Syracuse Pittsburgh Recap

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 19^th.

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.