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There was a buzzing energy surrounding Syracuse’s defense pregame at Acrisure Stadium.

As the Orange prepared for their third matchup versus a ranked opponent, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported pregame star linebacker Marlowe Wax would return for his first game since sustaining an injury in Week 1. Already entering the game fresh off three straight wins and a bye week, SU’s chances of making a statement win received a significant boost.

Syracuse’s (5-2, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) defense had one of its best performances this season in Wax’s return, allowing just 217 yards to No. 19 Pittsburgh (7-0, 3-0 ACC). However, because of quarterback Kyle McCord’s career-worst five interceptions, including three pick-sixes, SU’s defensive outing didn’t matter in its blowout 41-13 loss.

“So if you would’ve told me that if they had two touchdowns on the offensive side of the football and under 200 yards and still have 40-something points … that’s just how it goes sometimes,” SU head coach Fran Brown said postgame.

The Orange’s defense immediately set the tone. After Pitt elected to receive the opening kickoff, SU’s notched an immediate three and out. On the Panthers’ first two plays, Syracuse displayed a look resembling previous defensive coordinator Rocky Long’s 3-3-5 defense.

Leading into the game, safety Alijah Clark praised first-year defensive coordinator Elijah Robinson for adjusting his scheme to fit the team’s strengths rather than just implementing a new system. With the defense’s man in the middle back in the mix, Robinson showed trust in his players. And they delivered.

On the first play, the Panthers gave running back Desmond Reid — who entered the game second in the ACC in all-purpose yards — an inside handoff. He was instantly met by Duce Chestnut and Derek McDonald, gaining just two yards. Quarterback Eli Holstein tried hitting Konata Mumpfield on a post route on the ensuing play, but the ball was nearly picked off by Clark, leading to third-and-8.

After showing the 3-3-5 formation on the first two plays, Robinson dialed up a blitz pre-snap with five players at the line of scrimmage. When the ball was snapped, though, Justin Barron and Chestnut dropped back into zone coverage. Because Holstein didn’t have any receivers open, he tried running. But Barron instantly met him at the line of scrimmage to force a punt.

Despite starting the game flawlessly defensively, Syracuse’s offense was anything but that. Following two shaky throws, McCord threw the first of his three pick-sixes, giving the Panthers a 7-0 lead. Then, on SU’s next possession, McCord threw his second interception, giving Pitt possession on the Orange’s 44-yard line.

A nine-yard toss play to Reid, who was held to a season-low 47 all-purpose yards, instantly put the Panthers in field-goal range. Despite gaining a first down on the next play, Pittsburgh was forced to settle for a field goal after gaining just two yards on its next three plays.

“We (were) on defense first … they went three-and-out. We dropped the interception, then they had to punt. Then we went out and they scored and we went out, we stopped them again. It was just the game … the ball just didn’t go our way,” Brown said.

Even with how poorly the Orange’s offense had played across their first two drives, their defense kept them well within range of making a comeback. Trailing 10-0, Syracuse kept the ball in McCord’s hands. The quarterback’s woes continued, as he threw his third interception and second pick-six, giving the Panthers a 17-0 lead.

McCord’s three completions to Pitt defenders were two more completions than Holstein had to its skill position players throughout the opening quarter. Pittsburgh accumulated negative three passing yards and 19 rushing yards throughout the opening 15 minutes, yet it still led by three possessions.

Following SU’s first possession in which it didn’t throw an interception, this time turning the ball over on downs at the beginning of the second quarter, Pitt’s offense had its only legitimate drive of the game. The Panthers marched down the field, using the run game and a personal foul penalty, advancing them to Syracuse’s 20-yard line. Holstein then threw the first of his two touchdowns, extending Pitt’s lead to 24-0.

To close out the first half, the Orange’s defense forced consecutive punts, but their offense couldn’t trim into Pittsburgh’s deficit. Instead, a last-minute pick-six resulted in the Panthers taking a 31-0 lead into the locker room.

While its offense still couldn’t put anything together, finishing with a season-low 13 points, Syracuse’s defense carried over into the second half. Pitt’s only touchdown came after it picked McCord off for the fifth time, while its only other offensive points came courtesy of a 57-yard field goal by Ben Sauls — the longest field goal the Orange have surrendered this year.

But even with Syracuse’s defensive prowess, as its 217 yards allowed were the fewest it has surrendered in conference play, its performance didn’t matter. As the Orange enter November, continued defensive success combined with an offense resembling their previous performance will put them in a good spot to finish Brown’s first year as a success — even if that means not cracking the AP Top 25 Poll.

Published on October 27, 2024 at 5:14 pm

Contact Justin: justingirshon@gmail.com | @JustinGirshon