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Across three seasons at Georgia, Jackson Meeks recorded only 10 receptions for 132 yards.

Used primarily as a special teams weapon, Meeks rarely saw action in the offense, often overshadowed by future NFL players like George Pickens, Ladd McConkey and Brock Bowers.

Still, as the defensive backs coach for the Bulldogs, Fran Brown had the vision of what Meeks could be with a bigger opportunity. Meeks followed Brown to Syracuse and found his role early on as a deep-threat receiver.

A 35-yard strike versus Ohio down the right sideline stirred the pot of his big-play ability. A four-catch, 32-yard showing in SU’s win over then-No. 23 Georgia Tech proved he could move the sticks when needed. A 13-yard touchdown catch against Stanford in the waning moments validated he had a knack for the big moments.

But Meeks’ performance Saturday was a culmination of all facets of his game. Against the Crusaders, Meeks totaled a career-high 10 receptions and 161 yards with a touchdown, helping Syracuse (3-1, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) to a dominant 42-14 win over Holy Cross (1-4, 0-0 Patriot League).

The senior wide receiver recorded five catches for 15 yards or more, all while matching his total across three seasons in three quarters and change.

“Honestly, every game you always envision yourself as having the best game in your career,” Meeks said postgame. “But this game, I was just in the right positions at the right time.”

From the start, Meeks was involved. Often perched at the outside right receiver position, he worked against sophomore cornerback Cam Jones.

Following two runs to open the game, SU was set up in a second-and-8 with three receivers wide and Meeks by himself on the right side. He sprinted down the right side, before cutting back and catching the ball, gaining nine yards for a first down. Meeks caught another pass on the drive before SU scored.

Leading 14-0 entering the second quarter, Meeks started it with a bang. Quarterback Kyle McCord dropped back from Holy Cross’s 38-yard line. Meeks was on an island again — this time with Eli Thompson — and used a stop and go move to create five yards of separation.

McCord dropped it in the bucket and Meeks galloped into the end zone for the score. Meeks didn’t record any touchdowns at Georgia but found the end zone once in each of SU’s last two games.

“I’m just happy that he’s getting the opportunities that he’s getting now. I think he’s taking full advantage of the passes that are being thrown to him,” Brown said postgame.

Meeks has seen increased opportunity thus far. He played just 21 snaps in the season opener but improved the total to 36 against GT and 35 versus Stanford.

Just before the half, Syracuse led by seven and looked to extend its lead, driving from its 46-yard line with 1:41 to play. McCord looked to Meeks streaking down the right sideline again, but the play was broken up with tight coverage. A few plays later, after a first down conversion on a catch from LeQuint Allen Jr., Meeks caught a pass for nine yards, coming just short of another first down.

On second-and-1 from the Crusaders’ 28-yard line, McCord dropped back again and fired down the right sideline to Meeks despite a cornerback draping him and a safety helping at the top. Meeks turned back to the ball, twisting his body in one motion to shield the defenders and collect the ball. A 24-yard catch resulted in a first-and-10 from the four-yard line, where McCord then found Trebor Peña for six. At the half, Meeks was at 91 receiving yards, already doubling his career high for a game.

“My mentality is always the same: attack, attack, attack. That’s how I’ve always been like since I was a kid,” Meeks said. “But it’s just building that confidence. If you don’t play with confidence in football, it’s going to show on the field.”

Meeks continued to shine in the third quarter. On the second drive of the second half, McCord looked to Meeks three times in a row. He moved the sticks twice, getting back-to-back 16-yard receptions. The first featured a comeback route where he left the defender in the dust. The next was a slant route across the middle of the field. Then, after getting up to celebrate and pointing forward to signal a first down, Meeks was found on a shorter comeback route, going for eight yards.

To cap off a career day, Meeks had one more catch downfield, showing off his strength and physicality in the air. Already leading by 14 and driving once again, McCord dropped back and looked right. It was Meeks versus Thompson again, and Meeks won the rep.

On the outside, Meeks twisted back left, turning his body 270 degrees before snaring the ball along the sideline. Another big catch, this time 30 yards to bring his total to 161 on the day at a 16.1 per reception clip.

SU scored on the drive and the damage was done as Meeks sat much of the fourth quarter. While McCord found seven different pass catchers, Meeks became routine. Other days it’s been Peña dominating. Oronde Gadsden II has made his mark. But Saturday was Meeks’ career day.

“He came here and really established himself as the leader of the receiver room,” McCord said of Meeks. “He knows the playbook very well. He has a really good feel for the game. And then, like you saw today, when the ball is in the air, and it’s 50/50, he’s going to come down with it. So that just gives me a lot of confidence. And I think you can see that continue to grow every single week.”

Published on September 28, 2024 at 6:37 pm

Contact Aiden at: amstepan@syr.edu | @AidenStepansky