Tag: Syracuse

Dec 27, 2024; San Diego, CA, USA; Syracuse Orange running back LeQuint Allen (1) runs the ball against Washington State Cougars linebacker Parker McKenna (46) during the second quarter at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Abe Arredondo-Imagn Images

Kyle McCord’s 5 TDs power Syracuse’s rout of Wazzu in Holiday Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kyle McCord threw for 453 yards and five touchdowns as No. 21 Syracuse authored an offensive masterpiece in a 52-35 win over Washington State in the Holiday Bowl on Friday in San Diego.

As part of his stellar performance, McCord set the Atlantic Coast Conference single-season record for passing yards (4,779) in his first year at Syracuse. The old mark of 4,593 was set by Clemson’s Deshaun Watson in 2016.

On Friday, McCord threw two touchdown passes apiece to Trebor Pena and Oronde Gadsden II.

LeQuint Allen also caught a TD pass to go along with 120 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground for the Orange (10-3), who finished with 606 yards of offense.

Zevi Eckhaus passed for 363 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions while adding a rushing score for Washington State (8-5).

Kyle Williams had 172 receiving yards and a score on 10 catches to pace the Cougars, who fought valiantly after a tumultuous month in which coach Jake Dickert bolted for Wake Forest and more than 30 players entered the transfer portal, including Oklahoma-bound starting quarterback John Mateer.

The Cougars trailed 35-21 at halftime before slicing their deficit in half on Eckhaus’ 42-yard TD pass to Carlos Hernandez. However, the Orange scored the next 17 points to win comfortably.

Late in the third quarter, McCord connected with Pena, who took a short pass and ran down the left sideline for a 45-yard score to make it 42-28. Allen increased the margin to 52-28 late in the fourth with a 33-yard catch-and-run touchdown.

Eckhaus gave Washington State an early 7-0 lead with a 4-yard TD scramble, but the Orange answered with touchdowns on their next two possessions. First, McCord hit Pena for a 19-yard TD on a back-shoulder throw, and then Allen found some room en route to a 12-yard scoring run.

Syracuse’s momentum didn’t last long, however. On the Cougars’ third play of the ensuing drive, Williams took a slant pass and split the defense for a 66-yard touchdown. Shortly thereafter, Leon Neal Jr. blocked a Syracuse punt and Josh Meredith recovered for a 12-yard score, putting Washington State ahead 21-14 after one quarter.

The second quarter was action-packed, as well — at least for the Syracuse offense. The Orange outscored the Cougars 21-0 in the period, highlighted by two touchdown passes from McCord to Gadsden.

In all, Syracuse racked up 364 yards in the first half en route to a 14-point lead at the break.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Kyle McCord (6) drops back to pass against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Stability for No. 21 Syracuse, new faces for WSU in Holiday Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

When No. 21 Syracuse faces Washington State in the Holiday Bowl on Friday in San Diego, the matchup presents itself, in many ways, as stability vs. chaos.

The Orange (9-3) have won their last three games, including a 42-38 upset of Miami in the regular-season finale, to enter the postseason with considerable momentum. More importantly, Syracuse has a head coach/quarterback combo that it can count on, as first-year coach Fran Brown has turned around the program, thanks in large part to standout signal-caller Kyle McCord.

Meanwhile, the Cougars (8-4) are dealing with the opposite situation — and their three-game losing streak to end the regular season is the least of their concerns.

Cougars coach Jake Dickert recently bolted for Wake Forest, while quarterback John Mateer announced that he is transferring to Oklahoma. More than 25 Washington State players have reportedly entered the transfer portal, which has turned Syracuse from a slight favorite in this game to a two-touchdown favorite at some sportsbooks.

As for Syracuse, Brown has his sights set on double-digit victories in his first year at the helm. The program has only won 10 games in a season once over the last two decades.

“(We’re) just trying to get to 10 wins,” said McCord, who finished 10th in the Heisman Trophy balloting after throwing for a national-best 4,326 yards and 29 touchdowns. “I think that would be a huge accomplishment for us and the team. I’m excited for it.”

Not only has McCord decided to play in the bowl game, but he is reportedly challenging the NCAA for an additional year of eligibility.

“We don’t opt out around here. We love football,” Brown said.

