San Diego witnessed college football history on Friday night as Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord shattered the ACC single-season passing yardage record, previously held by Clemson’s Deshaun Watson. McCord’s aerial assault, featuring 453 yards and 5 touchdowns, propelled the No. 22 Orange to a 52-35 victory over Washington State in the Holiday Bowl.
A Season for the Ages
McCord, who transferred from Ohio State prior to the season, put together one of the most prolific campaigns in conference history. The strong-armed signal caller finished the year with a staggering 4,779 passing yards, surpassing Watson’s 2016 mark of 4,593 yards.
In addition to the yardage record, McCord set new Syracuse single-season bests in several categories:
- Touchdown passes: 34
- Completions: 391
- Pass attempts: 558
Orange Bowl Offensive Explosion
While McCord was the star, he had plenty of help against the Cougars. Running back LeQuint Allen topped 1,000 yards for the second consecutive season, rushing for 120 yards and two scores. Wide receivers Darrell Gill Jr. (145 yards) and Jackson Meeks (110 yards) each eclipsed the century mark, with Gill making a spectacular grab to push McCord past Watson’s record.
“It’s an incredible feeling to etch my name in the ACC record books, but this was a total team effort,” McCord said after the game. “My O-line gave me time, and my playmakers made things happen after the catch. I’m just thankful to be a part of this special group.”
– Kyle McCord, Syracuse quarterback
Overcoming Adversity
Washington State put up an admirable fight despite dealing with significant coaching turnover and player departures. Backup quarterback Zevi Eckhaus, who had only thrown seven passes all season, nearly matched McCord with 363 yards and three touchdowns in a gutsy performance.
Ultimately, the combination of McCord’s precision and a late defensive stand helped Syracuse secure its first 10-win season since 2018. First-year head coach Fran Brown joined exclusive company, becoming only the second Orange coach since World War II to achieve double-digit victories in his debut campaign.
A Look Ahead
With McCord set to return for his senior season, the future looks bright for Syracuse football. The record-setting quarterback will look to build upon his historic junior campaign and lead the Orange to even greater heights in the competitive ACC.
As the college football world catches its breath after a thrilling bowl season, one thing is certain: Kyle McCord has firmly established himself among the nation’s elite quarterbacks. His Holiday Bowl heroics have set the stage for what promises to be a fascinating 2025 season in Syracuse and across the ACC.
