Kyle McCord lights up Ohio's defense in Syracuse football's first victory in the Fran Brown era

Syracuse Football (1-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) opened up the 2024 campaign with a 38-22 victory over Ohio (0-1, 0-0 Mid-American Conference). Quarterback Kyle McCord introduced himself to Orange fans with career highs in both passing yards (354) and touchdowns (4).

Back in April, Fran Brown noted that he wants "to be able to line up and run power over and over again." But against the Bobcats it was clear getting McCord involved early was the game plan. The Orange had only 18 yards on the ground through the first two quarters.

Syracuse's only full drive in the first quarter went three and out and included two almost turnovers. When asked about it by reporters, McCord assured them he stayed calm.

“You have to just trust your preparation and know that it’ll be fine,” the Ohio State transfer said.

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McCord started off the second quarter hot. The quarterback threw for 63 yards during the Orange's second drive of the game. Tight End Oronde Gadsden caught a 28 yard pass to open up the scoring for Syracuse. SU got the ball with 49 seconds left in the first half, one timeout and 75 yards to go for a touchdown. Of the first five plays, four were passed in the direction of Gadsden and three connected for 47 yards.

On third and two from Ohio’s 28 yard line Jackson Meeks caught a short pass for a first down to extend the drive. After a spike to stop the clock, McCord delivered a spiral to Trebor Pena on a fade from the slot with just five seconds left on the clock. SU ended the first half up 17-9 and McCord finished the first half 18-24 with 211 yards through the air and 2 scores.

Out of the break, success continued for the Orange's quarterback. Running back LeQuint Allen hauled in a pass and charged in the endzone midway through in the third quarter.

Towards the end of the third frame, Pena caught his second of three scores of the day, extending SU’s lead 31-16. McCord hit eight different targets, and he used the whole field. His main targets were deep balls to Jackson Meeks and Yazeed Haynes, over the middle to Gadsen and Pena and in the flats to the running backs.

In the fourth quarter a 44 yard toss to Gadsden was called back due to a holding penalty which would have brought McCord’s yard total near 400. But the ‘Cuse had not surpassed 300 yards since Garrett Shrader in the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl.

In the offseason, McCord was exiled by Ohio State fans who sought out his failure at Syracuse, and 247sports analysts had him listed as the 9th best gunslinger in the ACC. Against Ohio he showed that he still has game despite people who ruled him out.

“It felt like youth football”, McCord stated postgame, which makes sense considering he, Alijah Clark, Fadil Diggs and Duce Chestnut were all teammates in sixth grade.

Syracuse hosts Georgia Tech next Saturday who is fresh off an upset against tenth ranked Florida State. WAER’s coverage starts with Countdown to Kickoff at 11:30 before gametime at noon.