Syracuse 24-17 NC State (Oct. 12, 2024) Game Recap

RALEIGH, N.C. – Kyle McCord threw for 346 yards and two touchdowns as Syracuse defeated North Carolina State 24-17 on Saturday night.

McCord connected on 31 of 42 passes for the Orange (5-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), while LeQuint Allen complemented Syracuse’s offensive attack with 119 total yards of offense and one touchdown on 23 touchdowns. Jackson Meeks caught 11 passes for 116 yards and one of McCord’s scores.

“I’m just thankful we got off to a good start,” said first-year Syracuse coach Fran Brown. “I thought we gave up too many big plays, but we were able to complement each other… I’m just happy for Syracuse University right now.”

The Wolfpack (3-4, 0-3) was powered by true freshman quarterback CJ Bailey, who completed 17 of 24 throws for a season-high 329 yards and two touchdowns. Bailey also rushed for a team-high 28 yards.

With a 17-7 lead late in the third quarter, the momentum of the game shifted in Syracuse’s favor when Justin Barron Bailey intercepted and returned it 53 yards. That stopped an eight-play Wolfpack push nearing the red zone. Syracuse responded with an eight-play drive of its own that ended with McCord finding Meeks for a touchdown on a four-and-goal.

“We talk about it every week, the guys know it, the most important thing on the field is the ball,” Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren said. “There’s a reason they named the game after him. We don’t want the ball enough. We need to refocus on protecting football. That’s how you win games.”

NC State responded quickly and Bailey found Noah Rogers for a 75-yard catch-and-run touchdown, but Syracuse took more than six minutes on its next possession. The Wolf Pack cut the deficit with a field goal, but the Orange recovered cleanly from an onside kick attempt and took advantage of the remaining time.

THE TAKEAWAY

Syracuse: With McCord at the helm, the Orange won in Raleigh for the first time since 2013. He entered that game leading the nation in completions, and McCord has now passed for more than 300 yards in all six games this year, tying a single-season program record for Syracuse. The transfer from Ohio State has given the Orange a big boost under Brown.

NC State: The Wolfpack has now suffered two straight home losses for the first time since 2019. It was another game in which NC State — which was ranked 107th nationally in total offense entering Saturday — lost the turnover battle 3-0. This allowed the Orange to score on every crucial mistake they made. Syracuse had the ball for 13 minutes longer than NC State, meaning the Orange completed 31 more plays than the Wolfpack.

BIG GAME FOR BARRON

Barron’s opportunistic play on defense helped Syracuse win two straight road games for the first time since 2012. In addition to his interception – just the second of the fifth-year defensive back’s career – Barron also recovered a fumble in the second quarter.

“It’s exciting. We preached it all season, really focused on it and were able to win the ball,” Barron said. “It’s something you really see on film, just the way the ball carriers carry the ball. They wore it really loose.”

Barron led Syracuse with eight tackles, one of which was a crucial sack on Bailey on a third down in the fourth quarter.

NEXT

Syracuse: After a bye, the Orange play at No. 22 Pittsburgh on Oct. 24.

NC State: The Wolf Pack travels to the West Coast to face California on Saturday.

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