Pitt Panthers at Syracuse Orange GameDay Preview

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The University of Pittsburgh has a tradition of excellence in football that dates back to 1890. The Pitt Panthers have won Nine National Championships and many of the greatest players in the history of football are proud to call Pitt their alma mater.

Pitt boasts 99 First Team All-Americans, 25 members in the College Football Hall of Fame and ten Panthers have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

NGSC Sports provides you the ultimate Pitt Game Day Preview, where true Panther fans come to find out about Pitt and their upcoming opponent! Mike Drakulich (@PghSportsNation) brings you inside the huddle for both teams, providing all fans with The Pittsburgh SportsNation Game Commentary, Score Prediction, Broadcast Information, and a complete breakdown of each team.

Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff! The only thing you’re missing is a game uniform!

Pitt Panthers (2-7) at Syracuse Orange (4-5)

NCAA Week 11

Vegas line: Pitt -3

Game-time: Saturday, November 11th, at 3:30 PM

Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY.

Field: Natural Grass

Weather at Kickoff: 51 and sunny. Winds out of the Northeast at 10 MPH.

Tickets: Pitt Ticket Office

Pittsburgh SportsNation Game Commentary

The year, for all intensive purposes, is over for the Pitt Panthers (2-7), who for the first time since 2017, will be home for the Bowl Season.

Three games remain, and all the Panthers can do is play for next year, and try to build some momentum and hope for the 2024 season.

Head Coach Pat Narduzzi will expect his team to rebound from three straight losses since upsetting #14 Louisville 38-21 a month ago.

Narduzzi isn’t ready to start looking at younger players just yet, as there will be no youth movement, at least for this game, as Pitt prepares to face off against Syracuse (4-5) this Saturday afternoon at the Carrier Dome.

“I’d like to take these last couple games to get some wins,” Narduzzi said. “I’m not worried about looks. We have spring ball for that. I’m trying to win a football game. That will always be why we step on the field on game days.”

The Orange have problems of their own, dropping five straight since starting off the year 4-0.

Pitt played much better despite the 24-7 score would indicate vs Florida State last week.

Unlike the 58-7 clubbing at the hands of Notre Dame, the Panthers never quit in the loss to FSU, and honestly, were in prime position to pull off the upset before doing the most “Pitt” of Pitt things, such as Konata Mumpfield fumbling the ball at the one yard line, resulting in a touchback instead of a 82 yard touchdown. Konata did have his facemask pulled down during the attempted tackle, which of course the ACC refs just happened to miss.

All in all, Pitt should have had a 14-0 lead over the Seminoles.

But… they didn’t, and in the end, too many mistakes combined with poor officiating, and another bland effort by quarterback Christian Veilleux were too much to overcome.

“Watching the film, we know we can do things way better than what we did,” linebacker Solomon DeShields said. “Communication problem. Something we have to get better at. Sometimes guys can’t hear on the field.”

As of Friday at 1:00 AM, it’s anybody’s guess on who will start at quarterback for Syracuse.

Starter Garrett Shrader missed last week’s game against Boston College, and if he missed this game, Carlos Del Rio-Wilson will be under center for the Orange.

Shrader has thrown for 1,508 yards, nine touchdowns, and five interceptions, compared to Rio-Wilson who has 282 yards passing, three TD passes and six interceptions.

Regardless, Pitt’s defense should be up to the task of getting to whomever starts, as Syracuse has given up 28 sacks this year.

Pitt will have a trio of receivers to deal with in Damien Alford, Umari Hatcher, and Donovan Brown, all of whom have caught at least 23 passes, with Alford leading the way with 25 for 389 yards and a touchdown.

LeQuint Allen is the lead back with 695 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. He’s also totaled 26 receptions for 174 yards and a touchdown to boot.

Syracuse has scored more than 10 points just once during their five game losing streak.

If Pitt can get running back Rodney Hammond going, who had 60 yards on 13 carries last week, they’ll be in a good position to win this game. Syracuse is giving up more than 153 yards per game on the ground.

