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Pitt remains undefeated in Big East with 37-10 thumping of visiting Syracuse
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Dion Lewis runs against Syracuse
Pitt (8-1, 5-0) remained atop the Big East Conference by blowing away Syracuse (3-6, 0-4) 37-10 at Heinz Field in front of 46,885 on Saturday afternoon. The Panthers were tied 3-3 and only led 13-3 at the break but took command in the second half and put the game out of reach.
"I knew this was going to be a challenge for us," Pitt head coach Dave Wannstedt said. "I thought we had a great week of preparation and was very pleased with how the kids responded after a bye week."
Pitt running back Dion Lewis continued his dominance by running for 111 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries including a 32-yard run.
"Our offensive line did a great job," Lewis said. "They just keep pounding and blocking guys and I just stay patient and let the game come to me."
Safety Jarred Holley broke into the starting lineup replacing the injured Elijah Fields and responded by leading the team in tackles with nine.
"I think we came ready to play today," Holley said. "We did a good job preparing for the game and I thought our entire defense played great."
The Orange struck first after capping a 59-yard drive with a Rob Lichtenstein 29-yard field goal. They would not score again until the final minute of the game.
"The Syracuse players played hard," Wannstedt said. "We knew they would."
The Panthers tied the game midway through the first quarter with a 19-yard Dan Hutchins field goal and took a 6-3 lead with another Hutchins field goal, this time a 45-yarder, five minutes into the second quarter.
Greg Williams plucked a tipped pass out of the air and returned the interception 51 yards for a touchdown to give the Panthers a 13-3 lead which they took into the break.
Pitt kept up the momentum in the third quarter as Lewis scored a 1-yard touchdown and Bill Stull hit Dorin Dickerson on a 14-yard touchdown strike to extend the Panthers' lead to 27-3.
Hutchins booted another field goal early in the fourth quarter (33-yards) to give Pitt a 30-3 lead. With 5:47 left in the game, Stull hit Cedric McGee on a 29 yard score. It was McGee's first career touchdown at Pitt and it padded the Panthers' lead at 37-3.
"I didn't realize Ced [McGee] had his first touchdown today since he's been at Pitt," Wannstedt said. "He's one of our outstanding guys that has been a part of our program, and I don't give game balls in the locker room but I gave one out today to Cedric."
The Orange scored a touchdown with a minute left on an Averin Collier 1-yard run after the Panthers inserted their backup defense.
Pitt returns to action next Saturday with a nationally-televised night game by hosting Notre Dame at Heinz Field. Lewis can not wait for next week.
"Everybody is excited about Notre Dame," Lewis said. "We're going to be ready and fired up for this game."
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