Next man up
- Coaching: It would be an understatement to say this season has not started according to plan for Fran Brown's Syracuse Orange.
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Narduzzi is 'not worried about Mason'
- Syracuse rarely blitzed and instead dropped seven defenders into coverage against Pitt, according to the game analysis. The approach forced Heintschel to locate openings in a crowded secondary. This describes the defense used in that game, not confirmation of the same plan for Syracuse's next opponent.
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Syracuse loses second straight as penalties, mistakes cost the Orange once again
- Syracuse replaced Steve Angeli with Amari Odom midway through the fourth quarter of its 27-13 loss at Pittsburgh after interceptions on consecutive possessions. Angeli finished 13-of-25 for 161 yards and two interceptions, and earlier underthrew an open Umari Hatcher on a potential touchdown. The recap does not announce a starter change for the next game.
- Syracuse's run defense allowed Pittsburgh 247 yards and more than seven yards per carry, including a 76-yard touchdown drive on four runs immediately after halftime. The pass defense was more effective, limiting the Panthers to 123 yards on 10-of-23 passing; the clearest breakdown was on the ground.
- Syracuse running back Ahmad Miller produced 78 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. His second-half rushing success created a play-action opportunity that the passing game failed to convert into a touchdown, leaving a productive ground-game stretch without points.
- Syracuse turned to Shay Barker after Tripp Woody badly missed a short field goal. Barker made a field goal before halftime. This establishes an in-game kicker replacement, but the report does not confirm who will handle the job going forward.
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- Pick/market: QB Amari Odom has taken over for Syracuse after Steve Angeli goes 13-25 for 161 yards and two interceptions through the first 53 minutes of the game against Pitt.
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