PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He came in with six interceptions in 282 passing attempts and top ranked in FBS in completions per game. Thursday night, three of Kyle McCord’s first six completions were to Pitt defenders as the Panthers improve to 7-0 with a 41-13 win over Syracuse.
After a three-and-out to start the game for Pitt, Syracuse at the ball at their own 33. Big-play linebacker Rasheem Biles steps in front of the ball and returns it down the right sideline for a 35-yard touchdown.
Next possession, third-and-10 from the 35-yard line, McCord’s pass in the middle tipped in the air and while laying on his stomach, Pitt defensive captain Brandon George catches the ball before it hits the ground. Panthers would add a field goal to make it 10-0.
Orange would get it again, move the ball to midfield and on 3rd and 12, McCord looked right for his tight end Oronde Gadsden, picked off by linebacker Kyle Louis, who weaves through the field of orange for a 59-yard touchdown and it’s 17-0 as Pitt had 16 yards of offense.
Another big play by the Panthers defense by forcing a fourth down incompletion set up Pitt at its own 35. Panthers would be helped by a Syracuse penalty and Panthers QB Eli Holstein would fire a third-down pass in the middle of the defense, caught by freshman Censere Lee with his back to the end zone, spun and cut right for a 20-yard score, 24-0 with 12:30 to play in the first half.
Related
Even when Syracuse tried to get something going before the end of the first half, McCord was picked again by a different Panthers linebacker, Braylan Lovelace grabs a forced pass over the middle and returns it 33-yards for a 31-0 lead at half.
Pitt held that lead after gaining just 83 total yards, converting one first down, the touchdown and completing five passes.
Orange would get in the end zone on a long drive to start the second half, but the group that refers to itself as the Sharks saw more blood in the water. This time it was a tip by linebacker Jordan Bass intercepted by Phillip O’Brien, the fifth interception, most by Pitt in a game since December 6, 2008 against UConn. That alleviated any concerns of even the most nervous Pitt fan. Especially after a 29-yard TD from Holstein to Poppy Williams to make it 38-6.
Senior kicker Ben Sauls would add a 57-yard field goal in the fourth quarter two weeks after kicking a 58-yard field goal at Acrisure Stadium against Cal.
Panthers did lose Holstein to an unknown injury after he was tackled hard on the sideline. He appeared to be trying to shake off the injury as he headed for the medical tent after initially staying in the game. He was there briefly before he walked on his own to the locker room.
Likely the toughest road challenge left this season is next Saturday for a first ACC matchup with SMU in Dallas at a yet to be announced time. The Mustangs are ranked 22nd in the AP poll and play at Duke Saturday night at 8p.