First look: Pittsburgh one win away from becoming bowl eligible

Pittsburgh won its third straight game with a 30-13 win at Syracuse on Saturday.

The Panthers improved to 5-2 overall with the two narrow losses coming at West Virginia and vs. Louisville in September. Both losses came with sophomore Alabama quarterback transfer Eli Holstein starting. Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi is now starting true freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel the last three games.

NC State plays at Pittsburgh at 3:30 p.m. Saturday on the ACC Network. The Panthers host the Wolfpack and play at Stanford the next two weeks. Pitt then closes vs. Notre Dame, at Georgia Tech and vs. Miami (Fla.).

Pittsburgh feasted on Syracuse mistakes

The Panthers got on the board early when Syracuse quarterback Rickie Collins got intercepted by defensive back Tamon Bynum at the SU 37-yard line. Heintschel took off on third and nine and ran for a 36-yard touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead.

The game changed in the final 30 seconds of the second quarter. Syracuse started on its own 20-yard line and threw three passes and were forced to punt from its 23-yard line with 18 seconds left, rather than running out the clock.

Pittsburgh punt returner Kenny Johnson returned the punt 66 yards for a touchdown with two seconds remaining, giving the Panthers a 17-7 lead going into halftime.

The final killer turnover happened when Collins threw an interception to Kavir Bains, who returned it 57 yards to the Orange 18-yard line with 11:37 left in the game. Pittsburgh tacked on a 32-yard field goal to build a 23-7 lead.

Pitt made its mistakes too

Syracuse first touchdown was set up when Heintschel was intercepted at the Panthers own 46-yard line, and Davien Kerr returned it 34 yards to the 12-yard line. Collins threw a 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Darrell Gill Jr.

Pittsburgh had a 61-yard touchdown run by Ja’Kyrian Turner called back due to a holding penalty late in the second quarter.

The Panthers couldn’t catch and gather an onside kick attempt that gave the ball back to Syracuse after the Orange had cut it to 23-13 with 6:18 left in the game.

The Panthers allowed seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss, some of it due to Heintschel holding on to the ball too long, but also not doing well against the Orange’s blitzes.

Pittsburgh has injuries

Pittsburgh had 14 players out with injures for the Syracuse game on last week’s injury report, and seven players were listed as “game-time decisions.”

One of the players who played was running back Desmond Reid, but only on a part-time basis. The former Western Carolina standout has 42 carries for 225 yards and a touchdown, and he caught 14 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns this season. He had six carries for 38 yards against Syracuse.

Leading tackle junior linebacker Rasheem Biles missed the game against the Orange. He has 52 tackles, two sacks and one interception for a 75-yard touchdown in six gamers this season.

The left side of the offensive line has been without guard Keith Gouveia and tackle Jeff Persi. Former NC State center Lyndon Cooper anchors the line and is a team captain, but the Orange overwhelmed the group in the first three quarters.