RALEIGH, N.C. — In a thrilling Saturday night matchup, Kyle McCord led Syracuse to a 24-17 victory over North Carolina State, showcasing his passing ability with a remarkable 346 yards and two touchdown throws. McCord showcased his skills by completing 31 of his 42 attempts, further solidifying his role as a key player for the Orange, who now hold a record of 5-1 with a 2-1 standing in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Alongside him, LeQuint Allen contributed significantly to the offense, amassing 119 yards and scoring a touchdown across 23 carries.
On the other side, North Carolina State’s offense was energized by freshman quarterback CJ Bailey, who had an impressive outing with 329 passing yards and two touchdowns after completing 17 of his 24 passes. Additionally, Bailey had a team-best 28 rushing yards, proving to be a dynamic force for the struggling Wolfpack, who currently have a 3-4 overall record and remain winless in conference play at 0-3.
The pivotal moment of the game came late in the third quarter when Syracuse managed to shift the momentum in their favor. Justin Barron made a critical interception of Bailey, returning it an impressive 53 yards. This interception came during a promising eight-play drive by the Wolfpack that was closing in on the red zone. Following this defensive play, Syracuse responded assertively with their own eight-play drive, capped off by McCord connecting with Jackson Meeks for a touchdown on a crucial fourth-and-goal situation.
Meeks had a standout performance, catching 11 passes for a total of 116 yards. N.C. State quickly retaliated with Bailey finding Noah Rogers for a spectacular 75-yard touchdown catch-and-run, reigniting hope for the home team. Nevertheless, Syracuse took control of the clock during their next possession, consuming over six minutes before N.C. State managed to score a field goal. Despite the Wolfpack’s efforts to reclaim momentum with an onside kick attempt, Syracuse successfully recovered and maintained possession until the final whistle.
In the aftermath, Syracuse celebrated a significant victory, marking their first win in Raleigh since 2013. McCord’s performance not only bolstered the team’s offensive strategy under first-year coach Fran Brown but also tied him with the school record for games achieving 300 or more passing yards in a season. Conversely, N.C. State faced the disappointing reality of consecutive home losses for the first time since 2019, a setback compounded by their struggles in total offensive output, as they ranked 107th nationally entering the matchup. The Wolfpack also faced a critical disadvantage in turnovers, ending the game with a 3-0 deficit that allowed Syracuse to capitalize on their mistakes.
Looking ahead, Syracuse will take a break before facing No. 22 Pittsburgh on October 24. Meanwhile, N.C. State is scheduled to head to California for their next game on Saturday, seeking to turn their season around.