SB Nation New York - Syracuse vs. Pitt: Orange down Panthers, 14-13https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2012-10-06T13:50:03-04:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/32134032012-10-06T13:50:03-04:002012-10-06T13:50:03-04:00Unusual performance propels SU to 14-13 victory
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<p>The Syracuse Orange flip the script on themselves Friday. Instead of allowing and not producing big plays, the Orange did the opposite in a 14-13 victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers at the Carrier Dome.</p> <p>SYRACUSE, N.Y. --- There's no easy way to describe the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/syracuse-orange">Syracuse Orange</a> football team. Through the first three weeks of the regular season, SU depended on its air-it-out offensive that ranked second in the country in passing yards. The strategy led to a 1-2 record. Since then, the Orange defense has allowed an average of 15 points while the offense has struggled averaging just 14. In those games, SU is 1-1 including Friday night's 14-13 victory in its Big East Conference opener against the visiting <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/pittsburgh-panthers">Pittsburgh Panthers</a>.</p>
<p>"When you play the University of Pittsburgh, at least from my standpoint, you better be ready to play," said SU head coach Doug Marrone, who improved to 4-1 after a bye week. "I thought our kids did a nice job and their kids did a hell of a job. We just made a couple of more plays and came out on the better end of the stick."</p>
<p>Despite Marrone's frustration level with the consistency of his team -- "We can enjoy ourselves tonight but we have a lot to work on and we need to get back to work," said Marrone -- SU did something against Pitt it hadn't all season (and you could say most of last season too) and the result was a much-needed victory.</p>
<p>That something was making big plays.</p>
<p>The first was a 52-yard first-quarter score by sophomore linebacker Dyshawn Davis, who scooped up a fumbled by Pitt tight end <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114260/drew-carswell">Drew Carswell</a> and followed a slew of blocker into the end zone. The touchdown, which helped SU earn a 14-0 lead with about a minute to go in the first, was setup by a solid tackle and strip by safety <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114528/jeremi-wilkes">Jeremi Wilkes</a>, who hit Carswell shortly after he caught a two-yard pass from quarterback Tino Sunseri.</p>
<p>"Jeremi Wilkes did a good job of stripping it and I saw the ball on the ground," said Davis. "My eyes got big and I knew I had to get in the end zone. I had my teammates in front of me leading the way, all I had to do was follow them and I was in the end zone."</p>
<p>After Pitt trimmed Syracuse's lead to 14-7 with a one-yard second-quarter rushing touchdown by senior tailback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75526/ray-graham">Ray Graham</a>, the Orange answered with a 70-yard march that ended with quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37776/ryan-nassib">Ryan Nassib</a> throwing a poor fade pass that was intercepted in the Panther end zone by Pitt's junior defensive back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114246/k-waun-williams">K'Waun Williams</a>.</p>
<p>Nassib's poor pass (and boy was it bad) wasn't the big play of the 12-play drive that should of ended with SU leading 21-7. It was the 18-yard pass Nassib threw to junior wide receiver <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114548/jarrod-west">Jarrod West</a>, which three plays earlier, converted a 4th-and-9 from Pitt's 33-yard line.</p>
<p>The drive's end result wasn't good, however, two things happened on the possession that hadn't happened earlier in the year: 1) Marrone made a gutsy call to go for it on 4th-and-long inside the opponent's territory -- in similar situations this season he's elected to punt; 2) Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett made a good play call and his players -- Nassib and West -- executed.</p>
<p>SU's biggest plays came in the perfect time of a ball game -- the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>For two hours, SU's defense had bent but not broken against the ground-and-pound Pitt offense. After being handed a 14-point deficit, the Panthers slowly trimmed the margin to one point (14-13) as in their next seven offensive possessions they either started or drove inside Orange territory.</p>
<p>The result was Graham's one-yard touchdown and two field goals by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37494/kevin-harper">Kevin Harper</a>, who also missed one. However, despite its success (Pitt out gained Syracuse 346 to 305 in total yards) it was a handful of big plays by SU's defense that kept the Panthers out of the end zone and eventually helped snap a seven-game losing streak to Pitt.</p>
<p>Two important plays were sacks made by SU senior defense end Brandon Sharpe. The first came early in the fourth and helped halt a Pitt drive that moved to the Orange 29-yard line but came away with zero points.</p>
<p>Sharpe's sack, his third of a collegiate-best four, came on 3rd-and-20 and pushed the Panthers out of field goal range and forced a punt.</p>
