The Pittsburgh Panthers fell 14-13 on the road to the Syracuse Orange in an ugly game Friday night. Pittsburgh is now 2-3 on the season, 0-2 in Big East play. Syracuse's two first quarter touchdowns were too much for a Pittsburgh offense that struggled all night, particularly in the fourth quarter when the Panthers had a chance to steal a victory.
Twice in the final quarter, Pittsburgh drove deep inside Syracuse territory only to emerge with no points. After reaching the Orange 29-yard line, a false start penalty and sack of quarterback Tino Sunseri led to a punt. As the game wound down, Pittsburgh advanced to the Syracuse 17-yard line, only to have a 15-yard intentional grounding penalty and sack of Sunseri knock the Panthers out of field goal range.
The 14-13 loss to Syracuse was, in a word, a joke. You thought Youngstown State and Cincinnati were bad? This was a whole 'nother level. Pitt had this game won if they wanted it. I mean if they really wanted it. After giving up an early touchdown on Syracuse's first drive, the defense settled down to pitch a shutout - the rest of the way. greg Maddux couldn't have done a finer job. So when it comes to sitting someone down in the corner, it's got to be the offense.
Pittsburgh hosts the undefeated and No.19-ranked Louisville Cardinals next Saturday at Heinz Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. ET.