Saturday, October 7
Syracuse, NY
12:30 pm
Syracuse University
vs
Pittsburgh
Photo by: Charles Wainwright
Preview: Syracuse vs. Pittsburgh
10/6/2017 11:24:00 AM | Football
Syracuse (2-3, 0-1 ACC) vs. Pittsburgh (2-3, 0-1 ACC)
Game Details: Saturday, Oct. 7 | 12:30 p.m.
Location: Carrier Dome | Syracuse, N.Y.
Game Links: Tickets | Listen | Watch | Live Stats
Television: RSN
Radio: Syracuse IMG Radio Network
Twitter: @CuseFootball | @Cuse
Syracuse Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats | Notes
Pittsburgh Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats | Notes
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse (2-3, 0-1 ACC) returns to the Carrier Dome on Saturday, Oct. 7 to host Pittsburgh (2-3, 0-1 ACC). The game marks the 73rd meeting between the two Eastern football rivals and kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. on RSN. Wes Durham, James Bates and Rebecca Kaple have the call.
Both sides are eyeing their first conference victories of the season and the game is the centerpiece of Orange Central (Homecoming) Weekend. Tomorrow's contest has been billed as an 'Orange Out' and fans are encouraged to wear their favorite orange Syracuse-themed gear. The official 'Orange Out' t-shirt is available at multiple area retailers, including the Syracuse University Bookstore, Manny's and Shirt World. Orders can also be placed online through the University Bookstore's website by clicking here.
EASTERN FOOTBALL HEAVYWEIGHTS
Syracuse and Pittsburgh are two of the premier FBS football teams in the region. Both have more than 700 wins in their histories. The Panthers have 714, while the Orange own 718 (11 SU victories from 2004-06 were vacated by the NCAA). In addition, they have combined to win the Lambert Meadowlands Trophy 12 times.
Presented every year since 1936, the Lambert Meadowlands Trophy recognizes the best FBS team in the Northeast. Syracuse has claimed the trophy six times, most recently in 1992, which is tied with Pitt for third on the list behind Penn State (30) and Army (7).
The schools have combined for 10 national championships. Pitt has nine with the most recent coming in 1976. The Orange won the crown in 1959. Syracuse (15) and Pittsburgh (13) have 28 bowl victories between them. Both programs also boast a Heisman Trophy winner (Syracuse – Ernie Davis, 1959; Pittsburgh – Tony Dorsett, 1976).
DYNAMIC DUO
Syracuse is the only FBS team with two players who have 165+ career receptions (Ervin Philips- 178, Steve Ishmael- 165). Philips ranks second on the program's ledger for career receptions, while Ishmael is third on the list. Alec Lemon holds the Syracuse record, hauling in 201 receptions from 2009-12.
The pair have combined for 95 catches for 1,052 yards in 2017. Ishmael leads the way with 51 receptions for 632 yards, while Philips has 44 catches for 420 yards. Their 95 combined receptions account for 60.9 percent of Syracuse's total catches, while their 1,095 receiving yards represent 65.3 percent of the team's production.
Ishmael and Philips rank first and second in the Atlantic Coast Conference in receptions per game and first and third nationally. Their 343 career receptions are the most of any active FBS duo. Middle Tennessee's Richie James (232) and Ty Lee (91) are second with 323 combined catches.
FLIPPING THE FIELD
Redshirt sophomore punter Sterling Hofrichter ranks second in the conference and seventh nationally in punting, averaging 46.4 yards per boot. Hofrichter is third among ACC punters, as 45.8 percent (11-24) of his punts have been downed inside the 20-yard line.
Hofrichter averaged a career-high 51 yards on seven punts against Central Michigan. He did not allow a Chippewas return and four traveled more than 50 yards, including a 64-yarder.
In 2016, Hofrichter earned Freshman All-America and All-ACC honors when he finished second nationally among rookies in punting average (42.7). He equaled Virginia's Nicholas Conte for the conference lead with 23 punts of 50+ yards a year ago.
