No. 19 Pitt Football Dominates Syracuse 41-13, Solidifies Defensive Prowess

Pittsburgh, PA — The No. 19 ranked University of Pittsburgh Panthers football team made a strong statement with a 41-13 victory over Syracuse at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday night. This win, which was broadcast on national television, underscored the Panthers’ defensive prowess and solidified their position as a formidable team in college football.

Pitt’s defensive performance was particularly impressive, with the team’s linebacking corps standing out. The unit, which includes players like Kyle Louis, Rasheem Biles, Brandon George, Braylan Lovelace, and Jordan Bass, combined for 32 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, and four interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns. Coach Pat Narduzzi praised the team’s overall coaching and play-making, highlighting the importance of starting smart and executing with precision.

Another key contributor to Pitt’s success was kicker Ben Sauls, who extended his consecutive made field goal attempts to 14, a program record. Sauls connected on field goals of 49 and 57 yards and all of his point-after attempts. Narduzzi lauded Sauls as the best kicker he has worked with, noting his potential for an NFL career due to his impressive range and accuracy.

Despite the convincing win, there are some concerns about the offense, particularly the performance of quarterback Eli Holstein. While Holstein has been excellent overall this season, completing 138-of-215 pass attempts for 1,808 yards with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions, his recent games have been less impressive. Against Syracuse, he completed 11-of-15 passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns but did not look entirely comfortable. Coach Narduzzi remains optimistic about Holstein’s future, emphasizing that he will be fine and that the team just took precautions after he suffered a minor injury.

The win sets Pitt up for a significant game ahead, following a mini-bye week. The Panthers’ performance against Syracuse has certainly proven their capabilities and sets high expectations for their upcoming matches).