NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
Syracuse finished their season in dominant fashion. With a win over the Washington State Cougars, the Syracuse Orange finished the season with a 10-3 record and won the DirecTv Holiday Bowl 52-35. It was always going to be a lopsided game, but just “how much” was the question. With too many players and coaches leaving the program via the transfer portal, the Cougars put up a good effort, but the Orange offense proved to be too much.
Offensively, everyone on the Orange ate. Kyle McCord would go on to complete 24/34 passes (71%) for 435 yards and 5 TDs. LeQuint Allen would keep his 2-TD trend alive with 17 carries for 120 yards (7.1) and would catch 3 passes for 45 yards and a receiving TD. McCord would go on to be the all-time passing leader of the ACC. Allen would finish the year with 16 rushing TDs and 4 receiving and accomplish back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.. The duo were part of an explosive attack for Syracuse this season but were not the only ones.
Applause goes out to McCord but you also have to give credit to his WRs. Sophomore Darrell Gill Jr. had an explosive night for SU despite only catching the football 4 times. He’d go on to finish with 145 yards but unfortunately, did not find the endzone. His chemistry down the stretch with McCord came on strong and it paid off in the Holiday Bowl. Jackson Meeks was another WR who only got better as the season progressed and he would finish with 5 catches for 110 yards.
What’s crazy is, that two WRs caught over 100 yards and neither of them found the endzone. Luckily, two of their teammates despite not having as explosive of plays. Tight End Oronde Gadsden II would catch 2 TDs on his 4 receptions for 74 yards. Then, of course, there’s Mr. Reliable Trebor Pena who was one of McCords favorite targets throughout the year. Pena would finish with 5 catches for 70 yards and a pair of TDs as well as be involved in the run game with 3 rushes for 38 yards.
Yet it wasn’t all fun and games for Syracuse. Washington State proved why they were in a bowl game to begin with. In what can be described as an emergency role, QB Zevi Eckhaus would come in against Syracuse and complete 31 of 43 passes for 363 yards, 3 TDs, and 2 INTs. Despite the two interceptions, you have to give credit where it is due. What would this game have looked like if Washington State was at full force?
Leo Pulalasi carried the ball 14 times for 61 yards at 4.4 ypc. The Orange did a good job containing an attack featuring a rushing QB by holding Eckhaus to just 28 yards on 11 carries despite a trip to the endzone. Kyle Williams continued to shine and took Syracuse to school with 10 catches for 172 yards and a TD. Carlos Hernandez also made a name for himself averaging 10 ypc on 8 catches for 80 yards and a TD as well.
Call it whatever you want, but Washington State showed up with pride and made a game out of it. This could’ve easily been a one-sided football game, but you have to respect the sportsmanship of the Cougars to show up, take the field, and give everything they had. That kind of determination should draw some eyes to their program next season and Syracuse will look to turn the page on theirs.
