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Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord threw four first-half interceptions (including three returned for touchdowns) on Thursday evening at No. 19 Pittsburgh.
The Ohio State transfer enjoyed a phenomenal six-game start this season, completing 65.6 of his passes for 2,160 yards and 19 touchdowns (six picks) en route to guiding Syracuse to a 5-1 record.
But the first half was nothing short of a nightmare, and McCord went on to finish the game 35-of-64 for 321 yards and five interceptions.
Syracuse first got the ball after forcing a three-and-out. However, McCord soon threw an interception to Rasheem Biles, who returned the ball 35 yards for the game-opening score.
Syracuse then found itself in quicksand as McCord threw another pick after an incredible interception from Brandon George, who caught a deflected ball while he was lying on his stomach.
The Orange defense held strong, only allowing 13 Pitt yards before Ben Sauls’ successful 49-yard field goal.
But then disaster struck again. Syracuse drove to midfield, but McCord chucked an interception to Kyle Louis, who returned it 59 yards for a touchdown.
With that, Syracuse was down 17-0 after one quarter despite Pitt having just negative-three passing yards at this point.
The Orange got going on their next drive but turned the ball over on downs. Then the Pitt offense, which didn’t need to do much of anything all game, drove 65 yards in seven plays, scoring a touchdown on a Eli Holstein 20-yard pass complete to Censere Lee.
The two teams then traded a pair of punts before Syracuse got the ball back. Then Braylan Lovelace joined the pick-six party, returning a McCord pass 33 yards for a touchdown and a 31-0 lead following the PAT.
The first half soon mercifully ended for Syracuse. Fans and analysts alike provided commentary after the performance.
Credit, of course, goes to a tremendous Pitt defensive effort as well. But McCord and the Orange certainly hope for better days beginning with a return home to face Virginia Tech on Nov. 2.
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