team CHEMISTRY or is it TALENT? How much is Autry to blame in Year Two? How much does next year'...
Jan 14, 2025•24 min•Ep. 145
Samantha Croston and Ashley Wenskoski are back for an Orange Zone OVERTIME with some instant reaction. Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord has declared for the NFL Draft - where does this leave Syracuse football next season? What did McCord mean to the SU football program? And much more #ncaafootball #ncaa #accfootball #syracusefootball #syracuse #syracuseorange #kylemccord #nfl #nfldraft #franbrown _______________ Listen to "The Orange Zone Podcast" Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NkZCYL8Y...
Jan 11, 2025•15 min•Ep. 144
Samantha Croston and Ashley Wenskoski are here for an ORANGE ZONE OVERTIME. It's the big question on everyone's mind: will the NCAA grant SU quarterback Kyle McCord a waiver for a fifth season of eligibility? The pros, cons, and everything in between on McCord playing another season at Syracuse or declaring for the NFL Draft. PLUS, our thoughts on Cam Ward opting out of the Pop-Tart Bowl. 00:00-2:59: McCord is currently APPEALING the NCAA decision 3:00-6:42: What happened with McCord's redshirt ...
Jan 01, 2025•30 min•Ep. 143
Samantha Croston and Ashley Wenskoski recap the trip to sunny San Diego, where Syracuse football painted the town Orange in a 52-35 Holiday Bowl win over Washington State. Kyle McCord becomes the ACC's all-time single-season passing yards leader and Syracuse gets ten wins in Fran Brown's first season. 00:00-2:52: San Diego is a delight 2:53-4:27: Holiday Bowl recap, Syracuse pulls away for highest offensive output of season 4:28-8:48: Jackson Meeks breaks 1,000 yards rushing, declares for NFL Dr...
Jan 01, 2025•24 min•Ep. 142
***Disclaimer: this episode was filmed BEFORE Washington State QB John Mateer announced he was transferring*** On this episode of "The Orange Zone" podcast, CNY Central Sports Reporter Ashley Wenskoksi and 4 News Now Sports Reporter Sydney Berger preview the upcoming matchup between Syracuse Football and Washington State in the Holiday Bowl. #ncaa #ncaafootball #syracuseorange #syracusefootball #accfootball #syracuse #washingtonstate #pac12 #acc #franbrown #kylemccord _______________ Listen to "...
Dec 17, 2024•16 min•Ep. 141
Samantha Croston, Ashley Wenskoski, James Mungro, and Rachel Culver preview No. 21 Syracuse football's Holiday Bowl against Washington State. Will Kyle McCord and other seniors play in the game? Plus, overarching thoughts on Syracuse's season in head coach Fran Brown's first year. 00:00-: 4:11: SYRACUSE FOOTBALL heads to SAN DIEGO for HOLIDAY BOWL 4:12- 11:12: Is KYLE MCCORD playing in the BOWL game? 11:13-13:32: WASHINGTON STATE preview 13:33-16:51: SHOULD all players OPT IN to bowl GAMES? Does...
Dec 11, 2024•21 min•Ep. 140
In this episode of The Orange Zone Overtime, CNY Central Sports Director Samantha Croston an News Anchor (and longtime football fan) Dale Ostrander break down Syracuse Football's bowl assignment. Was it fair? What can the Orange gain from this experience? And perhaps most importantly, which players will actually take the field? _______________ Listen to "The Orange Zone Podcast" Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NkZCYL8YU52I9UmXdVdDq Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/th...
Dec 09, 2024•15 min•Ep. 139
