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When Kyle McCord entered the transfer portal after commanding Ohio State’s offense for one season, he seamlessly fit in with Syracuse.

Former SU starting quarterback Garrett Shrader no longer had college eligibility, and the Orange didn’t have a suitable backup or incoming recruit capable of starting. So, when McCord committed to SU on Dec. 17, he instantly became the starter.

In his JMA Wireless Dome debut during Syracuse’s spring game, McCord showcased stability from the quarterback position that the Orange lacked last season. Playing just in the first half, McCord completed 18-of-28 passes for 242 yards and a touchdown.

“Who said (McCord is) not one of the best quarterbacks in the ACC?” head coach Fran Brown said postgame.

Last season, SU’s quarterback room was far from the best in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Between mostly Shrader and backup Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, the Orange’s 2,223 passing yards ranked last in the ACC.

Beginning in November, after Shrader suffered an injury versus Virginia Tech on Oct. 26, SU’s offense didn’t have a legitimate passing threat. After Del Rio-Wilson, who also suffered an injury, started and threw four interceptions in SU’s 17-10 loss to Boston College on Nov. 3, Syracuse turned to a wildcat-heavy offense.

While the Orange produced wins over Pitt and Wake Forest, with tight end Dan Villari and running back LeQuint Allen Jr. taking the majority of snaps under center, the playstyle was unsustainable. In addition to a 31-22 loss to Georgia Tech on Nov. 18, Syracuse was blown out 45-0 in the Boca Raton Bowl by South Florida.

Shrader had shoulder surgery and was ruled out against the Bulls while Del Rio-Wilson was also inactive. Thus, Syracuse relied on Villari and Allen Jr. from the wildcat. In SU’s blowout loss, it generated just 139 passing yards.

It was evident that Syracuse needed a quarterback.

So when McCord, who threw for 3,170 yards and 24 touchdowns at Ohio State in 2023, became available, Brown made it a priority to get him to SU. Throughout spring practices, Brown said McCord feels there’s one day they wish they could take back, but he otherwise indicated the signal-caller has smoothly transitioned to his new school.

While Brown said he looks at the spring game just as practice, it was the first time in the calendar year SU played in front of fans. For newcomers like McCord, it was their first time to showcase to the fanbase what they bring to the table. The transfer quarterback showed consistency that was absent from Syracuse’s quarterbacks a season ago.

Though his first three throws weren’t highlight-reels, McCord got the ball out of his hands quickly with completions to Allen Jr., Trebor Peña and Zeed Haynes to get the white team across midfield.

On fourth-and-2 from the blue team’s 47-yard line, the defense brought intensified pressure. But McCord stood strong in the pocket before finding Peña open in the middle of the field for a first down.

After a first-down incompletion and two runs set up fourth-and-3 from the 33-yard line, McCord made one of his best throws of the game. Receiving a clean pocket — a situation he thrived in at Ohio State — McCord perfectly floated a ball up for Darrell Gill Jr. who made the catch over two defenders at the five-yard line. The completion set up a touchdown run for Allen Jr. on the next play.

McCord hits Darrell Gill Jr. for a fourth-down conversion bringing the white team into the red zone. pic.twitter.com/HQvgLHaM9s

— Justin Girshon (@JustinGirshon) April 20, 2024

To start its next drive, the white team used play action to scheme Peña open across the field. Linebacker Marlowe Wax originally committed to the run and was a step behind catching up to Peña. McCord fired the ball over Wax’s head and into his receiver’s hands for an easy 25-yard completion.

While McCord’s next attempt fell incomplete, it was a beautiful goal-line fade that went through Gill Jr.’s hands for what would’ve been a touchdown. Still, McCord remained unfazed. Despite facing a third-and-13 two plays later, he connected with Haynes on a go route for a 38-yard touchdown.

“He’s just a pro, he does it all the right way,” Brown said of McCord.

McCord made his first mistake on the white team’s third drive, throwing what should’ve been a pick-six that Buffalo transfer Devin Grant dropped. Despite the mistake and facing third-and-6, McCord connected with Peña on a post route for a nearly 50-yard play. Following two strong runs from Yasin Willis, the white team extended its lead to 21-0.

Though the white team went three-and-out on its next drive, another big gain on a pass from McCord to Peña set up Allen Jr.’s second touchdown run on its ensuing possession. Then, with just over three minutes remaining in the first half, McCord led the offense down to the blue team’s three-yard line which led to a field goal attempt just before halftime.

As shown by McCord being the only player wearing an orange jersey — to avoid contact and a potential injury — he’s the most important player on SU’s roster. In the four months leading up to Syracuse’s season opener on Aug. 31 against Ohio, Brown wants his quarterback to keep improving, noting that the players around him play with a different edge for the signal caller.

“I’m happy with what I’ve seen from him, but I want him to grow, I want him to get a lot better because if he continues to get better, he’ll make the guys around him better,” Brown said.

Published on April 21, 2024 at 4:24 pm

Contact Justin: justingirshon@gmail.com | @JustinGirshon