Big East battle pits Panthers against Orange

Published online on Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009

A couple of teams at completely difference ends of the Big East spectrum clash at Heinz Field this weekend, as the Pittsburgh Panthers host the Syracuse Orange.

The Orange have had little success in the Big East over the last few years, so it's not all that big of a surprise to see the team start off 0-3 in 2009. To Syracuse's credit, it has faced three of the better teams in the league and that includes highly-ranked Cincinnati, which captured a 28-7 decision at the Carrier Dome last weekend.

"Obviously, another disappointing loss," said head coach Doug Marrone, whose Orange club fought valiantly against the undefeated Bearcats. "At the end of the day, we're not a good enough football team to not execute at a very high level and stay in a game or be able to win a game against the No. 5 team in the country."

The loss was the third in four games for the Orange, who finished their lengthy six-game homestand an even 3-3. Syracuse is now set to play just its second road game of the campaign and first since losing at nationally-ranked Penn State (28-7) all the way back on September 12th.

For Pitt, it is coming off a much needed bye after opening the season with eight straight weeks of football. The Panthers continue to climb the rankings, as they have won seven of their initial eight games for the first time since 1982. Included in those victories is a 41-14 trouncing of South Florida in the team's most recent outing on October 24th.

"It was a great team win today," said head coach Dave Wannstedt of the team's rout of USF. "We constantly talk about trying to improve every week and playing as a team. I don't know how it could have come together any better than what happened today."

The Panthers have won their last four games, all against league foes, since suffering a 38-31 setback at NC State, and they are tied with Cincinnati for the top spot in the Big East standings. Pitt however, hasn't defeated a ranked team yet this year, but it will get its chances to do so down the stretch, finishing the season with games against Notre Dame, West Virginia and Cincinnati.

Pitt and Syracuse have clashed every year since 1955, with the Panthers clinging to a narrow 31-30-3 lead in the all-time series. The Panthers have taken six of the past seven encounters from the Orange, including a 34-24 decision at the Carrier Dome last season.

Despite being limited to just 283 total yards, Syracuse had its chances against Cincinnati last weekend, but committed a pair of red-zone turnovers that proved costly.

"You have to keep hammering it home and coaching it," said coach Marrone about ball security in the red zone. "I would say that without a doubt, we never take that for granted, but those are things we have to do."

The Orange doesn't posses an offense that can overcome turnovers, especially in the red zone, as the unit is averaging just 312.6 ypg, with 20 miscues on the season.

Quarterback Greg Paulus has been guilty of some major mistakes in scoring situations this season and he was picked in the end zone against Cincinnati. He finished the game 12-of-17 for 85 yards and a score, while backup Ryan Nassie showed some potential with 97 yards on 7-of-10 throws. Paulus, a former Duke basketball standout, is still the starting quarterback, but he needs to cut down on the mistakes, throwing 11 picks against just 10 touchdowns.

To make matters worse for Paulus and the rest of the offense, star wideout Mike Williams quit the team on Monday. He was suspended against Akron for violating team rules, but was still among the top receivers in the Big East with 746 yards in seven games. The 6-2 junior, who had four catches last weekend, compiled 133 receptions for 2,044 yards and 20 touchdowns in three season with the Orange.