Syracuse stuns No. 6 Miami 42-38 in a historic victory

On Nov. 25, 2023, former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord threw two interceptions in a 30-24 loss to Michigan. In the following weeks, the New Jersey native, largely because of his performance in The Game, transferred to Syracse. Today, for his new school, McCord threw for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-38 win over #6 Miami. Off of the back of this performance and another Buckeyes loss to the Wolverines, McCord was especially satisfied with the result.

“Everything comes full circle,” the senior quarterback said.

The win for Syracuse (9-3, 5-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) didn’t come easy. Entering the contest, Miami (10-2, 6-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) was favored by double digits and needed a victory to make the ACC championship game. This strong record for The U is largely off the back of quarterback Cam Ward. Entering the game, the Washington State transfer led the nation in passing touchdowns and was second in passing yards. The only quarterback ahead of Ward in this statistic was McCord. In a game where both offenses were expected to shine, only one showed up after a quarter.

The Hurricanes went down the field three times and scored a touchdown in all three attempts. Ward threw two of these scores and made plays on the ground as well. On the other side, the Orange’s first two drives ended in a turnover on downs and a three-and-out. Down 21-0 early in the second quarter, the game looked over before halftime. Then, the Syracuse offense rallied. McCord completed passes to four different players, including a 26-yard reception by receiver Trebor Pena. The drive ended in a LeQuint Allen Jr. touchdown.

A comeback can’t only be complete with the offense scoring points, and Syracuse’s defense knew that. The Orange forced back to back punts from the Hurricanes and allowed their offense to stay on the field. This was especially important for SU safety Devin Grant knowing who he had on his team.

“Let’s calm it down,” Grant said. “Giving up 21 points is like ‘Wow!’ When we really sat down and doctored it at halftime, we (realized we) got to lock in and get the ball back to Kyle (McCord) and let him do what he does best.”

McCord responded to these stops by throwing scores to Pena and wide receiver Jackson Meeks. The first of the two was especially momentous, as McCord broke the single season school record for passing touchdowns with 27.

That left the game tied at 21 apiece in the third quarter. In a game where an offensive showdown was promised, the second half delivered. Ward and McCord both shined on scoring drives, finding playmakers as the third quarter wound down. Then, Miami had the ball off of a Syracuse turnover, and was driving once again. That was until Ward lost the football and Grant recovered it for SU and took it back for six.

The scoop and score is the second defensive touchdown of the year for the ‘Cuse. For Grant, who’s been playing on a torn MCL for four weeks, it meant so much more.

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“Nothing is bigger than the S,” Grant said. “The play… I was grateful for it to come out and fortunate to take it to the house, so it’s a blessing.”

It was the first lead of the afternoon for Syracuse, and while it didn’t last long because of a Miami touchdown, momentum was with SU. In their final scoring drive, McCord and the Orange relied on players who had been getting it done all afternoon. First it was a completion to tight end Oronde Gadsden, his fourth catch of the game. Then, it was finding Meeks for a 29-yard reception. The senior had over 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns, in what was a massive day for the wideout.

“Coach Ross always preaches that the game is always on the receivers, when it comes down to it we’re the ones making the play,” Meeks said. “As long as we got Kyle and the o-line protecting, there’s no team we can’t beat.”

The nine play drive, ended with an Allen rushing touchdown, which was the junior’s second of the day. With a little over nine minutes left in the game, Miami had the ball down a possession and the clock on its side. Ward led the Hurricanes down the field in a methodical, 13 play drive that took nearly six minutes off the clock. However, after penalties forced the Hurricanes away from the goaline, they were forced to make a decision: go for a touchdown to tie the game or kick a field goal. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal elected for the latter decision.

“We used analytics,” Cristobal said. “If it was outside the 10-yard line and with four minutes to go, it was always going to be to get the points and get the stop.”

However, that was the last team Miami’s offense took the field. Allen and Pena both ran for first downs, and McCord, in his final game in the Dome, kneeled it out for the win.

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Fans rushed the field, the goal posts were torn down, and Syracuse head coach Fran Brown was all smiles.

“We truly love each other,” Brown said. “I’m just very thankful for these players and these fans. Syracuse is back.”

This Syracuse victory is significant for multiple reasons. For one, it’s the Orange’s first top ten win in seven years. The 21-point deficit overcame in the first half made the result the biggest comeback victory in school history. For Brown, however, the win is only a small step in what are his larger plans for the program.

“I want to win a national championship,” Brown said. “I wanted to go to the conference championship, but I guess this is progress.”