Syracuse seeks to end Big East winless streak, against Pitt
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) – Greg Robinson is in his second year as head coach at Syracuse, and he’s still looking for his first Big East win. Pitt offers the next opportunity for Syracuse (3-2, 0-0 Big East) to break its sorry streak of seven straight conference losses, not to mention the chance for the Orange to extend their first winning streak under Robinson.
No wonder Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt is wearing a worried look.
“We’re going to get everything Syracuse has to offer,” Wannstedt said. “They’re riding high right now, they’ve got a game at home, and they’re looking to make it four in a row. This will probably be as emotional a game as we have from an opponent’s standpoint.”
Pitt (4-1, 1-0) visits the Carrier Dome at noon today, and the outcome of the game could serve as a bellwether for each team.
The Panthers, who have reversed field from last year’s 1-4 start, have won three of the last four in this series after suffering 11 straight losses to the Orange and desperately want to keep heading in the right direction. The Orange have consecutive wins over members of the Big Ten, Mid-American and Mountain West conferences, but with four of their last six games on the road, ending their in-conference skid is of paramount importance.
“We are working to try and beat Pitt,” Robinson said. “That is what the whole focus is all about.”
And the center of that focus is certain to be Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko, who leads the nation in passing efficiency with a 191.59 rating. Palko, whose favorite target is wideout Derek Kinder (23 catches for 485 yards and six TDs) has completed 68 percent of his passes (83-for-122) and has thrown 14 touchdown passes and only three interceptions.
“It is our job to minimize his game and make him less efficient,” Robinson said.
Syracuse is above .500 for the first time under Robinson, even though the Orange have been outgained in all but one game this year. And yet despite allowing nearly 380 yards per game, the Syracuse defense also has excelled, forcing 13 turnovers (tied for fifth nationally) and registering 25 sacks, tops in the nation.
“We’re talking about a team with a very good defensive line, and up there on the turf they’re going to be extra quick,” Wannstedt said. “Everything will happen a lot faster this week for our offensive line, so we will be challenged in a different way.”
He said that having an experienced quarterback will be the most important element of playing on Syracuse’s turf.
“We feel obviously good that Tyler’s been up there before, he knows what to expect,” Wannstedt said. “He’s doing a great job of making good decisions and getting the ball out quickly. He’s really not forcing anything.”
That could change on Saturday with a couple of inexperienced freshmen on the offensive line and standout right guard John Simonitis out for the season with a broken ankle. Wannstedt also plans to play some reserves in the event another starter gets injured.
“This will be a whole different adventure for us,” Wannstedt said. “We haven’t played on the road in a few weeks. Everything is a little bit different. We know it’s going to be a hostile crowd. Whether we’ll play good enough, time will tell. I don’t see our group getting rattled or having any problems.”
The Orange can’t wait.
“It’s a big one, another challenge in front of our face,” said defensive end Jameel McClain, who leads Syracuse with seven sacks. “We haven’t won a Big East game in a long while.”
NOTES: Pitt is 3-9-1 all-time in the Carrier Dome and Syracuse leads the series, which dates to 1916, 30-28-3. … Palko’s previous trip to the Carrier Dome ended in a 38-31 loss in double overtime. … Two of Syracuse’s three home games have been decided in double overtime, with the Orange losing to then-No. 14 Iowa a month ago and beating Wyoming last week.