It would also behoove Veilleux and his receivers to get on the same page, a feat not accomplished too often this season, no matter who the quarterback has been.

Wide receivers coach Tiquan Underwood has been working to find improvements in Pitt’s passing game, starting with his group.

“It hasn’t been perfect. It hasn’t been bad,” Underwood said of in regards to Veilleux’s four starts as a Panther. “He’s continuing to learn. I feel like he’ll be better for it.

“We need to pitch and catch better. That’s one thing I will say. It starts with us, just creating separation, getting open so the quarterback can deliver us the ball. I’ll continue to be on my receivers and say we have to get open and do our job.”

Look for Pitt and Veilleux to end the misery of this three game losing streak, and put forth some positive vibes heading into the final two games of a very disappointing year.

Prediction: Pitt 24 Syracuse 13

BROADCAST INFORMATION

TV: ACC Network (Xfinity: Channel 1325 | DirecTV: Channel 612 | Dish: Channel 402)

Announcers: Chris Cotter (play-by-play) Mark Herzlich (analyst) | Sherree Burruss (reporter)

Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 93.7 The Fan

Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Pat Bostick (analyst) | Larry Richert and Dorin Dickerson (reporters)

National Radio: N/A

Announcers:

Alternative Broadcasts:

Online Radio: 937thefan.radio.com
Satellite Radio: SiriusXM channels 383

Scouting the Pitt Panthers

Overall Record: 2-7 | ACC Record: 1-4 | Rank: N/A

Previous Game: Florida State 24 Pitt 7

Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi

9th Season with Pitt
Lifetime Record: 64-48
ACC Division Titles: 2
ACC Championships: 1

Pitt Team Links

PITT OFFENSE (Pro Style)

Offensive Stats

Points per game: 20.7 (218th)
Total offense yards per game: 314.9 (212th)
Passing yards per game: 212.3 (143rd)
Rushing yards per game: 102.6 (235th)

QUARTERBACK

Christian Veilleux | #11

Veilleux was awful once again vs FSU, completing just 15 of 35 passes for 244 yards. It’s mind blowing how none of the Pitt QB’s seem to be on the same page as their receivers.

Passing Yards: 1,018 | TD Passes: 6 | INT’s: 7 | Sacked: 7

Rushing Yards: 10 | Rushing TD’s: 0

Back-up: Nate Yarnell | #19

Passing Yards: 75 | TD Passes: 1 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0

Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0

RUNNING BACKS

Rodney Hammond | #6

Hammond finally got consistent carries against the Seminoles, turning 13 carries into 60 yards. Hammond looks to build off of that outing vs the Orange.

Rushing Yards: 338 | Rushing TD’s: 3

Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 41 | Receiving TD’s: 0

C’Bo Flemister | #24

Flemister, who had been getting more carries than Hammond, only ran the ball five times last week. Flemister should be more involved this week vs Syracuse.

Rushing Yards: 329 | Rushing TD’s: 2

Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 88 | Receiving TD’s: 1

Daniel Carter | #4

Rushing Yards: 130 | Rushing TD’s: 2

Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 4 | Receiving TD’s: 0

WIDE RECEIVERS

Konata Mumpfield | #9

Mumpfield leads the team with 36 receptions and 498 yards. Should’ve had an 82 yard touchdown reception vs FSU, but fumbled the ball out of the endzone upon being tackled, and facemasked at the same time.

Receptions: 36 | Receiving Yards: 498 | Receiving TD’s: 4

Bub Means | #0

Means has been on fire since Veilleux took over. Had seven catches for 98 yards and a touchdown last week.

Receptions: 30 | Receiving Yards: 487 | Receiving TD’s: 4

Daejon Reynolds | #3

Reynolds has good speed and has caught a pass in all but one game this year.

Receptions: 20 | Receiving Yards: 214 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Kenny Johnson | #2

Johnson is a dynamic threat, but hasn’t been utilized as much as his talent warrants.

