McCord, ’Cuse Muscle Past #23 Georgia Tech in ACC Opener

Saturday, September 7

Syracuse, N.Y.

12 PM

Syracuse University

2-0 , 1-0

Georgia Tech

2-1 , 1-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Georgia Tech

Syracuse

McCord, ’Cuse Muscle Past #23 Georgia Tech in ACC Opener

9/7/2024 3:28:00 PM | Football

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A second-straight career performance from Kyle McCord helped the Syracuse University football team win its first ACC game in the Fran Brown Era, defeating No. 23 Georgia Tech, 31-28, on Saturday afternoon at the JMA Wireless Dome. The 'Cuse victory marks the fourth time since joining the ACC that the Orange have won their league opener at home.

Syracuse (2-0, 1-0 ACC) also earns its first win over a ranked opponent since the 2022 season.

McCord matched his high with four touchdowns and a career-best 381 passing yards, surpassing his previous high of 354 yards set in the team's season-opening win over Ohio. He also posted career-bests in attempts and completions, going 30-for-43 in the game.

After playing in just one game a season ago due to injury, Trebor Pena continued his strong start to the 2024 campaign, posting a career-high 88 receiving yards. The wide receiver also added two receiving touchdowns to add to his season total of five scores (four receiving).

LeQuint Allen Jr. accounted for 130 all-purpose yards in the victory (83 rushing, 47 receiving). Allen, who caught four passes from McCord, moved into a tie with Dontae Strickland for the fourth-most receptions by a running back in Syracuse football history with 63.

Fadil Diggs led the Orange defensive unit with seven tackles, including four solo and two for a loss. All told, Syracuse held Georgia Tech to 112 rushing yards, well below the Yellow Jackets' totals from their first two games with 190 against Florida State (Aug. 24) and 225 last week against Georgia State (Aug. 31).

Oronde Gadsden II put together a 93-yard performance in the passing game. The tight end also caught two touchdowns, matching his career best in the second-straight win at the Dome for Syracuse against the Yellow Jackets. Wide receiver Umari Hatcher also caught all-five passes that were thrown his way, while Jackson Meeks and Yazeed Haynes each caught four passes apiece.

After an early bye week, Syracuse resumes its four-game home swing on Friday, Sept. 20 for another ACC showdown, this time against Stanford. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on ESPN. Tickets are available at Cuse.com/tickets.

The Orange opened the game on the offensive side of the ball, putting together a seven-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a 28-yard pass from McCord to Allen, which set up an 11-yard touchdown reception for Pena.

Georgia Tech (2-1, 1-1 ACC) quickly equalized on its first possession of the game, leveling the game at 7-7, a score that would hold for the rest of the quarter.

The Orange kept pressure on the Yellow Jackets, forcing a three-and-out to get back on the offensive attack heading into the second quarter. Pena, who closed the first frame with a 21-yard reception to put the Orange on the Georgia Tech 49-yard line to begin the second quarter, finished the possession with his second 11-yard score of the contest. The wide receiver accounted for 64 receiving yards on the second Syracuse scoring drive.

After forcing the Yellow Jackets into another punt, McCord opened the Orange's ensuing drive with a 32-yard pass to Gadsden. The Orange quarterback later capped off a nine-play drive that covered 89 yards with a 20-yard touchdown to the tight end. The touchdown was McCord's third of the game, putting 'Cuse up 21-7 with six minutes to play in the first half.

The Yellow Jackets added a touchdown, but the Orange held a 21-14 lead heading into the half.

McCord who recorded eight passes for 15 or more yards, concluded the first half with 286 yards and three touchdowns in the air.

Tech received the kickoff to start the second half, but their possession was short-lived, as the Orange forced a another three-and-out. Following a seven-minute drive across 15 plays, kicker Brady Denaburg put Syracuse up, 24-14, with a 33-yard field goal. The Orange held their 10-point lead through the rest of the third quarter.

Georgia Tech started the final quarter with the ball after forcing 'Cuse to punt. The Yellow Jackets, who picked up one first down to start the possession, needed to convert a fourth and one attempt, but were denied on a tackle for loss by Diggs.

Syracuse took advantage of the excellent field position at the Georgia Tech 31. The Orange scored their fourth touchdown of the afternoon on a 17-yard throw from McCord to Gadsden to go up, 31-14.

Georgia Tech added a four-yard rushing touchdown with bring the score to 31-21, Syracuse, with three and a half minutes to play.

After recovering an onside-kick at their own 44-yard line, the Yellow Jackets went down the field and for another touchdown, pulling to a three-point game, 31-28, with 2:31 to go.

On its final drive on the contest, a 24-yard rush from Allen helped the Orange run down the clock and secure its second-straight win to start the year.

Gallery: (9-7-2024) Football vs Georgia Tech