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A week ago versus Stanford, Syracuse fell for the first time under head coach Fran Brown. Its star quarterback struggled. Its running game was nonexistent. And its first-year coaching staff allowed the Cardinal’s star wide receiver to exploit a one-on-one matchup on the biggest play of the game, leading to a game-winning field goal.

Luckily for the Orange, a bout with Holy Cross was their first opportunity to bounce back. Entering its Week 5 contest, SU was 21-0 all-time against Football Championship Subdivision opponents. The trend continued Saturday.

Throwing a career-high 50 pass attempts, Kyle McCord accumulated 385 yards and four touchdowns. Despite a middling third quarter where the Orange didn’t score until the final play, SU pulled away enough through Jackson Meeks’ career day and a stifling rushing defense. A Jayden Bellamy pick-six with 10 minutes remaining in the game all but iced it.

Here are some observations from Syracuse’s (3-1, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) 42-14 win over Holy Cross (1-4, 0-0 Patriot League) Saturday afternoon:

McCord’s get back

For the first time as SU’s quarterback, McCord’s costly mistakes resulted in a loss for the Orange against Stanford. A third-quarter pick six and another interception in the early fourth quarter had SU clawing from behind the entire contest.

Versus the Crusaders, McCord quickly found his groove. On a 6-for-9 first drive, McCord found Umari Hatcher for a deep completion, then an on-the-move touchdown. Success quickly trickled into the second drive, with McCord finding Darrell Gill Jr. for a 26-yard gain and then a 23-yard score.

A third touchdown on three drives came to Meeks on the first play of the second quarter, losing a defender down the right sideline for a 38-yard score. On three drives, McCord already had 201 passing yards.

As the Crusaders brought added pressure and Syracuse’s offensive line lost its grip, SU was forced to punt on two straight drives. But on the penultimate drive of the half, McCord hit Meeks for a 24-yard gain before finding Trebor Peña for a touchdown. He closed the half on an interception but had 269 yards and four touchdowns heading into the locker room.

McCord threw another interception on the opening drive of the second half. Though he continued to push the Orange downfield, SU could only find the end zone once in the third quarter.

The quarterback slowed largely in the second half, not recording a touchdown. But his 385-yards and 50 attempts were both new career highs, continuing to show SU’s heavy reliance on its gunslinger.

Holding the line

The Syracuse rushing defense has had its share of ups and downs in 2024. Ohio’s 262 rushing yards in the season opener was highlighted by Anthony Tyus III’s big day. Against then-No. 23 Georgia Tech, the Orange held the Yellow Jackets to 112 on the ground. The Orange then allowed 173 rushing yards to Stanford but no rushing touchdowns.

Against the Crusaders, SU’s rushing defense held the line. Holy Cross, led by Jayden Clerveaux in the absence of Jordan Fuller due to a season-ending injury, has averaged 150 yards on the ground per game with over 37 attempts per game.

In Saturday’s contest, quarterback Joe Pesansky, Clerveaux and backup Sam Slade were limited. At the half, Clerveaux and Slade combined for just 19 yards. Pesansky had 16 yards on the ground in two attempts.

The biggest impact from the Crusaders running back unit came on their second touchdown, where Slade received a pitch to the right, then pulled up and lofted a pass to tight end Jacob Petersen for a touchdown.

The second half rushing defense held even stronger, allowing nine rushing yards on an impressive day for the unit.

Action Jackson

While McCord found four different receivers for touchdowns and nine offensive players recorded a reception, no pass-catcher stood out more than Meeks. In his second game in a starting role due to the absence of Zeed Haynes, Meeks had a career day, finishing with 10 receptions, 161 yards and a touchdown.

Meeks found the end zone on a go-ahead touchdown versus Stanford a week ago, giving SU a late lead. He finished the day with three receptions and 40 yards.

The senior was used in the intermediate game early on against the Cardinal, getting three short receptions sprinkled throughout the first quarter. But on the opening play of the second quarter, Meeks streaked down the right sideline, beating his man over the top for a 38-yard score. To close the second half, back-to-back receptions by Meeks set up Peña’s four-yard touchdown.

Already with six catches for 91 yards at the half, Meeks continued his torrid stretch in the third quarter. McCord looked to the wide receiver three consecutive plays, finding him for 16 yards twice then an eight-yard reception. Often perched at the right outside receiver position, Meeks makes his mark with physicality. Another 30-yard reception set up a LeQuint Allen Jr. rushing touchdown, putting the game at bay.

Where’s the run?

While averaging 31 points per game through its first three contests, SU’s rushing attack has been barely used. Entering Saturday, the Orange passed the ball over 60% of the time, attempting 128 passes compared to 79 rushes.

It has been a puzzling misusage, especially considering the presence of star running back Allen Jr. after a star-studded sophomore season. In SU’s Week 5 matchup, the running game again wasn’t a part of its identity.

Allen Jr. was initially used from the get-go, moving the sticks on a 10-yard rush on the opening play. He ran again for two yards up the middle before a play-action set allowed McCord to find Hatcher for a 40-yard gain. The opening drive ended in an SU touchdown through the air, but Allen Jr. had four rushing attempts and two receptions.

As the Orange continued to slice through the Crusaders defense, it was primarily through the air. Secondary running backs Will Nixon and Yasin Willis got some carries on SU’s third drive but nothing of great substance.

Allen Jr. was used more and more as the game waned on and the Orange attempted to close the door. The junior was used largely in the passing game, totaling seven receptions. He finished with 81 yards on the ground while the Orange finished with 125 overall. But SU’s identity is clear: win by McCord or die by McCord.

Kicking woes

Often going unnoticed, kickers usually take the spotlight either on a game-winner or on a horrid day. Saturday, it was the latter.

In the third quarter, Brady Denaburg missed two field goals. One was deflected wide, and another missed entirely. The Orange attempted a change at the position, replacing Denaburg with redshirt freshman Jadyn Oh.

Oh converted on an extra point to end the third quarter but doinked the upright on a 41-yard attempt. Nine missed points kept Holy Cross somewhat within reach throughout the second half and highlighted a sloppy finish from Syracuse.

Published on September 28, 2024 at 3:32 pm

Contact Aiden at: amstepan@syr.edu | @AidenStepansky