Syracuse Stands Strong Against No. 23 Georgia Tech

© Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Kyle McCord and the Syracuse Orange set the tone early against the No. 23 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The Orange left the JMA Wireless Dome with a 31-28 victory and some well-earned respect in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Georgia Tech put together a late fourth-quarter rally but would ultimately fall short. 

McCord vs. King

Kyle McCord and Haynes King reminded everyone why the ACC is tagged as the conference of quarterbacks. Both were electric in the first half with McCord finding open targets for touchdowns three times. McCord was accurate and threw for 286 yards in the first half.

King was determined to keep pace with McCord and Syracuse. King was electric in the first half as well and found the end zone twice on the ground after some nifty moves to create space on both scoring plays. King threw the ball well but it was his legs that made the biggest impact in the first half.

Syracuse Second Half

The second half was all Syracuse despite the close final score. Defensive end Fadil Diggs and the Syracuse defense stood strong against all of Georgia Tech’s offensive advances.

The Orange defense held Georgia Tech’s dynamic running back Jamal Haynes to just 35 yards on 11 carries. McCord found his top target, Oronde Gadsden II, for a touchdown that would give Syracuse enough to secure a victory. Georgia Tech rallied late in the fourth and recovered an onside kick to make the game close but did not have enough to overcome the Syracuse passing attack.

Players of the Game

Syracuse—QB Kyle McCord: 32 of 46 passing for 381 yards and 4 TDs 

Georgia TechQB Haynes King: 29 of 39 passing for 266 yards 1 TD, 6 carries for 67 yards and 2 TDs

Looking Ahead

Syracuse (2-0, 1-0) will have a week of rest and then face Stanford on Sept. 20 in another tough ACC game. Syracuse is the better team on paper and will look to continue their growth and improved play to climb the ACC standings. Georgia Tech (2-1, 1-1) will certainly get back on track with Virginia Military Institute coming to Bobby Dodd Stadium on Sept. 14. The ACC championship is still in play for both teams.