HomeSPORTSyracuse football and Washington State enter Holiday Bowl under opposite circumstances

Syracuse football and Washington State enter Holiday Bowl under opposite circumstances


In its first season under head coach Fran Brown, No. 21 Syracuse Football (9-3, 5-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) earned the right to play beyond its regular season schedule. The Orange do battle with Washington State (8-4) in the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl on Friday at 8 p.m.

Bowl season can be pretty unpredictable in today’s college football atmosphere. Fans may not see their favorite players suit up for their squads due to early transfer portal entry or NFL Draft preparation. Coaches may even abandon their role on the sideline before their team plays in its bowl. Syracuse and Washington State represent opposite ends of this dynamic.

Fran Brown opened a window into his thoughts regarding players opting out of playing in bowl games when asked if any of his players had.

“We don’t opt out around here man, we play football. We like the game. We get to play football. The more football you play, the more the NFL watches.”

Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord (6, White) unloads a pass against UNLV.

Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord (6, White) unloads a pass against UNLV.

After beating No. 6 Miami on Nov. 30, Kyle McCord was the first SU quarterback to start and finish every game of a regular season since Ryan Nassib in 2012. Coach Brown had no concerns about whether or not McCord’s dependability would continue into the postseason.

“He’s been playing football his whole life, so whenever there’s a game, that’s what he wants to do. He wants to be in that game.”

McCord has since announced that he will suit up in the Holiday Bowl. The senior needs 267 yards to break Deshaun Watson’s single-season ACC passing record (4,593 yards).

While Syracuse is dancing with who brought them, Washington State has been forced to find a few new partners. Former Cougars head coach Jake Dickert bolted for Wake Forest, and quarterback John Mateer transferred to Oklahoma. Dickert led WSU to its best record since 2018, and Mateer notched 44 total touchdowns this season. The pair is being replaced by Pete Kaligis on the sideline and Zevi Eckhaus under center. Kaligis has never been a college head coach, and Eckhaus has played in just two games.

Over 30 players have entered the transfer portal for WSU, and the losses have turned ‘Cuse into a heavy favorite. The Cougars acting head man however doesn’t seem fazed. Kaligis outlined the message that he is sending to his team approaching its matchup with Syracuse.

“I’m not using the underdog mentality. It’s everything that these young men have done. It’s a foundation that’s been built. I know coach Dickert is gone, but the foundation he built for three years is a rock they still stand upon.”

Syracuse and Washington State kickoff the Holiday bowl at 8 p.m. on Friday at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California. WAER’s coverage on 88.3 FM or waer.org begins at 7 p.m. with Countdown to Kickoff.



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