Syracuse Oct 1, 2022; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange linebacker Austin Roon (42) tackles Wagner Seahawks quarterback Ryan Kraft (7) running with the ball during the first half at JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Blowouts are very common across college football with some of the nation’s top teams regularly taking on far inferior opponents in both conference games and non-conference matchups. However, it isn’t particularly common for teams to agree to mercy rules in an attempt to shorten those blowout games. But that’s exactly what we saw during Saturday afternoon’s game between the Syracuse Orange and the Wagner Seahawks.

After an absolutely dominant first half, Syracuse found itself up by a staggering score of 49-0 at the halftime intermission. At that point, the result of the game was effectively decided as there was essentially no hope of a Wagner comeback. As a result, the two teams decided to minimize the onslaught by shortening the game.

At halftime, Syracuse announce that the two teams had agreed to play 10-minute quarters instead of the standard 15-minute quarters in an effort to shorten the game for both teams.

While the decision made sense given such a lopsided score, it’s certainly not a common move. And the college football world had plenty to say about it on Saturday as a result.

Obviously, Syracuse cruised to an easy victory in the second half, beating Wagner with a final score of 59-0.

[Syracuse Football]