Meanwhile, Washington State is scrambling under acting head coach Pete Kaligis and new No. 1 quarterback Zevi Eckhaus.

A senior who has thrown only seven passes this season, Eckhaus will be making his first start for the Cougars. And he has enormous shoes to fill, as Mateer threw for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns and ran for a team-high 826 yards and 15 more scores.

“My message to (the players) was, ‘I know who we are. We’re going to play this game, and I’m going to give you everything that I have in the next nine days, that when you look back in 10 years, you’ll go, ‘Wow, that was a very special time and I didn’t even realize it,” Kaligis said. “I just love them so much. I want them to have everything. I want them to have everything in the next eight days.”

Washington State has lost its last three bowl appearances and has not won a postseason contest since the Alamo Bowl at the end of the 2018 season.

Finally, a commonality between the two programs, as Syracuse also is looking for its first bowl win since the conclusion of the 2018 season, as that victory in the Camping World Bowl has been followed by bowl losses in each of the last two years.

“I think (a win in the Holiday Bowl) would put us on the right track (in future years) to be able to reach our ultimate goal,” Brown said, “which is to get to the college playoffs, which is to win the conference championship and then win a national championship. That was the goal the entire time.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Syracuse, New York, USA; Miami Hurricanes linebacker Wesley Bissainthe (31) breaks up a pass intended for Syracuse Orange running back LeQuint Allen (1) during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

No. 6 Miami loses out on ACC title berth, falls at Syracuse

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Kyle McCord passed for 380 yards and three touchdowns as the host Syracuse Orange rallied to upset the sixth-ranked Miami Hurricanes 42-38 in an ACC game on Saturday.

Syracuse trailed 21-0 but took its first lead, 35-28, in the third quarter on a 56-yard fumble recovery by Devin Grant. The Orange never trailed again.

A win would’ve put Miami in the ACC title game next Saturday against SMU. Instead, Miami (10-2, 6-2) ended its regular season with two upset losses in its final three games.

Syracuse (9-3, 5-3) got two touchdown receptions from Jackson Meeks (seven catches, 110 yards). Teammate Trebor Pena caught six passes for 128 yards and one TD.

Cam Ward led Miami, passing for 349 yards and two TDs. He leads the nation with 36 TD passes, and he also went over 4,000 passing yards for the season.

McCord, who leads the nation in passing yards, also went over 4,000 yards for the season.

Hurricanes wide receiver Xavier Restrepo caught nine passes for 148 yards and one touchdown. He went over 1,000 receiving yards for the second straight season, but his fumble led to Grant’s TD.

After Miami’s 21-0 lead, Syracuse rallied to cut its deficit to 21-14 by halftime.

On those two Orange TDs, LeQuint Allen ran eight yards, and Meeks won a 9-yard jump-ball battle against cornerback Daryl Porter Jr., who ended up on the turf.

Syracuse took the second-half kickoff and scored in three plays. McCord hit Pena with a 50-yarder and then a 25-yard touchdown, tying the score, 21-21.

Miami responded with a 75-yard TD march, capped by Mark Fletcher Jr.’s 2-yard run.

Syracuse tied the score on another 9-yard TD pass to Meeks — this time on a slant — and the Orange were driving again when Miami’s Bobby Pruitt forced and recovered a fumble. Yasin Willis was the Syracuse running back who got stripped at the Miami 17.

But Restrepo fumbled, and Grant’s return changed momentum.

Miami tied the score on Damien Martinez’s 2-yard run with 13:02 left. That was set up by a 40-yard completion to Restrepo.

Syracuse went back on top, 42-35, on Allen’s 3-yard run with 9:16 left.

With less than four minutes remaining, Miami faced a fourth-and-goal at the 10. Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal — instead of going for the touchdown — opted for a field goal. Miami closed its deficit to 42-38 on Andres Borregales’ 27-yard field goal, but the Hurricanes never got the ball back.

–Field Level Media

Nov 9, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) throws a pass against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the third quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Quarterbacks in spotlight when No. 6 Miami visits Syracuse

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It didn’t take Syracuse first-year coach Fran Brown long to figure out the key matchup for Saturday afternoon’s Atlantic Coast Conference game visiting Miami.

