After a week off, Syracuse came out with energy Friday night.

Strong play on both sides of the ball helped SU get to a 14-10 halftime lead over Pittsburgh.

The Orange defense forced a three-and-out, stuffing Pittsburgh running back Ray Graham and sacking quarterback Tino Sunseri on the first series. The offense kept the momentum, marching down the field 70 yards in eight plays for a touchdown.

Five minutes into the game, Syracuse looked sharp owned a seven-point lead.

SU tacked on another touchdown on a 52-yard fumble return by Dyshawn Davis to move ahead by two scores in the first quarter, but Pittsburgh cut the deficit to 14-10 at the break. The Orange corralled Graham throughout the first half and got to Suneri regularly, but Panthers wide receiver Devin Street exposed the SU secondary for a career-high eight catches for 107 yards to ignite the offense on two scoring drives.

Syracuse seized control at the end of the first quarter when free safety Jeremi Wilkes separated the ball from Pitt tight end Drew Carswell and Davis scooped it up and sprinted downfield for the score.

From there, though, the SU offense sputtered, failing to convert on three drives, including one that ended on an interception by Ryan Nassib inside the 10.

The scoreless second quarter coupled with a touchdown by Graham and field goal by kicker Kevin Harper got Pittsburgh back in the game by halftime.

Published on October 5, 2012 at 8:36 pm

Contact Ryne: rjgery@syr.edu