5 Things to Know: Syracuse at Pitt
9/15/2026 8:48:00 AM | Football
Syracuse football hits the road for the first time in 2026, facing longtime rival Pittsburgh in a Thursday night showdown on ESPN. Here's five things to know about the matchup:
1. OLD NORTHEAST RIVALS
The Syracuse and Pitt series dates back over 100 years and has been played annually since 1955, in what is by far 'Cuse's longest running annual matchup.
Thursday's game will be the 82nd meeting between the two programs and is 11 more than any other opponent in the Orange's history. Penn State (71), Colgate (69), West Virginia (61) and Boston College (59) are the other four of Syracuse's top-five most frequently played foes.
2. THE ROAD AHEAD
This week is the Orange's first of three straight road games – with a bye next week as well – part of a 35 day stretch away from the JMA Wireless Dome.
The 35 days without a home contest is tied with Texas A&M, Vanderbilt and Cal for the second-longest stretch without a home game this season, among Power 4 programs. Stanford (36 days) has the longest in the Power 4, while Eastern Michigan (38 days) leads all programs.
Syracuse returns home on Oct. 17, hosting Louisville. Tickets are on sale at Cuse.com/FootballTickets.
3. TRENDING
Syracuse is seeking its sixth-straight season with a victory in their first true road game of the season (excludes neutral site games). The Orange won at Clemson (2025) and UNLV (2024), the first road game of each season under head coach Fran Brown, which extended the existing streak. Previously, Syracuse won at Purdue (2023), UConn (2022) and Ohio (2021).
Removing the 2020 COVID-impacted season, Syracuse has won its road opener in front of opposing fans every year since 2017 (at LSU).
To keep that trend going, Syracuse must halt another streak. Pitt owns 11-straight victories against the Orange at Acrisure Stadium.
4. TIGHT END TOUCHDOWNS
Through two weeks, Daunte Bacheyie (2) and David Clement (1) have each found the end zone for Syracuse. The three touchdowns coming from the tight end room ranks third in the FBS so far, trailing only SMU (5) and Georgia (4).
The tight end room has experienced tremendous success in Jeff Nixon's offense, under the direction of Michael Johnson. In 2024, Oronde Gadsden finished the year third among tight ends in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. Last season, Dan Villari finished second on the team in receptions. Both currently play in the NFL, with Gadsden on the Chargers and Villari playing for the Rams.
5. DEFENSE AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS
Through two games, the Syracuse defense has surrendered just 17 points and opponents are averaging just 204.0 yards of total offense against the Orange. That ranks 12th nationally through two weeks.
Syracuse is allowing just 67.0 yards on the ground and 140.5 yards passing thus far. Â Â Â
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1. OLD NORTHEAST RIVALS
The Syracuse and Pitt series dates back over 100 years and has been played annually since 1955, in what is by far 'Cuse's longest running annual matchup.
Thursday's game will be the 82nd meeting between the two programs and is 11 more than any other opponent in the Orange's history. Penn State (71), Colgate (69), West Virginia (61) and Boston College (59) are the other four of Syracuse's top-five most frequently played foes.
2. THE ROAD AHEAD
This week is the Orange's first of three straight road games – with a bye next week as well – part of a 35 day stretch away from the JMA Wireless Dome.
The 35 days without a home contest is tied with Texas A&M, Vanderbilt and Cal for the second-longest stretch without a home game this season, among Power 4 programs. Stanford (36 days) has the longest in the Power 4, while Eastern Michigan (38 days) leads all programs.
Syracuse returns home on Oct. 17, hosting Louisville. Tickets are on sale at Cuse.com/FootballTickets.
3. TRENDING
Syracuse is seeking its sixth-straight season with a victory in their first true road game of the season (excludes neutral site games). The Orange won at Clemson (2025) and UNLV (2024), the first road game of each season under head coach Fran Brown, which extended the existing streak. Previously, Syracuse won at Purdue (2023), UConn (2022) and Ohio (2021).
Removing the 2020 COVID-impacted season, Syracuse has won its road opener in front of opposing fans every year since 2017 (at LSU).
To keep that trend going, Syracuse must halt another streak. Pitt owns 11-straight victories against the Orange at Acrisure Stadium.
4. TIGHT END TOUCHDOWNS
Through two weeks, Daunte Bacheyie (2) and David Clement (1) have each found the end zone for Syracuse. The three touchdowns coming from the tight end room ranks third in the FBS so far, trailing only SMU (5) and Georgia (4).
The tight end room has experienced tremendous success in Jeff Nixon's offense, under the direction of Michael Johnson. In 2024, Oronde Gadsden finished the year third among tight ends in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. Last season, Dan Villari finished second on the team in receptions. Both currently play in the NFL, with Gadsden on the Chargers and Villari playing for the Rams.
5. DEFENSE AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS
Through two games, the Syracuse defense has surrendered just 17 points and opponents are averaging just 204.0 yards of total offense against the Orange. That ranks 12th nationally through two weeks.
Syracuse is allowing just 67.0 yards on the ground and 140.5 yards passing thus far. Â Â Â
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