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Syracuse football thrashes Washington State 52-35 in the Holiday Bowl.

Kyle McCord gears up to launch a pass downfield in win over Washington State.
cuse.com
Kyle McCord gears up to launch a pass downfield in win over Washington State.

Syracuse football (10-3, 5-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) demolished Washington State in a 52-35 victory Friday night where winners got washed (in eggnog) down in San Diego. The Orange clinched their 8th ten-win season in program history. However, head coach Fran Brown still thinks the best is yet to come. “I think the ten wins showed that we are becoming a successful program. But, we have to continue to work.”

Quarterback Kyle McCord finished his record-breaking season with a 453 passing yard, five passing touchdown performance. Not only did the gunslinger break the ACC throwing yards record, but the senior also became the first ACC QB since 2003 with 450 passing yards and 5 passing TDs. The man under center even climbed the single season FBS passing yards record. McCord jumped to 26th on the list, tied with former Cougar QB Gardner Minshew. While many still question his potential return to Syracuse, and McCord even said that if he does “get that extra year, both are great options,” his success this season alone has thrown him into the category of Syracuse’s greats. Headman Brown stated himself “Kyle means everything to us.” The quarterback holds the SU single season record for passing yards and touchdowns.

Into the game itself, to start SU and Wazzu’s first matchup since 1979, they went blow for blow to start. First, the Orange and the Cougars traded touchdowns. Then, the Orange’s leader in total TDs, running back LeQuint Allen, added fuel to the fire with a rushing score.

LeQuint Allen (1, White) barrels through defenders in SU’s win over Washington State.
cuse.com
LeQuint Allen (1, White) barrels through defenders in SU’s win over Washington State.

The Cougars had let up two unanswered touchdowns. So, a pair of consecutive scores themselves was just what the doctor ordered. The first time crossing the plane was a 66-yard pitch-and-catch from quarterback Zevi Eckhaus, who made his first career FBS start, to Ryan Williams, who led Washington State in receiving yards and touchdowns in the regular season. SU wouldn’t go down without a fight. Tight end Oronde Gadsden was one of a few players who decided not to opt out, and his impact was felt. The redshirt junior connected with McCord for an 18-yard score.

Oronde Gadsden (19, white) corrals the ball for a touchdown in SU’s win over Washington State.
cuse.com
Oronde Gadsden (19, white) corrals the ball for a touchdown in SU’s win over Washington State.

Junior LeQuint Allen would tack on his second score of the night after the Gadsden touchdown. That not only gave SU its first lead since the opening quarter, but it also placed Allen third in SU program history for single season rushing touchdowns. Just before intermission, Gadsden would double up on scores to give the Orange a two score lead. Out of the locker rooms, quarterback Kyle McCord was within reach of the most single season passing yards in ACC history. The signal caller found Darrell Gill jr. for a 50-yard gain. Then notched the achievement when he hooked up with wideout Trebor Pena on a 9-yard grab.

SU would finish that possession with a missed field goal. The only better way to rain on McCord's parade, was a Washington State touchdown. Eckhaus found WR Carlos Hernandez for a 42-yard house call. The QB had more passing yards than former starter John Mateer ever had against a power conference team. SU’s offense got back to work. The Orange were the only team in the nation with three 60 reception wideouts. Tonight, those three receivers all had 70 or more receiving yards in Gadsden, Meeks, and Pena. Offensive prowess spread to the defense. Eckhaus' inexperience was exposed midway through the fourth when the senior threw his second interception of the contest.

On the other hand, QB McCord’s seniority shined through. He notched his fifth passing touchdown of the game on a 33-yarder to LeQuint Allen. Allen became 4th in Syracuse history for rushing + receiving touchdowns for a career. The Cougars went down and scored a touchdown with ten seconds left. That was nowhere near enough to stop the SU. The Orange stayed classy in San Diego with a 52-35 victory.