Syracuse University
Pittsburgh
Syracuse Wins Fifth Straight, Beats Pittsburgh 42-10
10/13/2001 5:21:08 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH, PA -- Syracuse University senior James Mungro rushed for 113 yards and the Orange defense caused five turnovers in the Orangemen's 42-10 win against the University of Pittsburgh on Saturday, October 13, 2001, in front of 52,367 fans at Heinz Field. It was Syracuse's fifth straight win this season and its 11th straight against the Panthers. The Orangemen are now 5-2 overall and 2-0 in the BIG EAST.
The Panthers got on the scoreboard first with a 66-yard scoring drive, most of which came on two big plays - an 18-yard run by Raymond Kirkley, and a 41-yard pass from David Priestly to Antonio Bryant.
Syracuse took advantage of one of Pittsburgh's two first-half turnovers to tie the score. After SU recovered a fumble on the Panther 39-yard line, quarterback Troy Nunes, who replaced an injured R.J. Anderson, completed a 27-yard pass to Maurice Jackson for Syracuse's first score. Collin Barber, making his collegiate debut, kicked the extra point to tie the score.
Pittsburgh benefited from a Syracuse turnover to retake the lead. Following a Nunes fumble on his own five-yard line, the Panthers kicked a field goal with 1:52 remaining to take a 10-7 lead into halftime.
Syracuse took control of the game in the first five minutes of the second half. The Orangemen scored on their second play of the half, a 56-yard run by Mungro which gave SU the lead for good. On Pittsburgh's next possession, senior Will Hunter recorded his first career interception and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown.
Sophomore Jamel Riddle set up Syracuse's next score with a 32-yard punt return to the Panther 26-yard line. Four plays later, Anderson, who started the second half, scored on a quarterback sneak to give Syracuse a 28-10 lead with 5:59 remaining in the third quarter.
Anderson connected on a 53-yard pass to sophomore Johnnie Morant which set up Kyle Johnson's one-yard touchdown run with 9:23 remaining. Redshirt freshman Walter Reyes closed out the scoring with his first career touchdown on a four-yard run.
While Syracuse's offense was compiling 201 yards in the second half, its defense dominated the Panthers. The Orangemen allowed just 47 yards rushing in the second half as Pittsburgh managed just three first downs.
The Orange, which ranks first nationally in turnovers gained, won the turnover battle again as Syracuse's defense caused five turnovers, marking the second time this season it has caused five turnovers in a game. Hunter, Quentin Harris and Willie Ford each recorded interceptions, while Harris also caused a fumble. After forcing just 16 turnovers in 11 games last season, the Orangemen raised their total to 21 turnovers in seven games this season.
While the defense had several contributors, Mungro was the offensive star. He finished with 113 yards on 15 carries with one touchdown, marking his 10th career 100-yard rushing game. Mungro moved past Ernie Davis on Syracuse's career rushing list. He now has 2,417 yards on 421 carries in his career.
Mungro wasn't the only Orangemen who moved up on Syracuse's career leader lists. Nunes'? touchdown pass in the second quarter was the 24th of his career, giving him sole possession of fourth place on SU?s career record list. It was also the 30th touchdown he is responsible for which ties him for seventh place with Pat Stark (1951-53).
While Syracuse extended its winning streak, one streak did come to an end on Saturday. Senior Dwight Freeney's streak of consecutive games with a sack ended at seven.
The Orangemen have now won five straight games for the first time since 1997. That year the Orange turned around a 1-3 start to win eight straight games. Syracuse will try for its sixth consecutive victory on Saturday when it hosts Temple at the Carrier Dome at 1:30 p.m.
