It was a poetic ending for year one of the Fran Brown era, as 21st-ranked Syracuse football defeated Washington State 52-35 in the DirecTV Holiday Bowl down in San Diego, California. In what could be the last game for many contributors this season (including QB Kyle McCord,) the team put on a show. Let’s dive into the report card one last time for a monumental season.
Kyle McCord – A++
This performance had me on the verge of tears, honestly. The Ohio State transfer capped off a historic season under the helm with 453 passing yards and five touchdown passes, which let’s be honest: we expected nothing less from our guy. Not only did it get SU the win, but McCord became the single-season leader in ACC history for passing yards, finishing the campaign with 4,779. We all hope and pray that Kyle somehow gets his waiver appealed and can return for 2025, but the university and anyone associated with it owes this man a big thank you. The greatest season in Syracuse football history has officially come to an end, and it’s hard to see a world where anyone comes close to replicating that any time soon, especially with the questions surrounding the position in 2025. Thank you for everything, Kyle. You were the true blessing in disguise.
Supporting Cast – A+
For a game that signified the end for so many, it was really nice to see those names be involved in a big way. For starters, a tip of the cap to Oronde Gadsden. Four receptions for 74 yards and two scores are strong on paper, but the impact that man has had on the program has been massive. Gadsden could’ve very easily declared for the NFL and left SU behind last year, but decided to stay and play with McCord, and giving McCord that safety blanket was exactly what this offense needed to do big things. Jackson Meeks’ final contest with the Orange allowed him to reach the 1,000-yard mark on the year, and with LeQuint Allen’s future in jeopardy, the junior found the end zone twice for 20 total scores this season. This offense will go down in the history books as the start of something special, and hopefully can continue to be a focal point for the future members of the roster.
Special Teams – D
I’m not getting negative in the final game of the season, but come on. This better not follow SU into 2025, or someone is going to hear it.
At the end of the road, what a season it was for Syracuse football. Head coach Fran Brown came in with one goal in mind: to change the culture. He did just that, and then some. For the first time in many SU fan’s lives, football may just be the best sport on campus. If this is just the beginning of the state of the program, it was quite frankly phenomenal, and there’s not a whole lot of room of error heading into 2025. Go Orange.
