A major milestone was achieved in the ACC this season as Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord broke a long-standing passing record once held by Clemson legend Deshaun Watson. McCord’s impressive performance was a key factor in Syracuse’s unexpected role in the ACC Championship race, culminating in his remarkable season.
Clemson’s hopes of reaching the ACC title game seemed doomed after a crushing loss to Louisville, leaving the Tigers without a crucial tiebreaker. However, thanks to Syracuse’s surprise win over Miami, Clemson found themselves back in the hunt and eventually earned a spot in the College Football Playoff, a feat partially propelled by McCord’s explosive play.
In a defining moment for the Orange, McCord delivered a monster performance against Miami, amassing 380 passing yards and three touchdowns. His stellar season continued to unfold, and by the end of the year, McCord finished with 4,779 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, setting a new ACC single-season passing record.
This record-breaking achievement broke the previous mark of 4,593 yards set by Clemson’s Deshaun Watson in 2016, a season that saw Watson lead the Tigers to a national title. While Watson’s career in the NFL has been marred by struggles with the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns, McCord’s bright future is just beginning.
McCord’s exceptional season not only propelled Syracuse but also solidified his place in ACC history, rewriting the record books and leaving a powerful mark on the conference. As Watson continues to navigate his career in the NFL, McCord’s record-breaking performance serves as a reminder of the shifting tides in college football’s legendary QB rankings. The future is undoubtedly bright for McCord, and the ACC is now looking up to a new passing powerhouse.