“Syracuse has a really good quarterback,” Brown said of Kyle McCord, “and Miami has a really good quarterback (Cam Ward).”

With a win on Saturday, the No. 6 Hurricanes (10-1, 6-1 ACC) can clinch a berth in the league championship game against SMU.

Miami is a 10 1/2-point favorite for Saturday’s game.

Syracuse (8-3, 4-3) has reached eight wins for just the fourth time since 2002, going 8-5 in 2010 and 2012 and 10-3 in 2018. However, the Orange haven’t defeated a Top-10 team since knocking off Clemson in 2017.

Miami leads the nation in scoring (44.7), and the Hurricanes will count on perfect passing conditions in Syracuse’s dome.

That could be huge for Ward, who leads the nation with 34 touchdown passes, ranking second in passing yards (3,774) and fourth in passing efficiency.

Ward’s top target is wide receiver Xavier Restrepo, who needs just 21 yards to reach 1,000 for the second straight season.

Restrepo also ranks tied for seventh in the nation with 10 TD receptions.

Ward has some other top targets, including 6-foot-4, 245-pound tight end Elijah Arroyo, who is a walking mismatch because of his size and speed. He leads Miami with 18.5 yards per reception.

Hurricanes wide receivers Isaiah Horton and Jacolby George have combined for 12 TD passes, and Sam Brown has added two more. Each of them has more than 500 receiving yards this season.

Miami’s running game features battering ram Damien Martinez (739 yards, 5.5 average, eight TDs); versatile Mark Fletcher Jr. (499 yards, 5.7 average, six TDs); and game-breaking freshman Jordan Lyle (361 yards, 8.6 average, four TDs).

Defensively, Miami’s big-play man is safety Mishael Powell, who ranks second in the ACC with five interceptions.

“He’s all about winning,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said of Powell. “He’s a smart, self-starting team player.”

On special teams, Miami kicker Andres Borregales ranks second in the ACC with 97 points. He is 52-for-52 on extra points and 15-for-16 on field goals.

Meanwhile, McCord ranks No. 1 in the nation in passing yards (3,946) and tied for seventh in TD passes (26). McCord, a transfer from Ohio State, has also set Syracuse’s single-season record for passing yards.

In last week’s 31-24 win over Connecticut, McCord passed for a career-high 470 yards. However, McCord is just 46th in the nation in passing efficiency, due in part to his high total of interceptions (12).

Syracuse also has three of the top six pass-catchers in the ACC in terms of yards: tight end Oronde Gadsden II (810) and wide receivers Jackson Meeks (801) and Trebor Pena (743).

Gadsden, who is from the greater Miami area, has had three straight 100-yard games. He is the son of former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Oronde Gadsden.

Syracuse’s run game is led by LeQuint Allen, who has rushed for 819 yards, a 4.3 average and 12 TDs.

The issue for Syracuse could be its defense, which ranks 13th in the ACC in points allowed (27.8).

Miami’s defense is fourth (22.3).

Even so, Syracuse coach Brown said he’s excited about this matchup.

“I heard Miami is going to come deep,” Brown said of Miami fans. “It’s going to be intense in the stands. It’s going to be intense on the field. I think this is a game everyone wants to see.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Kyle McCord (6) runs out of the pocket in the first quarter against the Connecticut Huskies at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Kyle McCord airs it out as Syracuse soars past UConn

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Kyle McCord threw for 470 yards and accounted for three touchdowns as Syracuse topped visiting UCon 31-24 on Saturday afternoon.

A graduate transfer from Ohio State, McCord broke the Syracuse record for passing yards in a season (3,946) and tied the Orange’s single-season record for touchdown passes (26). He also nearly topped the school mark for passing yards in a game, thanks in large part to Oronde Gadsden II, who had 11 catches for 103 yards with a touchdown and Darrell Gill Jr., who had nine catches for 177 yards.

The Huskies (7-4) saw their three-game win streak end despite Joe Fagnano’s two touchdown passes and a long rushing score from Cam Edwards. Fagnano threw for 228 yards, while Skyler Bell had 10 receptions for 113 yards.