<p>His second big sack came on Pitt's final offensive drive which moved all the way down to the SU 17-yard line. Facing a 1st-and-10, and seemingly in great position to setup a go-ahead field goal, Pitt was again backed up by Sharpe, who surged his way through the Pitt line and forced a 15-yard intentional-grounding penalty on Sunseri.</p>
<p>A play later, SU sophomore cornerback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134350/brandon-reddish">Brandon Reddish</a> made a big play of his own sacking Sunseri for a nine-yard loss. The sack, setup by a nicely designed corner blitz, again pushed the Panthers out of field goal range and forced a punt with about five minutes remaining.</p>
<p>From there, the Orange offense finished the job collecting three first downs that helped them run out the game clock.</p>
<p>As much as Marrone would like his team to find constancy, the fact is SU turned its season on its head Friday. Instead of giving up or not making plays at important times, the Orange did the opposite and the result was a victory in their most important game of the season.</p>
<p>In football, its not always how many positive plays you make that determines a win from a loss -- because Syracuse has had a lot of positive plays this season. Sometimes, its the right ones at the right times. And that's exactly what SU did against Pitt.</p>
<h5>Sharpe's career day</h5>
<p>As mentioned, Syracuse senior defensive end Brandon Sharpe (6'1, 253 pounds) was the MVP of Friday's victory. All night, Sharpe dominated Pitts' left tackle <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75538/cory-king">Cory King</a> (or whomever he was matched up against) and the effort was rewarded with a collegiate-best four sacks, the second-highest single-game total in program history.</p>
<p>Sharpe also recorded seven solo tackles, including six for a loss, a total that also ranks second in program history.</p>
<p>"I felt like the whole D-line got into a grove," said Sharpe after the game. "The coaches did a good job of helping us out on the sideline so we just went out there and played with passion and played our game."</p>
<p>Coach Marrone not only credited Sharpe for his effort but the whole defensive line.</p>
<p>"If one player plays very well, that means a lot of other people are doing something well on that defensive line and front seven," said Marrone. "Those guys are playing hard."</p>
<p>Sharpe now leads Syracuse's defense with 5 1/2 sacks.</p>
<h5>Ameen-Moore's emergence</h5>
<p>Sophomore tailback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134364/adonis-ameen-moore">Adonis Ameen-Moore</a> made a debut of sorts Friday. For the first time this season the 5'11, 229-pound sophomore carried the ball. The result was a one-yard touchdown run on his first carry of the '12 campaign and a critical two-yard gain on a 3rd-and-1 situation late in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>The first play helped give SU an early 7-0 advantage while the second cemented Syracuse's victory, as it allowed the Orange to run the remaining time of the game clock.</p>
<p>After the game, Ameen-Moore said it felt great to get back into the offensive mix and his new role as the Orange's short-yardage back is easy to gear up for.</p>
<p>"For a running back, if somebody tells you can just go in and score a touchdown that's defiantly going to be fun," said Ameen-Moore. "That's going to make me get turned up through the whole game. I need to be ready, tuned into everything, so I know just in case we get down there I am ready to go score."</p>
<p>Ameen-Moore finished the game with five carries for 14-cirtical yards.</p>
<h5>Bad Ryan Nassib</h5>
<p>For the second game in a row, Orange senior quarter back Ryan Nassib didn't play up to his potential. SU's signal caller finished 19-for-30 with 185 passing yards, zero touchdowns and one interception. (Against Minnesota, Nassib was 21-for-31 with 232 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.)</p>
<p>At times, Nassib looked sharp: He completed all four of his passes for 51 yards on the Orange's first offensive drive that led to a touchdown; he also was 7-for-8 on the second-quarter drive which marched down to Pitt's nine-yard line but ended on an interception.</p>
<p>At times, he looked terrible: He got lucky on a pass near midfield that deflected off the helmet of a Pitt linebacker and ended in the hands of wide receiver <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37778/marcus-sales">Marcus Sales</a>; And again, what was up with that awful fade pass that was picked off in the end zone?</p>
<p>Regardless, Syracuse can take away that in its last two games where its quarterback hasn't been great it stayed close in one and won the other.</p>
<h5><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160777/ashton-broyld">Ashton Broyld</a></h5>
<p>Whenever slashback Ashton Broyld doesn't play in a game for Syracuse its noteworthy. And Friday, the 6'4, 229-pound freshman didn't see any action, not even has a decoy.</p>
<p>When asked about the absence of Broyld after the game, Marrone replied.</p>
<p>"Our philosophy is to play the best players that give us the best chance to win. That’s not only Ashton Broyld, that’s a lot of other players on this team."</p>
