With their seasons moving in opposite directions, Pitt and Syracuse are poised to renew what has been a lopsided rivalry in recent years.
The Panthers aim for a third straight victory on Saturday, while the host Orange aims to avoid a third straight loss.
Pitt (4-2, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) opened October with a 48-7 blowout win over Boston College before posting a 34-31 road victory over then-No. 25 Florida State last week.
Panthers quarterback Mason Heintschel, a true freshman, threw two touchdown passes to Desmond Reid against the Seminoles and finished with 321 yards through the air.
“It’s everything you ever dreamed of, that’s for sure,” Heintschel said. “It’s a blessing and a dream come true for me, but it’s more about the team and winning games. That’s what it’s all about here.”
Pitt trailed by seven points at halftime and by three early in the fourth quarter before scoring on three straight possessions to take control. Coach Pat Narduzzi’s team is averaging 39.8 points per game, which ranks 15th nationally.
“We talk about the ups and downs of a game,” Narduzzi said. “They’re going to happen. They’re going to happen this weekend in Syracuse. There’s going to be good games and bad games. There’s going to be adversity. And it’s how you respond to that adversity that really matters.”
On the opposite sideline this weekend will be the Orange (3-3, 1-2), who lost to Duke, 38-3, and SMU, 31-18, before an open date last week. Syracuse remains committed to LSU transfer Rickie Collins, who has struggled as starting quarterback since taking over for Steve Angeli (torn Achilles).
“We’re just going to take it one day at a time and stay focused on the mission,” Syracuse coach Fran Brown said. “All their dreams, their goals, their aspirations for the season are still ahead of them. They just have to be able to achieve them.”
Pitt has won 17 of the last 20 meetings between the teams, including a 41-13 home win last season.
–Field level media