Syracuse (8-3) held a 24-17 lead entering the fourth quarter before McCord orchestrated a drive that he punctuated with a 1-yard keeper. The Orange forced a turnover on downs on the next Huskies possession, but UConn eventually got into the end zone with 1:29 remaining – on a 2-yard pass from Fagnano to TJ Sheffield – to get within 31-24.

Syracuse recovered the onside kick to seal the win.

The Orange wasted no time getting in sync offensively, as McCord found Gill for 53 yards on the first play of the game and then hooked up with Gadsden for a 22-yard TD on the ensuing snap.

The Orange missed a 36-yard field goal on their next trip – and it proved costly as the Huskies promptly tied the game at 7-7 on Edwards’ 71-yard TD sprint on fourth-and-1.

Syracuse answered right back as McCord guided a 12-play, 71-yard drive that he capped with a 5-yard TD pass to Trebor Pena.

Later in the half, Syracuse unleashed a 14-play, 68-yard drive to extend the lead to 21-7. LeQuint Allen plunged in from 1 yard out for the score.

Following a touchdown pass from Fagnano to Louis Hansen, the Orange had a chance to extend their lead at halftime, but Kennedy missed from 52 yards out.

The teams exchanged field goals in the third quarter, leaving Syracuse ahead by a touchdown entering the fourth.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Kyle McCord (6) throws a pass against the California Golden Bears during the second quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Back on track, Kyle McCord looks to lead Syracuse past UConn

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Less than a month ago, Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord threw five interceptions in a lopsided loss to Pittsburgh.

McCord and the Orange appear to be back on track but will face a stiff test Saturday when Connecticut visits for a nonconference clash.

In the Oct. 24 defeat to Pitt, McCord threw three pick-sixes in the first half alone. He did not pass for a touchdown against the Panthers, but since he has thrown five TDs and only one INT while the Orange (7-3) are 2-1 over their last three outings.

“I’m biased, but Kyle McCord’s a top-five quarterback in the country,” Syracuse coach Fran Brown said. “He don’t get beat up about it, he don’t complain about it, he’s just, ‘It is what it is, let’s move on to the next thing.’ Without him, our program wouldn’t be where it’s at right now.”

McCord passed for 323 yards and a touchdown Saturday at Cal, helping the Orange earn a 33-25 victory. LeQuint Allen ran for 109 yards and two TDs for Syracuse, while the Orange defense grabbed a pair of interceptions en route to a 27-7 halftime lead.

“I’m proud that they came together and played as a full team (in the) last game — complementary football,” Brown said.

The Huskies (7-3) are coming off a solid game as well, as they rallied with 21 fourth-quarter points to knock off UAB 31-23. Cam Edwards’ 48-yard TD run with 2:39 left proved to be the decisive score as UConn won for the sixth time in seven games.

However, the Huskies had a bye last weekend, so UConn coach Jim Mora Jr. doesn’t expect to receive a ton of momentum from the win over the Blazers.

“That game’s 12 days ago, so that’s way out of our minds,” Mora said Tuesday. “But they’re confident because they practiced well today. That’s how we try to look at it. … That’s where we’re at.”

The former Big East Conference rivals have met 12 times over the years. Most recently, Syracuse posted a 48-14 road win over UConn on Sept. 10, 2022.

–Field Level Media

Nov 9, 2024; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Kyle McCord (6) throws against the Boston College Eagles during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Rising Cal plots to slow Syracuse, Kyle McCord

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Things are starting to look up for Cal, which aims for its third straight win Saturday when Syracuse pays a visit to Berkeley, Calif.

The Golden Bears (5-4, 1-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) have won two games in a row after dropping their previous four contests. They notched their largest margin of victory in 2024 when they trounced Oregon State 44-7 on Oct. 26. Then after a bye week, they earned their first ACC victory by topping Wake Forest 46-36 on Nov. 8 in Winston-Salem, N.C.

“We found a way to win,” Bears coach Justin Wilcox said after his team racked up 500 yards of offense against the Demon Deacons.

Cal’s offensive production revolved around Fernando Mendoza, who threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. He set career highs for passing yards (385) and rushing yards (51), helping his team overcome a quiet day on the ground.

“The quarterback run game was a big element last week, especially late in the second half,” Wilcox said. “I should say that was noticeable. But we want to be able to (run the ball) because if we run the ball better, those stats are going to be even better.”