<h5>Next week</h5>
<p>The Syracuse football schedule features the Orange traveling to Piscataway, NJ to play the No. 22-ranked <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/rutgers-scarlet-knights">Rutgers Scarlet Knights</a>. Kickoff is schedule for noon ET and will be broadcasted on the Big East Network.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/syracuse-orange-football/2012/10/6/3464580/syracuse-football-vs-pitt-brandon-sharpe-adonis-ameen-moore-ryan-nassib-ashton-broyldJared Smith2012-10-05T22:13:42-04:002012-10-05T22:13:42-04:00SU opens Big East play with 14-13 win over Pitt
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<p>Orange down Panthers, 14-13, at Carrier Dome.</p> <p>Behind two first-quarter touchdowns and an impressive second-half performance by their defense, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/syracuse-orange">Syracuse Orange</a> defeated the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/pittsburgh-panthers">Pittsburgh Panthers</a>, 14-13, in a Big East Conference game at the Carrier Dome. The victory was the Orange's first against Pitt (2-3, 0-2 Big East) since 2004 and snapped a eight-game losing streak to Football Bowl Subdivision opponents.</p>
<p>Syracuse's lone scores came in the first quarter. The first was a one-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134364/adonis-ameen-moore">Adonis Ameen-Moore</a> that capped an eight-play, 70-yard drive that took just 3:01 and helped give SU a 7-0 lead. The second was a 52-yard score on a fumble recovery and return by sophomore linebacker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134363/dyshawn-davis">Dyshawn Davis</a>, who help give the Orange a 14-0 lead with 9:54 remaining in the first quarter.</p>
<p>Behind two field goals by kicker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37494/kevin-harper">Kevin Harper</a>, who also missed one, and a one-yard touchdown run by running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75526/ray-graham">Ray Graham</a>, the Panthers clawed back into the game closing the gap to 14-13 in the fourth quarter. However, the Orange defense held tough as Pitt failed to score on three possible go-ahead drives late in the fourth.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/syracuse-orange-football/2012/10/5/3462932/syracuse-vs-pitt-final-score-orange-downs-panthers-14-13Jared Smith2012-10-05T21:29:52-04:002012-10-05T21:29:52-04:00SU leads Pitt, 14-13, after 3 quarters
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<p>Orange lead Panthers, 14-13, after third quarter.</p> <p>A 40-yard third-quarter field goal by kicker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37494/kevin-harper">Kevin Harper</a> helped the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/pittsburgh-panthers">Pittsburgh Panthers</a> trim the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/syracuse-orange">Syracuse Orange</a> lead to 14-13. The Big East Conference game at the Carrier Dome has reached the end of the third quarter.</p>
<p>Harper's kick was his second of the night -- the other came at the tail end of the second quarter -- and capped a 10-play, 73-yard march that ended with 1:57 to play in the quarter. The drive was highlighted by a 46-yard catch-and-run by Pitt tight end <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37503/mike-shanahan">Mike Shanahan</a>, who rumbled down to the SU 11-yard line. Three plays later Harper kicked the field goal.</p>
<p>Pittsburgh has scored 13 straight points to creep within a point of Syracuse, which led 14-0 after a pair of first-quarter touchdowns. However, the Orange's offense has been held in check by the Pitt defense. Luckily for SU, its defense, which also scored a touchdown, has helped hang onto the early lead.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/syracuse-orange-football/2012/10/5/3462796/syracuse-vs-pitt-score-orange-lead-panthers-14-13-after-three-quartersJared Smith2012-10-05T20:34:36-04:002012-10-05T20:34:36-04:00Syracuse leads Pitt, 14-7, at halftime
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<p>Orange lead Panthers, 14-10, at halftime of a Big East Conference football game at the Carrier Dome.</p> <p>A one-yard touchdown run by senior running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75526/ray-graham">Ray Graham</a> and a 40-yard field goal by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37494/kevin-harper">Kevin Harper</a> has help the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/pittsburgh-panthers">Pittsburgh Panthers</a> shrink the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/syracuse-orange">Syracuse Orange</a> lead to 14-10. The Big East Conference football game has reached halftime.</p>
<p>Graham's touchdown capped a 12-play, 62- yard march by Pittsburgh (2-2) that cut SU's lead to 14-7 with 10:41 to play in the first half. Harper's kick came with less than 30 seconds to go.</p>
<p>Both scores answered first-quarter touchdowns by Syracuse. The Orange scored on rushing touchdown by junior running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114527/prince-tyson-gulley">Prince-Tyson Gulley</a> and fumble returned for a touchdown by sophomore linebacker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134363/dyshawn-davis">Dyshawn Davis</a>.</p>