Receptions: 9 | Receiving Yards: 95 | Receiving TD’s: 1

Rushing Yards: 43

Che Nwebuko | #21

Has great speed but hasn’t been used to the abilities he possesses.

Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Rushing Yards: 22

TIGHT ENDS

Gavin Bartholomew | #86

Bartholomew has great hands and is 3rd on the team with 326 yards receiving. Veilleux needs to get him more involved in the passing game, as he is drastically being underutilized.

Receptions: 18 | Receiving Yards: 326 | Receiving TD’s: 1

Karter Johnson | #8

Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 84 | Receiving TD’s: 1

Malcolm Epps | #7

Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 17 | Receiving TD’s: 0

OFFENSIVE LINE

LT: Branson Taylor | #78

LG: Jake Kradel | #53

C: Terrance Moore | #58

RG: Jason Collier | #50 or B.J. Williams | #55

RT: Ryan Baer | #70

*Injured/Out

PITT DEFENSE (Base 4-3)

Defensive Stats

Points per game allowed: 28.2 (174th)
Total offense yards per game allowed: 366.3
Passing yards allowed: 234.4
Rushing yards allowed: 131.9
Sacks: 25
Interceptions: 7

DEFENSIVE LINE

DE: Dayon Hayes | #50

Tackles: 28 | Sacks: 2

DT: Deandre Jules | #0

Tackles: 18 | Sacks: 1

DT: David Green | #2

Tackles: 28 | Sacks: 1.5

DE: Nate Temple | #6

Tackles: 25 | Sacks: 1.5

LINEBACKERS

Money: Bengally Kamara | #11

Tackles: 32 | Sacks: 1

MIKE: Shayne Simon | #32

Tackles: 33 | Sacks: 4

STAR: Solomon DeShields, Jr. |#23

Tackles: 45 | Sacks: 2

SECONDARY

CB: Marquis Williams | #14 or A.J. Woods | #9

Tackles: 20 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1 Tackles: 25 | Sacks: 2 | INT: 1

SS: Donovan McMillon | #3

Tackles: 74 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0

FS: Javon McIntyre | #7

Tackles: 54 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0

CB: M.J. Devonshire | #12

Tackles: 25 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 2 | TD: 1

PITT SPECIAL TEAMS

PLACEKICKER

Ben Sauls | #90

Extra Points: 23-23

Field Goals: 6-10

1-19 yards: 0-0
20-29 yards: 2-2
30-39 yards: 1-1
40-49 yards: 3-5
50+ yards: 0-2

KICKOFF RETURNERS

Konata Mumpfield | #9

Average: 20.0 | TD Returns: 0

Kenny Johnson | #2

Average: 28.2 | TD Returns: 1

PUNT RETURNER

M.J. Devonshire | #12

Average: 3.2 | TD Returns: 0

Scouting the Syracuse Orange

Overall Record: 4-5 | ACC Conference Record: 0-5 | Rank: N/A

Previous Game: Boston College 17 Syracuse 10

Head Coach: Dino Babers

8th Season with Syracuse
Lifetime Record: 77-70 | 40-54 at Syracuse

Links

Syracuse Roster

SYRACUSE OFFENSE (Spread)

Offensive Stats

Points per game: 24.6 (161st)
Total offense yards per game: 353 (166th)
Passing yards per game: 199.9 (174th)
Rushing yards per game: 153.1 (131st)

QUARTERBACKS

Garrett Shrader | #6

Shrader, the 6’4 senior QB has thrown for 1,508 yards, with nine touchdowns and five interceptions. He has been sacked 25 times.

Passing Yards: 1,508 | TD Passes: 9 | INT’s: 5 | Sacked: 25

Rushing Yards: 316 | Rushing TD’s: 6

Back-up: Carlos Del Rio-Wilson | #16

Passing Yards: 282 | TD Passes: 3 | INT’s: 6 | Sacked: 3

Rushing Yards: 105 | Rushing TD’s: 1

RUNNING BACKS

LeQuint Allen | #1

Allen has good speed, leading Syracuse with 695 yards rushing, and finding the endzone seven times. Good dual threat as he has also collected 26 receptions for 174 yards.

