Syracuse, NY (Sports Network) - Dyshawn Davis had a 52-yard fumble recovery
for a touchdown, Brandon Sharpe registered four sacks, and the Syracuse
Orange snuck by the Pittsburgh Panthers, 14-13, Friday in their final Big
East matchup against one another at the Carrier Dome.
The game marks the final meeting of Syracuse (2-3, 1-0 Big East) and
Pittsburgh (2-3, 0-2) as Big East foes, as both teams are slated to move to
the ACC next year, where the rivalry will continue.
Although Syracuse gave up 346 yards of total offense in the game, the
Orange defense made enough big plays on the night to walk away with a
victory, despite their offense not scoring any points after the game's opening
drive. Syracuse gave up just 27 yards on the ground and forced the Panthers to
go away empty on two occasions when they had scoring opportunities.
The most critical was near the six minute mark in the fourth, with Pittsburgh
trailing by one and having moved the ball down to the Syracuse 17-yard line.
But on 1st-and-10, Sharpe sacked Pitt quarterback Tino Sunseri for a 15-
yard loss, and Brandon Reddish followed the next play with another sack for a
loss of nine.
After a 3rd-and-long pass from Sunseri fell incomplete, the Panthers were
forced to punt from the 41 yard line with 3:13 remaining, and Syracuse was
able to lock up the game with a couple first downs on its ensuing possession.
Orange quarterback Ryan Nassib was 19-of-30 for 185 yards through the air
-- with no touchdowns and an interception -- and also gained 22 yards on the
ground. Justin Smith had a team-high 61 rushing yards on 10 carries for
Syracuse.
Sunseri threw for 319 yards on 25-of-33 passing with no touchdowns and Ray
Graham carried the ball 24 times for 57 yards and a touchdown in defeat.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network