<p>Syracuse had a chance to push its lead to 20-7, but senior quarter back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37776/ryan-nassib">Ryan Nassib</a> threw an interception on a 3rd-and-4 situation on the Pitt nine-yard line. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114246/k-waun-williams">K'Waun Williams</a> was the Panther defender who picked off Nassib.</p>
<p>So far, Nassib is 12-for-17 with 133 passing yards, while Pitt quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37486/tino-sunseri">Tino Sunseri</a> is 16 of 21 with 187 yards.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/syracuse-orange-football/2012/10/5/3462626/syracuse-vs-pittsburgh-score-big-east-football-scheduleJared Smith2012-10-05T19:46:50-04:002012-10-05T19:46:50-04:00SU leads Pitt, 14-0, after 1st quarter
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<p>Syracuse leads Pittsburgh, 14-0, after the first quarter.</p> <p>A pair of touchdowns has helped the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/syracuse-orange">Syracuse Orange</a> earn a 14-0 lead over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/pittsburgh-panthers">Pittsburgh Panthers</a> in a Big East Conference football game that has reached the conclusion of the first quarter. Sophomore running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134364/adonis-ameen-moore">Adonis Ameen-Moore</a> and sophomore linebacker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134363/dyshawn-davis">Dyshawn Davis</a> each scored touchdowns for the Orange (1-3), who are looking to snap a seven-game losing streak to Pitt (2-2).</p>
<p>Moore's first touchdown of the season ended a eight-play, 70-yard drive that took just 3:01. Moore's plunged came on SU's first offensive possession which was setup by a 13-yard screen play by junior running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114527/prince-tyson-gulley">Prince-Tyson Gulley</a>, who rumbled down to the 1-yard line. A play later Moore scored to help give Syracuse a 7-0 lead with 9:54 remaining.</p>
<p>Davis' score came after teammate, junior safety <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114528/jeremi-wilkes">Jeremi Wilkes,</a> forced a fumble from Pitt sophomore tight end Drew Carsewell. Davis scooped up the ball and with a slew of blockers ran 52 yards into the end zone. The touchdown helped push SU's lead to 14-0 with about a minute to play.</p>
<p>Pitts lone scoring opportunity came on a 42-yard field goal attempt by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37494/kevin-harper">Kevin Harper</a>, who missed wide right.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/syracuse-orange-football/2012/10/5/3462396/syracuse-vs-pittsburgh-score-adonis-ameen-moore-dyshawn-davisJared Smith2012-10-05T14:38:09-04:002012-10-05T14:38:09-04:00Orange are 1 1/2-point favorites over Pitt
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<p>Syracuse host Pittsburgh Friday night at the Carrier Dome. Orange enter as 1 1/2-point favorites to pull out the win.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/syracuse-orange" class="sbn-auto-link">Syracuse Orange</a> open Big East Conference play Friday as the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/pittsburgh-panthers" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Panthers</a> visit the Carrier Dome (7 p.m. ET on ESPN), and <a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/pittsburgh-syracuse-odds-october-5-2012">according to the oddsmakers</a> the Orange (1-3) will enter as 1 1/2-point favorites (via Bovada.com).</p>
<p>This will be the third time this season Syracuse will be favored. The Orange hold a 1-1 record when favored and are 0-2 in covering the spread in those situations. Syracuse is coming off a bye week which came after a disappointing 17-10 loss to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/minnesota-golden-gophers" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Golden Gophers</a> on Sept. 22.</p>
<p>Pittsburgh is 1-3 against the spread this season. The Panthers (2-2) are also coming off a bye week and will be trying to extend their current winning streak to three games. Pitt defeated then No. 13-ranked <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/virginia-tech-hokies" class="sbn-auto-link">Virginia Tech Hokies</a>, 35-17, and routed Gardner-Webb, 55-10.</p>
<p>The last seven meetings between these two soon-to-be Atlantic Coast Conference programs has favored Pitt. The last time Syracuse defeated Pitt was in 2004 in double overtime.</p>
<h5>Prediction</h5>
<p>The key to victory for both teams will be limiting the turnovers and mental mistakes, something both teams have struggled to do this season.</p>
<p>The Orange will enter the contest with an air attack on offense led by senior quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37776/ryan-nassib" class="sbn-auto-link">Ryan Nassib</a>, while Pittsburgh will try to ground-and-pound the SU defense with senior running back <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75526/ray-graham" class="sbn-auto-link">Ray Graham</a> and freshman <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160700/rushel-shell" class="sbn-auto-link">Rushel Shell</a>.</p>