Rushing Yards: 695 | Rushing TD’s: 7

Receptions: 26 | Receiving Yards: 174 | Receiving TD’s: 1

Juwaun Price | #28

Rushing Yards: 129 | Rushing TD’s: 0

Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 38 | Receiving TD’s: 0

WIDE RECEIVERS

Damien Alford | #5

Alford is a big target at 6’6, and is 2nd on the Orange with 24 receptions for 389 yards and one touchdown.

Receptions: 24 | Receiving Yards: 389 | Receiving TD’s: 1

Umari Hatcher | #17

Hatcher leads the team with 25 receptions for 415 yards and a pair of scores.

Receptions: 25 | Receiving Yards: 415 | Receiving TD’s: 2

Donovan Brown | #87

Brown is one of a trio of Orange receivers involved in the passing game. He’s 3rd on the team with 23 receptions for 305 yards.

Receptions: 23 | Receiving Yards: 305 | Receiving TD’s: 1

Isaiah Jones | #80

Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 157 | Receiving TD’s: 2

Darrell Gill, Jr. | #82

Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 54 | Receiving TD’s: 1

TIGHT ENDS

Dan Villari | #89

Villaru is the only tight end with any solid stats, nabbing up 19 catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns.

Receptions: 19 | Receiving Yards: 167 | Receiving TD’s: 2

Max Mang | #81

Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 7 | Receiving TD’s: 0

*Injured/Out

SYRACUSE DEFENSE (3-3-5)

Defensive Stats

Points per game allowed: 23.3 (93rd)
Total offense yards per game allowed: 393.7
Passing yards allowed: 240.6
Rushing yards allowed: 153.1
Sacks: 22
Interceptions: 6

DEFENSIVE LINE

LDE: Caleb Okechukwu | #4

Tackles: 24 | Sacks: 2

NT: Kevon Darton | #00

Tackles: 23 | Sacks: 3

RDE: Terry Lockett | #90

Tackles: 23 | Sacks: 0

LINEBACKERS

WLB: Leon Lowery | #16

Tackles: 32 | Sacks: 3.5

MLB: Marlowe Wax | #2

Tackles: 73 | Sacks: 4 | INT: 1

SLB: Derek McDonald | #15

Tackles: 44 | Sacks: 2

SECONDARY

FCB: Isaiah Johnson | #3

Tackles: 47 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0

FS: Jason Simmons, Jr. | #6

Tackles: 32 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1

ROVER: Justin Baron | #8

Tackles: 67 | Sacks: 0.5 | INT: 1

BS: Alijah Clark | #5

Tackles: 49 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0

BCB: Jayden Bellamy | #23

Tackles: 23 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0

SYRACUSE SPECIAL TEAMS

PLACEKICKER

Brady Denaburg | #92

Extra Points: 26-27

Field Goals: 9-13

1-19 yards: 0-0
20-29 yards: 1-1
30-39 yards: 6-7
40-49 yards: 2-3
50+ yards: 0-2

KICKOFF RETURNER

D’Marcus Adams | #85

Average: 15.5 | TD Returns: 0

PUNT RETURNER

D’Marcus Adams | #85

Average: 7.4 | TD Returns: 0

PITT vs SYRACUSE HISTORY

Series Began: 1916

Overall Record: 43-32-3

At Home: 25-11
On Road: 18-19-3
Neutral Site: 0-2

ACC Series: 9-1

Streak: Pitt won the last five games.

Last Game: Nov. 5, 2022 (Pitt 19, Syracuse 9)

INJURY REPORT (11/9/23)

Pitt Panthers

Out: LG Ryan Jacoby, LT Matt Goncalves

Doubtful: None

Questionable: None

Syracuse Orange

Out: None

Doubtful: None

Questionable: None

ACC STANDINGS

About Post Author

Mike Drakulich

From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team. There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all! As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football. For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!

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Mike DrakulichYour source for Pittsburgh sports!

From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.

There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all!

As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football.

For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!