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
Pittsburgh is in its third season under head coach Pat Narduzzi. In his three years at the helm of the program, the Panthers own an 18-13 overall record and have advanced to two bowl games. Last season, Pittsburgh recorded an 8-5 overall record and earned an invitation to the 2016 Pinstripe Bowl, suffering a 31-24 loss to Northwestern.
The Panthers enter Saturday's contest with a 2-3 overall record and 0-1 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference play. In its last outing, Pittsburgh snapped a three-game losing streak with a 42-10 win against Rice.
Pitt has been able to capitalize off its opponents' miscues. The Panthers lead the ACC and rank 14th nationally with 11 turnovers gained. Pittsburgh has recovered five fumbles this season, which paces the conference and ranks 11th in the country
Junior wide receiver Quadree Henderson is one of the nation's most dynamic players. A 2016 consensus All-American, Henderson ranks second in the league and 12th in the country in punt returns, averaging 14.8 yards per return. The Wilmington, Del. native is also one of 15 players nationally to return a punt for a score this season.
Redshirt senior quarterback Max Browne is completing 71.7 percent of his throws, which ranks second in the ACC and 10th nationally. In Pittsburgh's last outing, Browne tossed four touchdown passes against Rice. Redshirt senior punter Ryan Winslow has emerged as one of the country's best at his position. Winslow leads the conference and ranks fourth nationally in punting, averaging 46.8 yards per kick.
SERIES HISTORY
The Panthers own a 38-31-3 advantage in the all-time series and have won the past four meetings.
In the last matchup between the two clubs, Pittsburgh emerged with a 71-61 win against on Nov. 26, 2016. The two team's combined for an FBS-record 137 points and more than 1,300 yards of total offense. Orange quarterback Zack Mahoney accounted for a school-record seven touchdowns on the day, including tying Ryan Nassib's program record with five touchdown passes. Mahoney was 43-for-61 through the air for 440 yards.
All five of Mahoney's scoring passes went to wide receiver Amba Etta-Tawo, who caught 13 passes for 178 yards in his last game in a Syracuse uniform. Etta-Tawo's five TD receptions matched Torry Holt's ACC record.
Syracuse's last victory against Pittsburgh came on Oct. 5, 2012, a 14-13 win.
UP NEXT
Syracuse hosts reigning national champion Clemson on Friday, Oct 13. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game will air on ESPN. Tickets start at $45 and are available online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B).
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
Game Details: Saturday, Oct. 7 | 12:30 p.m.
Location: Carrier Dome | Syracuse, N.Y.
Game Links: Tickets | Listen | Watch | Live Stats
Television: RSN
Radio: Syracuse IMG Radio Network
Twitter: @CuseFootball | @Cuse
Syracuse Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats | Notes
Pittsburgh Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats | Notes
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse (2-3, 0-1 ACC) returns to the Carrier Dome on Saturday, Oct. 7 to host Pittsburgh (2-3, 0-1 ACC). The game marks the 73rd meeting between the two Eastern football rivals and kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. on RSN. Wes Durham, James Bates and Rebecca Kaple have the call.
Both sides are eyeing their first conference victories of the season and the game is the centerpiece of Orange Central (Homecoming) Weekend. Tomorrow's contest has been billed as an 'Orange Out' and fans are encouraged to wear their favorite orange Syracuse-themed gear. The official 'Orange Out' t-shirt is available at multiple area retailers, including the Syracuse University Bookstore, Manny's and Shirt World. Orders can also be placed online through the University Bookstore's website by clicking here.
EASTERN FOOTBALL HEAVYWEIGHTS
Syracuse and Pittsburgh are two of the premier FBS football teams in the region. Both have more than 700 wins in their histories. The Panthers have 714, while the Orange own 718 (11 SU victories from 2004-06 were vacated by the NCAA). In addition, they have combined to win the Lambert Meadowlands Trophy 12 times.
Presented every year since 1936, the Lambert Meadowlands Trophy recognizes the best FBS team in the Northeast. Syracuse has claimed the trophy six times, most recently in 1992, which is tied with Pitt for third on the list behind Penn State (30) and Army (7).
The schools have combined for 10 national championships. Pitt has nine with the most recent coming in 1976. The Orange won the crown in 1959. Syracuse (15) and Pittsburgh (13) have 28 bowl victories between them. Both programs also boast a Heisman Trophy winner (Syracuse – Ernie Davis, 1959; Pittsburgh – Tony Dorsett, 1976).