Mikey Matthews led the Cal receivers with eight catches for 83 yards and a score — his first of the season — and noted afterward that there has been good energy surrounding the team.

“The vibes, the last few weeks, have been up,” Matthews said. “The guys are staying positive.”

Syracuse (6-3, 3-3) could be facing a morale challenge after losing two of its past three games — and even the one win in that stretch (38-31 over Virginia Tech) required a major second-half rally and overtime. The Orange absorbed a 37-31 loss at Boston College last weekend despite getting 392 passing yards and two touchdowns from Kyle McCord.

“We’re just gonna keep pushing and keep playing,” first-year coach Fran Brown said.

Brown hopes that mantra resonates with his team early and often on Saturday. The Orange have not scored a first-quarter point in their past three games and have been blanked in the first quarter in five of their nine contests.

“It’s kind of been a theme all year,” McCord said. “I feel like we either start really fast or we start really slow.”

McCord certainly will keep a close eye on Cal cornerback Nohl Williams, who leads the nation with seven interceptions, including one against Wake Forest. The Bears have recorded at least one turnover in 11 straight games (and 44 of their past 47 contests).

Of course, McCord is no slouch. He has thrown for at least 300 yards in eight of the nine games and is averaging 350.3 yards — tops in the nation — with 23 passing TDs, fifth in the country.

“They’ve done a real good job,” Brown said of the Syracuse offense. “They’ve been able to carry our football team.”

Regarding how Cal will approach slowing the Orange, Wilcox said, “We have to pick and choose when to pressure, but it’s going to be a team effort. It’ll take everybody involved this week.”

The Orange and Bears have met only twice — a Syracuse home win in 1967 and a Cal home win in 1968.

–Field Level Media

Oct 5, 2024; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Boston College Eagles head coach Bill O'Brien looks on during the second quarter against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Close margins the norm as BC, Syracuse brace for another close one

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Two new Atlantic Coast Conference coaches go head-to-head for the first time Saturday when Bill O’Brien’s Boston College team hosts Fran Brown and century-old rival Syracuse at Chestnut Hill, Mass.

The teams enter their 58th all-time meeting as the Eagles (4-4, 1-3 ACC) have lost three straight and the Orange (6-2, 3-2) came back to beat Virginia Tech in overtime last Saturday for their fourth win in five games.

“I’ve been involved with a lot of rivalries, and this is one of those types of games,” O’Brien said. “It’s just two tough teams going against each other.”

Two of Boston College’s four losses and its last two wins have come in one-possession games. Syracuse has played in five such close encounters this season, winning two in overtime.

With three of the teams’ last four meetings decided by a single-digit margin, another close one is expected.

In a 31-27 loss to Louisville on Oct. 25, Thomas Castellanos threw three touchdowns. Three forced turnovers — including Quintayvious Hutchins’ fumble recovery and interception — helped the Eagles build 20-0 and 27-10 leads. But the Cardinals scored 14 fourth-quarter points.

O’Brien’s message has been simple following a second bye week.

“Attack,” he said. “These guys are in a great frame of mind. … We’re close. I realize close doesn’t count, but we’re making progress. I think these guys put a lot into (practice), so we want to … play as hard as we can and see what happens on Saturday.”

Four of the Eagles’ eight total interceptions came last season in a 17-10 win at Syracuse on Nov. 3, 2023. They have already grabbed 11 this season.

The Orange orchestrated an 18-point comeback last week, with Lequint Allen rushing for three touchdowns — including the tying and winning scores — after Kyle McCord threw for two to Justus Ross-Simmons in the second half as part of a 264-yard performance.

McCord bounced back from throwing five picks against Pitt to lift Syracuse to the comeback win and, for the third straight season, bowl eligibility.

The senior Ohio State transfer, who threw for 300 yards in a school-record seven straight starts, leads the FBS in completions per game (30.5).

“He just stays the same (every day),” Brown said. “He just focuses on his family and who’s in the building. At the end of the day, that’s who’s gonna be there with you through the ups and the downs. … He’s our leader.”

Despite playing in a pass-heavy offense, Allen became just the third ACC running back to rush for at least three touchdowns in a game this season. He has nine career 100-yard games.

