SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Kyle McCord threw for a career-high 354 yards and four touchdowns, Trebor Pena tallied three scores, and Syracuse rebounded from a sluggish start to down Ohio 38-22 Saturday as the Fran Brown era got off to a successful start.
The Bobcats dominated the heavily favored Orange in the first quarter, accumulating 109 yards of total offense to Syracuse’s nine, and held the ball for 13:51. But Syracuse, trailing 6-0 on two Gianni Spetic first-quarter field goals, came alive in the second quarter behind McCord, a transfer from Ohio State making his Syracuse debut.
McCord connected on a 28-yard scoring play down the left side to pre-season All-ACC pick Oronde Gadsden II, making his first start since a season-ending Lisfranc injury a year ago. With just five seconds to go in the half, McCord found Pena on a 20-yard strike, giving Syracuse a 17-9 lead at the half. The Orange lengthened their lead in the third on a one-handed 5-yard touchdown grab by LeQuint Allen and a 14-yard score to Pena.
The game marked the head coaching debut for Brown, a former defensive backs coach at Georgia, who was hired in December replacing Dino Babers.
McCord was 27-of-39 passing, hitting eight different receivers. Gadsden led the Orange with seven catches for 108 yards. Pena, who also rushed for a 1-yard score, had six.
Parker Navarro, making just his second start for the Bobcats, was 18-of-30 for 181 yards and one interception. Running back Anthony Tyus III, a Northwestern transfer, had 203 yards rushing on 16 carries and two scores. He totaled 238 yards in the entire 2023 season.
The Takeaway:
Despite returning just six starters, Ohio should be encouraged with how they could stay with Syracuse as well as with the play of the offensive line, encouraging signs for coach Tim Albin.
Syracuse must tighten up its rushing defense and will likely have to do it without star linebacker Marlowe Wax who was injured in the game.
Up Next:
Ohio: The Bobcats have their home season opener Saturday against South Alabama.
Syracuse: The Orange play its second in a four-game opening homestand Saturday against Georgia Tech, which upset Florida State in Dublin Aug. 24.
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