There are those who thought Washington State didn’t have a prayer against No. 21 Syracuse coming into Friday night’s DirecTV Holiday Bowl. So Washington State acting head coach Pete Kaligis provided one on the eve of the 45th annual game.

No. 21 Syracuse and Washington State will finish their 2024 seasons in beautiful San Diego, California, home of the Holiday Bowl. It's a solid matchup of two teams who exceeded expectations this season.

Kyle McCord threw for 453 yards and five touchdowns to break Deshaun Watson’s Atlantic Coast Conference season passing record and lead No. 22 Syracuse to a 52-35 victory over depleted-yet-scrappy Washington State in the Holiday Bowl on Friday night.