Career Days from McCord, Gill Lead Syracuse over UConn

Saturday, November 23

Syracuse, N.Y.

12 PM

Syracuse University

UConn

Career Days from McCord, Gill Lead Syracuse over UConn

11/23/2024 3:38:00 PM | Football

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Kyle McCord and Darrell Gill Jr. both recorded career performances to help lead the Syracuse football team (8-3, 4-3 ACC) over UConn (7-4), 31-24, on Saturday at the JMA Wireless Dome. With the win, 'Cuse secured its first eight-victory season since the 2018 campaign.

McCord finished the contest with a career-best 470 yards, surpassing his previous mark of 392, which he set this season at Boston College. The quarterback also ended the game completing 79-percent of his passes, his best of the season. The 470 yards was 12 shy of Syracuse's single-game passing record. With 3,946 passing yards this season, McCord is now the Syracuse record holder for passing yards in a single season, surpassing Ryan Nassib's 3,749 yards in the 2012 season.

Three receivers went over the 100-yard mark in Saturday's win. Darrell Gill Jr.'s 177 receiving yards shattered his previous career-best of 55, which he set earlier this campaign against Stanford. His nine receptions in the win are also a personal best. The wide receiver started the game with a 53-yard catch on the Orange's first play from scrimmage, a new long for him.Oronde Gadsden II recorded 103 yards in the air, his third-straight 100-yard outing, and Jackson Meeks tallied seven catches for 110 yards.

The Orange tallied 538 yards of total offense in the victory and limited the Huskies to 352.

McCord and the 'Cuse offense started the game with a bang when the quarterback launched a 53-yard deep pass to Gill on the first play from scrimmage. Just one play later, McCord connected with Gadsden on a 22-yard touchdown pass, putting the Orange on the board just 50 seconds into the game, their fastest score this season.

UConn tied the game at 7-7 three possessions later, converting a fourth-and-one with a 71-yard touchdown rush, but the Orange regained the lead early in the second quarter, capping a 12-play, 77-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown pass from McCord to Trebor Pena.

Syracuse then doubled its lead with 3:17 to play in the first half when Allen finished off a 68-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown rush. The Huskies added a touchdown with 32 seconds left in the half, as the Orange held a 21-14 lead heading into the break.

Jackson Kennedy got Syracuse on the board first in the second half, converting a 23-yard field goal after a nine-play, 69-yard Orange drive. The Huskies responded with a field goal of their own, bringing the 'Cuse edge to 24-17 heading into the final quarter of regulation.

Syracuse opened the fourth frame with a 10-play, 73-yard possession that resulted in a one-yard touchdown rush by McCord to bring the lead to 31-17 with 10 minutes left in the game.

UConn added a touchdown with 1:29 left to play, but it was the Orange who claimed the 31-24 victory.

The Orange close out their regular season against No. 11 Miami on Saturday, Nov. 30 at the JMA Dome. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. with the game being broadcast nationally on ESPN. Tickets to the game can be purchased at Cuse.com/Tickets.