Recap: Syracuse Loses to Pitt in OT, 44-37

Saturday, October 6

Pittsburgh, PA

12:20 PM

Syracuse University

4-2 , 1-2

Pittsburgh

3-3 , 2-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Syracuse

Pittsburgh

10/6/2018 5:23:00 PM | Football

Box Score Highlights Photo Gallery Dino Babers Press Conference Eric Dungey Press Conference Kendall Coleman Press Conference Postgame Notes Quotes

PITTSBURGH – Syracuse (4-2, 1-2 ACC) lost to its most familiar foe, Pittsburgh (3-3, 2-1 ACC), by the score of 44-37 in overtime on Saturday, Oct. 6 at Heinz Field. The Panthers scored the go-ahead touchdown in the extra session and then intercepted senior quarterback Eric Dungey on the first play of the Orange's overtime possession to claim the victory.

It was the third overtime game played between the Orange and the Panthers and the first time Pittsburgh came away with a win. The loss extended Syracuse's road losing streak to the Panthers to eight games.

The length of the contest was extended by a 69-minute weather delay in the third quarter.

HOW IT WAS DECIDED
Syracuse won the coin toss in overtime and elected to go on defense first. Pittsburgh took advantage with five straight running plays, the last a 3-yard rush to paydirt by senior tailback Darrin Hall.

The Orange then had its chance, but it disappeared quickly when Dungey rolled out and fired into the end zone for sophomore Nykeim Johnson. The ball was underthrown and picked off by sophomore defensive back Therran Coleman.

A FAST START
The Orange jumped out to a 14-0 advantage in the first nine minutes of action. After receiving the opening kickoff, Syracuse marched 75 yards in 11 plays, a drive capped by a 1-yard pass from Dungey to sophomore tight end Aaron Hackett. It represented Hackett's first collegiate reception and the 50th career touchdown pass for Dungey.

Just five plays into Pittsburgh's first possession, junior defensive end Alton Robinson forced a Panther fumble that was recovered by junior linebacker Andrew Armstrong. The Orange moved 42 yards in five plays after the turnover, a series keyed by a Dungey 29-yard run. Freshman Jarveon Howard carried the ball the final two yards for his first career touchdown, and after redshirt freshman Andre Szmyt's two PATs, the Orange were up 14-0.

PANTHERS POUNCE
Pittsburgh took advantage of two first-half Orange turnovers. Senior linebacker Quintin Wirginis stripped the ball from Dungey on a running play. Junior defensive back Dane Jackson picked it up and sprinted into the end zone from 35 yards out to tie the game at 14-14 with 4:21 left in the first quarter.

In the second period, Dungey was intercepted by junior defensive tackle Amir Watts. The Orange defense limited Pittsburgh's advance, but the Panthers came away with a field goal to move in front, 20-14.

Syracuse cut into the Pittsburgh lead prior to the intermission on a 33-yard field goal by Szmyt.

The Panthers went right two work to start the third quarter. On its second play of the half, sophomore quarterback Kenny Pickett and senior wide receiver Rafael Araujo-Lopes teamed on a 68-yard touchdown pass. The point after put Pittsburgh ahead 27-17, and before the ensuing kickoff, heavy rains and lighting in the area forced the suspension of play.

THE TIDE TURNS AFTER DELAY
Following the weather delay and a punt for each team, the Orange stormed back. Dungey started the drive with a 27-yard strike to freshman wideout Taj Harris. After two rushes from Howard, Dungey and Harris connected on a 22-yard pass play that put the ball at the Pittsburgh five. Howard took it the rest of the way, knocking the helmet off a Panther defender on his way into the end zone. The extra point narrowed Pittsburgh's lead to 27-24 with 8:12 left in the third quarter.

Syracuse's third possession after the break was a nine-play, 73-yard drive ended by Dungey's 21-yard scramble and dive into the end zone. The score gave the Orange back the advantage, 31-27, with 21 seconds left in the third quarter.

The Orange got the ball again after Robinson forced his second fumble of the afternoon. Senior linebacker Ryan Guthrie recovered for the Orange in Pittsburgh territory at the 31. Syracuse gained one first down before settling for a 29-yard field goal from Szmyt that extended the lead to 34-27.

A TENSE FOURTH QUARTER
Pittsburgh answered on its next drive. The Panthers ran five times and took advantage of two Syracuse penalties before Hall scored on a 7-yard run. The extra point knotted things up again, this time at 34-34 with 7:51 left in regulation.

Syracuse responded on its next turn. On a series hat featured a 42-yard pass from Dungey to senior wide receiver Jamal Custis, the Orange regained the advantage on a 54-yard field goal by Szmyt.

Pittsburgh's last drive in regulation started at its own 25 with 5:53 left on the clock. The Panthers went 48 yards in 13 plays, converting a fourth-and-three play along the way. With eight seconds remaining, sophomore kicker Alex Kessman made his third field goal of the afternoon, a 45-yarder with eight seconds left, to force overtime.

LEGGING IT OUT
Szmyt continued his successful first season. He made all three of his field-goal attempts, including a career-long, 54-yarder in the fourth quarter. The kick tied the second-longest field in Heinz Field history (college or pro) and was the fourth-longest in team history.

Kessman once again was stellar against the Orange. He converted field goals of 54 and 55 yards in the first half (the two longest field goals in the history of Heinz Field) and hit his 45-yard try to send the contest to overtime. It was more work than Kessman was used to in 2018. Prior to Saturday, he had only attempted two field goals this season.

Syracuse was already familiar with Kessman. A season ago in the Dome, Kessman made field goals of 49, 42 and 56 yards in a 27-24 loss to the Orange. Kessman's 56-yard boot was the longest in Carrier Dome history and tied for the longest ever made against the Orange.

OF NOTE

Dungey was 18-of-38 passing for 195 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He led all Syracuse rushers with 70 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.
Junior wide receiver Sean Riley paced the Orange with six catches for 29 yards.
Syracuse's defensive unit saved some of its best play for third down. The Orange limited the Panthers to 3-of-12 (.250) on third-down conversion attempts.
Junior cornerback Christopher Fredrick, senior linebacker Kielan Whitner and junior linebacker Armstrong each had nine tackles for Syracuse. Fredrick added an interception in the end zone that halted a potential scoring drive.
Junior defensive end Alton Robinson finished with career-high eight tackles, including four tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Robinson had two sacks and two forced fumbles.
The contest was the 74th meeting between Syracuse and Pittsburgh in a series that dates back to 1916.
Szmyt's three successful field goals improved his season numbers to 16-of-17 (.941). He also continued his perfect record on extra points after making all four attempts against the Panthers. Szmyt has made all 30 of his PAT tries this fall.

UP NEXT
Syracuse returns to the Dome to host North Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 20 during Orange Central/Homecoming Weekend. The game time and television designation is expected to be announced on Monday, Oct. 8.

Tickets to watch the showdown between the Orange and Tar Heels start at $35 and are available online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B).

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