–Field Level Media

Oct 17, 2024; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) throws a touchdown during the second quarter against the Boston College Eagles at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Virginia Tech on rise ahead of visit to Syracuse

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Kyron Drones and Virginia Tech are playing their best football of the season.

The same cannot be said for Kyle McCord and Syracuse.

The Hokies and Drones pay a visit to the Orange on Saturday, when McCord will hope to get back on track in an intriguing Atlantic Coast Conference matchup.

The Hokies (5-3, 3-1 ACC) ended September with close losses to Rutgers and then-No. 7 Miami, but October was a different story. Virginia Tech defeated Stanford, Boston College and Georgia Tech — all by at least 15 points — while allowing a total of 34 points.

Drones was the standout last week in a 21-6 triumph over the Yellow Jackets. He threw a touchdown pass, rushed for a score and caught a TD pass while accounting for 132 yards from scrimmage.

“I’m willing to do any and everything for this team,” Drones said. “We played a hell of a game. The defense played a hell of a game. The offense, we’ve got things to work on, but a win is a win.”

Meanwhile, Syracuse (5-2, 2-2) appeared to have some momentum of its own following three straight victories. However, it all came crumbling down on Oct. 24 against then-No. 19 Pitt.

McCord threw five interceptions — including three that were returned for touchdowns — in a humbling 41-13 defeat.

“He’s our quarterback. He’s our leader. And that’s why we stuck with him and we’re going to continue to stick with him,” Orange coach Fran Brown said. “I mean, he just had one bad game, so it’s part of football. … I think you’ll be able to see the kind of fighter he is as he keeps going from here on out.”

Syracuse could lean more heavily on LeQuint Allen, who has a team-high 481 rushing yards but was limited to 32 yards on 15 attempts against the Panthers.

“We’re gonna play ball,” Brown said of the matchup with Virginia Tech. “We don’t want the same thing to happen again. We think our quarterback is really good, but it was just an off night for the entire program.”

Virginia Tech rolled to a 38-10 home victory over Syracuse last season. The Hokies outgained the Orange 528-137 in total yards and held Syracuse without a third-down conversion all game.

–Field Level Media

Oct 24, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Rasheem Biles (31) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Syracuse Orange during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

No. 19 Pitt uses 5 INTs to smother Syracuse, stay perfect

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Rasheem Biles, Kyle Louis and Braylan Lovelace each returned an interception for a touchdown during a wild first half as No. 19 Pittsburgh cruised past visiting Syracuse 41-13 on Thursday.

Eli Holstein completed 11 of 15 passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns for the Panthers (7-0, 3-0 ACC), who have won their first seven games for the first time since 1982. Pitt won despite managing just 217 total yards, going 2 of 9 on third downs and possessing the ball for less than 19 minutes.

Syracuse’s Kyle McCord threw five interceptions — including four in the first half — and finished 35 of 64 for 321 yards. At one point, McCord had three completions and three interceptions, and things did not get much better thereafter as the Orange (5-2, 2-2) saw their three-game winning streak come to a halt.

On Syracuse’s first possession, McCord’s pass was intercepted by Biles, who stepped in front of an out route and ran 35 yards uncontested to the end zone.

A couple of minutes later, McCord had another pass intercepted — this time by Brandon George on a fortuitous play. McCord’s pass was deflected up in the air multiple times before George, who was lying on his stomach, snagged the ball just before it hit the turf.

That turnover led to a 49-yard field goal by Ben Sauls.

The next Orange possession resulted in another pick-6, as Louis stepped in front of McCord’s pass and weaved through Syracuse players en route to a 59-yard TD return.

Pitt’s first offensive touchdown came early in the second quarter, when Holstein found Censere Lee over the middle for a 20-yard score.

The cherry on top of the first-half uprising came with 1:12 left, when Lovelace grabbed a deflected screen pass and rumbled 33 yards to the end zone.

The Panthers’ fifth interception — a snag by Phillip O’Brien Jr. near the end of the third quarter — set up another touchdown for the hosts. Three plays later, Holstein found Raphael Williams Jr. over the middle for a 29-yard score.

Syracuse found the end zone twice in the second half, on a 1-yard QB sneak by McCord and a 2-yard TD rush by Dan Villari.

–Field Level Media