<p>Usually, in these type of match ups the most physical team can beat the squad with more flair. The edge goes to Pittsburgh there.</p>
<p><b>Final score: Pitt 20, Syracuse 17. <br></b></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/syracuse-orange-football/2012/10/5/3461082/syracuse-vs-pittsburgh-betting-odds-and-predictions-orange-enter-as-1Jared Smith2012-10-03T12:20:13-04:002012-10-03T12:20:13-04:00Orange open Big East play against visit Pitt
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<p>Orange open Big East Conference play Friday when they host the Panthers.</p> <p>The Big East Conference season begins for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/syracuse-orange">Syracuse Orange</a> football program Friday as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/pittsburgh-panthers">Pittsburgh Panthers</a> visit the Carrier Dome (7 p.m. ET on ESPN). The Orange (1-3) are coming off a bye week that hopefully they used to improve on a disappointing loss, 17-10, at the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/minnesota-golden-gophers">Minnesota Golden Gophers</a> on Sept. 22. The Panthers (2-2) are in the middle of a two-game winning streak and have looked better than the team which lost its season opener to Youngstown State, 31-17.</p>
<p>This will be the 68th all-time meeting between the two programs. The Panthers own a 34-30-3 record against the Orange and will enter with a seven-game winning streak over its future Atlantic Coast Conference foe. SU's last victory over Pitt came in 2004 when they won 38-31 in double overtime.</p>
<p>Syracuse is led by a potent air attack led by senior quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37776/ryan-nassib">Ryan Nassib</a>, who has completed 66.3-percent of his passes and thrown for 1,367 yards. Nassib also has 10 touchdown passes and five interceptions.</p>
<p>Nassib favorite target is senior wide receiver <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37778/marcus-sales">Marcus Sales</a>, who has 27 catches for 382 yards and five touchdowns. Sales leads the Big East in catches (6.8) and yards (95.5) per game.</p>
<p>Pittsburgh's offense relies on a two-running back system led by senior <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75526/ray-graham">Ray Graham</a> and freshman <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160700/rushel-shell">Rushel Shell</a>. Graham is averaging 90.5 yards per game, while Shell is compiling a mean of 76.3.</p>
<p>Quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37486/tino-sunseri">Tino Sunseri</a>, a senior, is second in the Big East in passing yards per game (286.0) and has helped the Pitt offense average 29.2 points per game, the second-best mean in the league.</p>
<p>The opening point spread on this game had Pitt as a 2 1/2-point favorite. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcasted on ESPN.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/10/3/3448420/syracuse-vs-pittsburgh-game-time-tv-schedule-injuries-betting-oddsJared Smith2012-10-03T09:52:53-04:002012-10-03T09:52:53-04:00Rutgers plays UConn in a Big East showdown
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<figcaption>Nelson Chenault-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>The Rutgers Scarlet Knights seek to stay perfect against the UConn Huskies while the Syracuse Orange clash with the Pittsburgh Panthers.</p> <p>The 2012 college football season is well underway and has a great story brewing with the re-emergence of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/rutgers-scarlet-knights">Rutgers Scarlet Knights</a>.</p>
<p>Rutgers is currently ranked 22nd in the nation and 4-0 after beating the likes of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/arkansas-razorbacks">Arkansas Razorbacks</a> on the road back on Sept 22. The Scarlet Knights now play the UConn Huskies at home in a pivotal Big East showdown.</p>
<p>Quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134152/gary-nova">Gary Nova</a> has led the way and will seek to continue his stellar play. Thus far, Nova has thrown for nine touchdowns compared to only two interceptions.</p>
<p>Staying in the Big East, Syracuse has a tough game on Friday night against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/pittsburgh-panthers">Pittsburgh Panthers</a> in the Carrier Dome. The Orange are 1-3 with their only win coming against Stony Brook, so a victory is much needed against some upper-echelon competition. The Panthers have won two consecutive games after beginning the year 0-2.</p>
<p>Other headliner games across the country include the No. 5 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-bulldogs">Georgia Bulldogs</a> battling the sixth-ranked <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/south-carolina-gamecocks">South Carolina Gamecocks</a> and the No. 8 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/west-virginia-mountaineers">West Virginia Mountaineers</a> battling the 12th-ranked <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/texas-longhorns">Texas Longhorns</a>.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/10/3/3448504/college-football-2012-scheduleMatt Verderame