Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord's record-breaking performance led @CuseFootball past @UConnFootball 31-24.@ginoantimarino and @Hudson_Ridley had the call from the JMA Wireless Dome. pic.twitter.com/Y6jOPiF9n9
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) November 23, 2024
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - With five minutes remaining in the second quarter, Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord found receiver Darrell Gill Jr. inside the UConn five-yard line. A couple of plays later, running back LeQuint Allen would muscle his way into the endzone to give SU a 21-7 lead. However, that 19-yard play meant so much more. The successful completion gave McCord the most passing yards in a single season by an SU QB.
Syracuse (8-3, 4-3 in Atlantic Coast Conference) would go on to defeat UConn (7-4, 0-0 in Big East) 31-24 inside the JMA Wireless Dome.
Step aside, Ryan Nassib. @CuseFootball has a new single-season passing yards leader in QB Kyle McCord.@Hudson_Ridley narrated the record-breaking pass from the senior.
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) November 23, 2024
📻 @waer883, https://t.co/3UZwVeJZFC pic.twitter.com/gngAMBctDk
Throughout the contest, McCord showed off his brilliance. The senior finished the game completing 37 of his 47 attempts for 470 yards and two touchdowns. Saturday's contest was the first time McCord has thrown for 400 yards in a game throughout his career. 470 is also the second-most passing yards in a single game for an Orange quarterback. Ryan Nassib still holds the record with 481 yards in a game against Northwestern in 2012.
“I mean he’s the best quarterback in the country. I mean what else could you really say about that,” SU tight end Oronde Gadsden said. “He gets the ball to you on time….. Having a quarterback that’s willing to go through all the hardships with you when he first gets here. The timing might not be right with certain people, but you keep practicing and keep going at it, you get the final result.”
Another player who stole the show was receiver Darell Gill Jr. The sophomore only had 17 catches all year. On Saturday, Gill caught nine balls for 177 yards.
On the first play from scrimmage, @CuseFootball quarterback Kyle McCord unleashed a deep ball to wideout Darrell Gill Jr.@ginoantimarino had the call for the 53-yard strike downfield.
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) November 23, 2024
📻@waer883, https://t.co/BG0Q3sGq3P pic.twitter.com/DZokImc3e3
“I'm really happy for Gill… It shows you that our offense and Jeff Nixon spread the ball around so everyone touches the ball,” said SU head coach Fran Brown. “He's just a tough kid… all the things that don’t require talent he does.”
The Orange improve to 8-3. Syracuse finishes its regular season at home next Saturday against No. 8 Miami. Gametime is set for 3:30. WAER’s coverage starts at 3 p.m. with Countdown to Kickoff.