Pittsburgh’s Defense Stifles Syracuse, Orange Remain Winless in
Conference
SYRACUSE,
NY- It was a slow start for both Pittsburgh
and Syracuse, but it was Pittsburgh’s defense that recorded nine sacks en route
to their fourth-straight victory.
The Panthers knocked off the Orange 27-20 inside the
Dome.
THE
GAME:
This one started slow. Four punts to start the game
before Pitt (5-2, 2-1 ACC) finally got their offense rolling. The Panthers
moved the ball down the field for 52-yards on seven plays and broke the tie
with a 47-yard field goal from Alex Kessman.
Syracuse (3-4, 0-3 ACC) got some momentum going
after Maurice Ffrench muffed a punt return and Cameron Jordan recovered it. A
sack and a penalty forced the Orange to kick a 28-yard field from Andre Szmyt
to tie the game with 3:07 left in the first quarter.
Ensuing Panthers possession, quarterback Kenny
Pickett threw a 43-yard touchdown strike to Aaron Mathews off a flea-flicker
trick play to put Pitt up 10-3 with 1:23 left in the first quarter.
To start the second quarter, Syracuse was driving
deep into Pittsburgh territory.
The Orange had first-and-goal from the four-yard
line, but could not find the end zone and settled for a Szmyt 20-yard field
goal.
Pittsburgh got the ball on Syracuse’s 39-yard line
after forcing a punt deep in Orange territory.
The Panthers took five plays to go 39-yards, capped
off by an A.J. Davis 5-yard touchdown rush putting Pittsburgh up 17-6 with 4:53
left in the first half.
Syracuse goes three-and-out and next Pittsburgh
possession, they score once more. Pickett connected with Ffrench from 14-yards
out with 23-seconds left on the clock in the second quarter.
That touchdown sent Pitt to halftime with the 24-6
lead.
TOMMY
DEVITO INJURED, INCOMES CLAYTON WELCH:
After both Syracuse and Pitt punted, Clayton Welch
came in for an injured Tommy Devito at the 12-minute mark in the third quarter.
Devito took a huge hit to his shoulder after he escaped the pocket and left the
game and did not return.
On third-and-eight, Welch dropped back and dropped a
dime to Taj Harris who shrugged off the cornerback and ran away from everyone
for a 94-yard touchdown reception.
Welch’s first career touchdown pass cut into the
Pittsburgh lead. Syracuse was down 24-13 with 11:12 left in the third quarter.
Fast forward to the fourth quarter after nothing
happened the rest of the third. Syracuse had a third-down and two-yards to go,
Welch was sacked and the 49-yard field goal attempt by Szmyt was hooked left.
Pitt added a 34-yard field goal with 7:03 remaining,
extending their lead by two touchdowns.
Welch led Syracuse on a 15-play, 75-yard touchdown
drive capped off by a Welch to Aaron Hackett four-yard reception. The touchdown
was Hackett’s fourth of the season.
Welch finished the game 8-for-20 with 176-yards and
two touchdowns. Welch also ran for 62-yards on ten rushes.
Pittsburgh still had the lead 27-20 with 2:44 left
in the game.
Syracuse could not stop Pittsburgh on a
third-and-two and the Panthers ran out the clock, securing the 27-20 victory.
HEAR
FROM DINO:
Head Coach Dino Babers expected to use Welch at some
capacity during the game, but he was not expecting to use him this much. After
Devito went out, Welch got to play the most football he ever has in an Orange
uniform and Babers could not be more proud.
“It was good to see him finally get out there as a
senior,” Babers said. “It might be his last time playing football.”
No team has given up more sacks this season than
Syracuse. After giving up nine sacks tonight, Syracuse’s season total climbs to
35.
Through seven games, Syracuse’s offensive line is
clearly exposed and coach Babers says it’s time for a reevaluation.
“Everyone’s job is in jeopardy,” said Babers. “It’s
not fair to keep playing the same guys if the results do not change. There are
certain guys in the game that are not doing good enough.”
This is the second game in a row that Devito has
exited with an injury. Devito finished his night 11-for-23 with 101 yards.
Devito also was sacked six times.
Coach Babers said Tommy wanted to go back out, but
Dino said enough is enough.
“You have done enough,” Babers said. “Those guys are
like my stepsons and that hit was enough for me. I did not need to see him go
through that again.”
WHAT’S
NEXT:
Now seven games into the season and Syracuse is 3-4.
The Orange have lost two-straight to ACC opponents and are still winless in the
conference. Syracuse now travels south to Tallahassee to face the Florida State
Seminoles.
The Seminoles (3-3, 2-2 ACC) play Wake Forest on
Saturday, October 19th.
For Syracuse, the clock is ticking. Five games
remain, they need to win three to become bowl eligible. Three of those five
remaining games are on the road.
Coach Babers would not say who he would start at
quarterback against Florida State. He said it is all about how guys heal. It is
a banged-up Syracuse squad. They have eight days to heal and prepare for
Florida State.
Kickoff at Doak Campbell Stadium is set for 3:30
p.m.