DYNAMIC DUO
Syracuse is the only FBS team with two players who have 165+ career receptions (Ervin Philips- 178, Steve Ishmael- 165). Philips ranks second on the program's ledger for career receptions, while Ishmael is third on the list. Alec Lemon holds the Syracuse record, hauling in 201 receptions from 2009-12.
The pair have combined for 95 catches for 1,052 yards in 2017. Ishmael leads the way with 51 receptions for 632 yards, while Philips has 44 catches for 420 yards. Their 95 combined receptions account for 60.9 percent of Syracuse's total catches, while their 1,095 receiving yards represent 65.3 percent of the team's production.
Ishmael and Philips rank first and second in the Atlantic Coast Conference in receptions per game and first and third nationally. Their 343 career receptions are the most of any active FBS duo. Middle Tennessee's Richie James (232) and Ty Lee (91) are second with 323 combined catches.
FLIPPING THE FIELD
Redshirt sophomore punter Sterling Hofrichter ranks second in the conference and seventh nationally in punting, averaging 46.4 yards per boot. Hofrichter is third among ACC punters, as 45.8 percent (11-24) of his punts have been downed inside the 20-yard line.
Hofrichter averaged a career-high 51 yards on seven punts against Central Michigan. He did not allow a Chippewas return and four traveled more than 50 yards, including a 64-yarder.
In 2016, Hofrichter earned Freshman All-America and All-ACC honors when he finished second nationally among rookies in punting average (42.7). He equaled Virginia's Nicholas Conte for the conference lead with 23 punts of 50+ yards a year ago.
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
Pittsburgh is in its third season under head coach Pat Narduzzi. In his three years at the helm of the program, the Panthers own an 18-13 overall record and have advanced to two bowl games. Last season, Pittsburgh recorded an 8-5 overall record and earned an invitation to the 2016 Pinstripe Bowl, suffering a 31-24 loss to Northwestern.
The Panthers enter Saturday's contest with a 2-3 overall record and 0-1 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference play. In its last outing, Pittsburgh snapped a three-game losing streak with a 42-10 win against Rice.
Pitt has been able to capitalize off its opponents' miscues. The Panthers lead the ACC and rank 14th nationally with 11 turnovers gained. Pittsburgh has recovered five fumbles this season, which paces the conference and ranks 11th in the country
Junior wide receiver Quadree Henderson is one of the nation's most dynamic players. A 2016 consensus All-American, Henderson ranks second in the league and 12th in the country in punt returns, averaging 14.8 yards per return. The Wilmington, Del. native is also one of 15 players nationally to return a punt for a score this season.
Redshirt senior quarterback Max Browne is completing 71.7 percent of his throws, which ranks second in the ACC and 10th nationally. In Pittsburgh's last outing, Browne tossed four touchdown passes against Rice. Redshirt senior punter Ryan Winslow has emerged as one of the country's best at his position. Winslow leads the conference and ranks fourth nationally in punting, averaging 46.8 yards per kick.
SERIES HISTORY
The Panthers own a 38-31-3 advantage in the all-time series and have won the past four meetings.
In the last matchup between the two clubs, Pittsburgh emerged with a 71-61 win against on Nov. 26, 2016. The two team's combined for an FBS-record 137 points and more than 1,300 yards of total offense. Orange quarterback Zack Mahoney accounted for a school-record seven touchdowns on the day, including tying Ryan Nassib's program record with five touchdown passes. Mahoney was 43-for-61 through the air for 440 yards.
All five of Mahoney's scoring passes went to wide receiver Amba Etta-Tawo, who caught 13 passes for 178 yards in his last game in a Syracuse uniform. Etta-Tawo's five TD receptions matched Torry Holt's ACC record.
Syracuse's last victory against Pittsburgh came on Oct. 5, 2012, a 14-13 win.
UP NEXT
Syracuse hosts reigning national champion Clemson on Friday, Oct 13. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game will air on ESPN. Tickets start at $45 and are available online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B).
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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