Kyle McCord throws for 4 touchdowns, Syracuse defeats Holy Cross 42-14

University sports

Holy Cross sacked McCord three times on Saturday.

By MARK FRANK, Associated Press

September 28, 2024 | 4:12 p.m

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Kyle McCord threw four touchdowns, all in the first half, and 385 yards and Syracuse beat FCS Holy Cross 42-14 on Saturday.

McCord's scoring passes went to four different receivers. Just four games into his first and only season at Syracuse, the Ohio State transfer has become the sixth Orange quarterback to record three or more 300-yard passing performances in his career.

LeQuint Allen ran for 81 yards and a 1-yard score and caught seven passes for 54 yards. Jackson Meeks had a career-best performance with 10 balls for 161 yards to lead Syracuse. The Orange had 520 yards of total offense compared to 203 for the Crusaders.

Joe Pesansky was 14 of 25 for 167 yards for Holy Cross, but had a 33-yard pick 6 to Jayden Bellamy. Max Mosey had five receptions for 105 yards and a score.

Syracuse is 22-0 against FCS opponents.

Syracuse (3-1) took a 21-0 lead with 14:54 left in the second quarter. The Orange defense held the Crusaders (1-4) to three three-and-outs to start the game, and McCord connected on touchdown passes of seven yards to Umari Hatcher, 23 yards to Darrell Gill Jr. and a 38-yard strike on Meeks.

Syracuse outgained the Crusaders 204 yards to 14 and allowed no first downs in the first quarter.

The Orange appeared to be in total control, but the Crusaders were no longer pursued and responded quickly in the second attack. Pesansky hit a wide-open Mosey up the middle at the Syracuse 32. Mosey ran it untouched into the goal for a 63-yard score. On their next drive, running back Sam Slade received Pesansky's throw and passed to Jacob Petersen from 27 yards out, putting the Crusaders up 21-14 midway through the second. The Crusaders' defense also came alive, sacking McCord twice.

Just before halftime, Syracuse regained control when McCord hit Trebor Pena on a 4-yard scoring strike, extending the Orange lead to 28-14 at the break. Allen's 1-yard plunge gave the Orange a 35-14 lead as time expired in the third.

If there are moral victories, this was it. Holy Cross made it a game, sacking McCord three times and holding its own against an FBS opponent.

Syracuse coach Fran Brown can't feel good about this win. The offensive line failed to protect McCord, the Orange committed five penalties and the field goal situation needs to be addressed.

Holy Cross: The Crusaders open Patriot League play Saturday at Colgate.

Syracuse: The Orange travel to Las Vegas to play UNLV on Friday night.