PITTSBURGH — Pitt entered the sport towards Syracuse undefeated, ranked nineteenth within the newest AP Ballot, and it nonetheless felt just like the Panthers wanted to show that they have been for actual.

A 41-13 drubbing of Syracuse, maybe one of the best defensive efficiency of the school soccer season, actually made an announcement. Pitt dominated a one-loss convention opponent on nationwide tv and enters a mini-bye week earlier than the largest sport since 2021.

It was a very good evening at Acrisure Stadium.

“Heck of a defensive efficiency,” Pat Narduzzi stated after the win. “I imply, I don’t care how we win, offense, protection. We acquired nice coordinators, acquired nice coaches, acquired nice gamers. It’s a tribute to only the general teaching and play-makers.

“We talked about ‘begin sensible’ was our deal this week. We needed to begin sensible. We knew type of Syracuse was type of like us as a soccer workforce. They gained video games and squeaked by some video games and gained ’em. We type of thought they have been similar to what we have been. Simply talked about how we would have liked to begin quick and be sensible, simply do all the main points. Precision execution is type of what our deal was. We actually did that.”

Finest Linebacking Corps in School Soccer 

Pitt can roll 5 – 6 deep at linebacker, and the unit seemingly doesn’t miss a beat. The expertise and depth within the linebacking corps are critically spectacular.

Kyle Louis, Rasheem Biles, Brandon George, Braylan Lovelace and Jordan Bass mixed for 32 tackles (18 solo), 4 tackles for loss, two sacks, 4 interceptions (three returned for touchdowns), a move breakup and three quarterback hits.

It’s a younger unit behind George, who’s new to beginning himself, to be truthful, and Narduzzi pointed to the event beneath linebackers coach Ryan Manalac.

“I imply, it’s referred to as growth,” Narduzzi stated. “It’s referred to as teaching. Coach Manalac does an ideal job with these Sharks, as we nicely know. Sharks have been on assault at present. Jaws could be pleased with what occurred on the market at present.

“Once more, we knew it in spring ball. I imply, Kyle Louis was our greatest linebacker in spring ball. You could possibly ask anyone on the offense, protection. Kyle Louis has been dominant. He stays dominant. Biles is correct there with him. Lovelace, the final two weeks, that man’s performed lights out as nicely. Brandon George continues to play stable inside.”

Louis (60 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, three interceptions, a compelled fumble and a landing) and Biles (52 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, an interception and a landing) seem like respectable All-American candidates.

And George is a dependable chief on the within, with Lovelace and Bass contributing in heavy doses.

Ben Sauls Has NFL Vary 

Pitt has had some good kickers in the course of the Pat Narduzzi period, however he’s assured in who one of the best has been.

“He’s one of the best one I’ve ever been round,” Narduzzi stated. “I might think about he’d be up for the Lou Groza. They need to simply give it to him mid-season. He’s computerized from 57, 58. Doesn’t matter the place you place him. He’s been excellent this whole season.”

Sauls linked on each of his discipline purpose makes an attempt towards Syracuse, stretching his consecutive made discipline purpose makes an attempt to 14 — a program document. He drilled makes an attempt of 49 and 57 yards and all of his point-after makes an attempt.

I’ll admit that I used to be skeptical Sauls may drill a 57-yarder into the open finish zone of Acrisure Stadium, however the kick sailed true. His leg is sort of limitless.

He’s drilled all 12 discipline purpose makes an attempt (with a protracted of 58 yards) and all 32 point-after makes an attempt. If Pitt crosses midfield, the Panthers are in vary to place factors on the board.

Kickers aren’t chosen within the NFL Draft yearly, however Sauls has all of the instruments to be chosen by an NFL workforce.

What’s Up With the Offense? 

I’m not nervous about Eli Holstein long-term, he’s going to be the beginning quarterback at Pitt for a number of seasons, however I’m barely involved for the remainder of this season.

If Pitt goes to attain its targets this season, it wants the Holstein from the primary 5 video games of the season. He hasn’t appeared like that over the past two video games. And he was barely higher towards Syracuse than he was Cal, but it surely wasn’t actually a bounce again — and he acquired harm.

“Eli goes to be advantageous,” Narduzzi stated. “He’s in there smiling, completely happy, leaping round. So we’ll be advantageous. Simply added precaution. Saved him out. At first we simply thought he had grime in his eye. It was slightly bit greater than grime, however he’s advantageous and completely happy.”

Holstein accomplished 11-of-15 move makes an attempt for 108 yards and two touchdowns, however he simply didn’t look snug. The sport was shifting too shortly.

Holstein has accomplished 138-of-215 move makes an attempt (64%) for 1,808 yards with 17 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, including 286 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and three touchdowns on the bottom, this season. He’s been wonderful, only for a second-year freshman. However Pitt wants him to settle down and make the throws he’s requested to make — particularly towards SMU.

It was a bizarre sport for Pitt, offensively, at the very least, when it comes to not having a lot rhythm. Pitt scored defensively, and when it didn’t, it performed a sport through which it needed Syracuse to attract out its possessions.

It will likely be vital to determine the run sport going ahead, getting touches for Desmond Reid (simply 11 towards Syracuse) and making use of Rodney Hammond Jr. and Daniel Carter.

There’s not a critical concern but, but it surely’s as much as the offense now to match the defensive output. If it might probably? Be careful.

Subsequent Greatest Alternative of the Season

Pitt hasn’t performed a ranked vs. ranked matchup since Week 2 of the 2022 season towards Tennessee.

If No. 22 SMU dispatches a very good Duke squad this weekend, the matchup between Pitt and SMU in Dallas, Texas subsequent weekend might be large. It’s a matchup that can draw School GameDay hype and could have convention and nationwide storylines.

“Once more, workforce win total,” Narduzzi stated. “Shifting on to the subsequent, SMU. Massive sport down in Dallas. Trying ahead to it.”

It’s a giant sport, the largest in years. The ACC continues to be talked about as a three-team race between Miami, Clemson and SMU. ESPN offers Pitt a 2.4% likelihood to win the convention, behind the three aforementioned groups by a substantial margin.

A win towards SMU would go a really great distance in establishing Pitt as a respectable convention (and Playoff) contender. And make the November matchup towards Clemson that a lot larger.