Pitt vs. Syracuse Postgame Notes
12/3/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 3, 2011
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PITTSBURGH - • Serving as Pitt's game captains for the day are DL Myles Caragein, DL Chas Alecxih, DL Justin Hargrove and DL Brandon Lindsey.
• Today's honorary Pitt captain is Al Romano, a standout nose tackle for the Panthers from 1973-76. Romano anchored an outstanding defense that helped Pitt to an undefeated season and the 1976 national title. He was a first-team All-American as a senior and went on to play in the Hula Bowl and Japan Bowl all-star games.
• RB Isaac Bennett recorded his first career start against the Orange.
• LB Tristan Roberts recovered a Syracuse fumble on the opening kickoff. He recovered another fumble late in the third quarter for his third career fumble recovery and second this season.
• DL Brandon Lindsey grabbed his first career interception in Syracuse's first drive of the game, which resulted in a Pitt field goal.
• TE Anthony Gonzalez's 17-yard rushing TD in the Wildcat formation gave him his first career TD.
• LB Todd Thomas' first quarter sack is his second of the season (0.5 sack vs. Connecticut).
• Thomas' sack gives Pitt at least one sack in each of the last 24 games. The last time Pitt failed to record a sack was against Utah on Sept. 2, 2010.
• Syracuse is only the second team during the 2011 season to score a touchdown on Pitt in the first quarter. The other was USF on Sept. 29.
• RB Corey Davis recorded a career-high in receiving. The only other game in which he has recorded a reception was a one-catch for six yards night at West Virginia.
• PK Kevin Harper made four field goals on the day including 37, 36, 36 and 47 yards. Previously he had made three field goals against USF and Cincinnati.
• DL Brandon Lindsey caused two Syracuse turnovers in the second half with two forced fumbles - his first two of the season.
• DB Buddy Jackson recovered the fumble caused by Lindsey, which is also his first of the season.
• LB Todd Thomas forced a Syracuse fumble late in the third quarter, which is his first of his career.
• DB Andrew Taglianetti intercepted a Syracuse pass late in the fourth quarter. It marked his first career interception.
• Pitt forced six turnovers (2 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries) on the day, which is a season-high for the Panthers. The six turnovers are Pitt's most since they recorded six against Ohio on Aug. 31, 2002 (5 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery). Pitt won 27-14.