Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord entered Thursday night’s showdown as one of the most productive quarterbacks in the country, but the Pitt defense dominated the night in a 41-13 win that moved the No. 17 Panthers to 7-0 on the season.
It’s Pitt’s first 7-0 start since 1982 and keeps the Panthers right in the thick of the ACC title race with the likes of preseason favorites Miami and Clemson. The Panthers entered the week ranked in the top 10 in both total offense and scoring offense, but it was the defense that delivered three interceptions returned for touchdowns in the first half to put Thursday night’s game out of reach early.
On a historical note, Pitt is the only FBS team to return three interceptions for touchdowns in the first half of a game in the last 25 years, and the only other FBS team to score two defensive touchdowns in the first half of a game was also Pitt — in 2022 against Virginia.
McCord entered the game second only to Miami’s Cam Ward in passing yards per game and tied for fifth in the country with 19 passing touchdowns. He finished the night with 321 yards on 35 of 64 pass attempts, five interceptions and no touchdowns — undoubtedly his worst performance of the season. Pitt’s defense turned up the pressure early and the mistakes were often made under duress, as McCord’s mistakes compounded early to create a deficit the Panthers couldn’t overcome.
Coach Pat Narduzzi led the Panthers to an ACC Coastal Division title in 2018 and an ACC Championship in 2021. With this season off to a start that has far exceeded preseason expectations, Pitt is once again a conference title contender. Up next is a trip to play SMU on Nov. 2, and the remaining schedule also includes a visit from Clemson on Nov. 16.
Syracuse entered the evening still in the conference title mix as well with a 5-1 record overall and just one conference loss, but the mistake-laden showing in Pittsburgh knocks the Orange off the pace. Up next for McCord and Syracuse is a home game against Virginia Tech next Saturday, with a shot to reach bowl eligibility and land a blow against an old Big East rival.
