Brown is Honest in Assessment of Loss
by Bo Marchionte
Published October 25, 2024, 12:21 AM
Pittsburgh, PA – Imagine dominating the game clock, marching up and down the field, only to glance up at the scoreboard and see… a big, fat first half 31-0 deficit staring back at you. That’s the heartbreak Syracuse fans faced!
“First off, I think Coach Narduzzi and his staff did an amazing job,” Syracuse head coach Fran Brown said after Syracuse was defeated 41-13 to drop to 5-2 as Pitt remains unbeaten. “They really beat us bad.”
Highly touted Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord had a horrific first half throwing four interceptions that led to three pick sixes in the first half. Syracuse had the ball for 20 minutes and 25 seconds—long enough to binge-watch almost a whole episode of your favorite show—while their opponent barely touched it for 9:35.
The Panthers defense dialed in on McCord and forced him into one ill-advised throw after next. If it wasn’t thrown into the arms of Pitt defenders, the ball fell yards before the feet of his attended target or sizzling past his receivers’ heads without an opportunity to make the play.
Whether it was turnovers, defensive mishaps, or simply a flurry of big plays, the scoreboard doesn’t lie. Sometimes, it’s not about how long you have the ball, it’s what you do with it!
The Orange ran 47 plays compared to Pitts’ 23 before the final whistle of the second quarter sounded and one of the most bizarre games, I’ve ever witnessed entered intermission.
“Heck of a defensive performance,” Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said postgame. “I mean, I don’t care how we win, offense, defense. We got great coordinators, got great coaches, got great players. It’s a tribute to just the overall coaching and playmakers.
“We talked about ‘start smart’ was our deal this week. We wanted to start smart. We knew kind of Syracuse was kind of like us as a football team. They won games and squeaked by some games and won ’em. We kind of thought they were very similar to what we were. Just talked about how we needed to start fast and be smart, just do all the details. Precision execution is kind of what our deal was. We certainly did that.”
McCord entered the game with an NFL Draft pulse and with 11 NFL credentialed teams applying for seats, those who turned up to view McCord up close had to leave disappointed for the Mt. Laurel, New Jersey native. He went 16 of 34 passing for 130 yards with an incredible five interceptions which resulted in 21 points.
“Stay focused,” Coach Brown said was the message to his quarterback. “Keep pushing all the way until the end. But he’s, our quarterback. He’s, our leader. That’s why we stuck with him”
Syracuse entered the third quarter on a mission to get on the board, unfortunately it takes less time ordering off Temu than their 18 plays 73-yard scoring drive that took 9:34 out of the third quarter. With an unsuccessful two-point conversion attempt left the Orange behind 31-6 with under six minutes left in the quarter.
Pittsburgh is one of nine teams ranked in the Top 25 that remain unbeaten (7-0) and have provided a blueprint of success over their last two games of winning with defense while Eli Holstein and the Panthers offense lay dormant.
“We knew we didn’t want what happened last year to happen again,” Brandon Lovelace the Panthers sophomore linebacker. “This was more like a statement game to the ACC, really everybody that we’re gonna keep shining every week.”
Early in the season Holstein was on the type of offensive assault that was on par with former Panthers quarterback and ACC Offensive Player of the Year Kenny Picket. That pace cooled off in the last two games, but the winning momentum was intact.
Holstein would add his second touchdown pass of the game to push the score to 37-6 in the final quarter and he would head to the sidelines with the victory secured. With an impressive 177.8 QB rating going 11-15 for 108 yards and two touchdowns, Holstein took advantage of his limited opportunities.
Pitt had five interceptions for the first time since 2008 against UConn, while Pitt kicker Ben Sauls launched a rocket from 57-yards out to place himself in Panther’s record books and Pitt ahead 41-6.
“You know, last week wasn’t just wow Pitt defense,” Lovelace said. “We’re trying to show that every week that this what the Pitt defense does.”
The last two games have been phenomenal for the Panthers who have combined for three defensive touchdowns, eight sacks and five interceptions. Their next to opponent SMU (22) and Clemon (9) are both ranked teams. The Panthers toughest competition await as they pursue perfection.
