It was a big-time beatdown in a big-time ACC matchup on Thursday night. Heading into the Steel City, the Syracuse Orange were slated to have a tough and tight matchup against the University of Pittsburgh Panthers. Both teams were among the best in the conference arriving at the game and would be a good test for each other.
However, that did not end up being the case. Pitt beat the breaks off of Syracuse throughout the entire game, winning by a score of 41-13. It was a one-sided affair from the jump, establishing Pitt as a true contender for an ACC title while relating Syracuse to a tier below the Panthers. I would love to say that there were countless reasons why Pitt overcame the Orange and won big on Thursday. Yet, it was much more simplistic than that.
The Pittsburgh Defense is a Wagon
They have not reached the level of a steel curtain, but the Panthers’ defense is playing at an exceptional level.
Pitt set the tone immediately by making plays on the football and creating instant scoring opportunities on turnovers. Most significantly were their pick sixes. They did not have just one pick-six.
SHARKS! EAT! 🦈
PICK 6 TO START US OFF 😤
📺 ESPN#HailToPitt x @Rasheembiles pic.twitter.com/gXKtD8xsMk
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) October 24, 2024
They did not just have two of them.
3 PICKS… 2 PICK 6s… THESE PANTHERS ARE FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS! 🟡🔵#HailToPitt
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) October 25, 2024
The Pitt Panthers had THREE pick-sixes in a single game.
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED!? 🦈#HailToPitt x @BraylanLovelace
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) October 25, 2024
In total, the Panthers had five interceptions off pro-quarterback hopeful Kyle McCord. They were consistently jumping routes and locking down receivers, often giving them no room to breathe or separate. Objectively, it was some of the best coverage I have seen in college football this season.
Additionally, the Panthers provided great run defense and a great pass rush. Pitt only allowed six(!!) net rushing yards in the entire game. The interior defensive line, led by Keye Thompson, and the linebackers, led by Rasheem Biles, shut down any opportunities for Syracuse to get into a flow. Biles and Braylan Lovelace also were disruptive in the pass rush game, providing a sack apiece.
The final yardage numbers for Syracuse do not reflect the dominance Pitt showed on Thursday. They had the perfect read on what the Orange wanted to do, played with aggression to stop it, and exerted their will on their opposition.
Star linebacker Kyle Louis said that the defense took the hype surrounding McCord and the Syracuse passing game “personal.”
“They definitely disrespected us all around. We definitely locked in. We changed up some passing concepts that we did because we knew where (Kyle) McCord wanted to throw it to… I am definitely proud of my sharks. That’s gotta be some sort of historic performance right there.”
No game will be as close to easy as the Syracuse game was for the Panthers. But with a wrecking crew of players like Louis at linebacker, some talented secondary players, and a productive defensive line, the Panthers could ride their defense very far this college football season.
Holstein shows off some bullets from the holster
Look, the Pitt offense did not do much against Syracuse, and quite frankly, they did not need to. They had over 100 fewer total yards than Syracuse and still own the game by 28 points.
However, the young quarterback for the Panthers showed that, if needed, he could have carved up the Orange’s defense into slices.
Eli Holstein, in minimal work, showcased the upper-level potential he has as a quarterback for Pitt. On his first touchdown of the day, he threw a dart in between multiple defenders to receiver Censere Lee. It was a throw that not only his opposition could not make tonight but also many quarterbacks in college football.
DO YOUR DANCE YOUNG MAN 🔥#HailToPitt x @CensereLee
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) October 25, 2024
The second throw from Holstein was even better. Ripping a deep throw down the field, the quarterback hit his wideout between two defenders for a touchdown. It was, by far, the best throw of the night.
Holstein has some bullets in his holster! The Pitt QB throws a great ball that splits the safeties and perfectly hits wideout Raphael Williams Jr. for a TD. That should about put this one away, if there was any doubt. 38-6 Pitt in the 4th. #H2P
— Brandyn Pokrass (@BPok24) October 25, 2024
The defense is the main attraction of the night, but Holstein should not go completely under the radar. If he continues to play at the level he has shown through seven games, Pitt will genuinely have a legitimate shot to compete for the ACC title later this season.
Promising Running Back, All-Star Kicker
There were two other main observations from the shellacking that took place on Thursday night.
Desmond Reid, who is the main running back for the Panthers, looked shot out of a cannon when running the ball against the Orange. He was able to get the edge, read his blocks, and churn out consistent yardage. Most impressively, though, Reid ran through contact very well tonight. With more performances like this one, Redi could put himself on draft radars.
One person who should already be there, though, is Pitt kicker Ben Sauls. Draining 57 and 49-yard field goals, Sauls extended his new all-time record for most field goals consecutively made for the Panthers. He has a big leg and the accuracy to boot it from wherever he needs to. In terms of what the modern NFL wants from a kicker, he is the perfect mold.
