Game Week: Pitt Commences Conference Play with Syracuse on Thursday Night

PITTSBURGH – Pitt welcomes Syracuse to Acrisure Stadium on Thursday night for a primetime ACC matchup on ESPN.

The Panthers and Orange will meet for the 82nd time, with Pitt owning a 45-33-3 advantage in the all-time series. The teams have met every season since 1955.

Pitt has won six consecutive Thursday games dating to 2019. The Panthers defeated Syracuse, 41-13, in their most recent Thursday contest in 2024.

PITT vs. SYRACUSE

September 17, 2026 • 7:30 PM

Acrisure Stadium (51,416/Natural Grass) • Pittsburgh, Pa.

ESPN • 93.7 The Fan • Pitt Panthers Radio Network

PittsburghPanthers.com • @Pitt_FB

GAME STORYLINES

Pitt enters this Thursday's game with a 2-0 record following victories over Miami (Ohio) and UCF. The Panthers defeated the Knights, 12-7, after opening the season with a 59-14 victory over the RedHawks.
With his 143rd game as Pitt's head coach last week, Pat Narduzzi tied Hall of Famer Jock Sutherland for the most games coached in program history. This week, Narduzzi will surpass the legendary coach when he leads Pitt for the 144th time.
Quarterback Mason Heintschel has completed 49-of-70 passes (70.0%) for 665 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions through the first two games. He leads the ACC in completions and ranks second in passing yards and passing yards per game.
Heintschel is the second Pitt quarterback this century to attempt at least 70 passes without an interception through the first two games of a season, joining Kenny Pickett in 2021.
Pitt has completed 52-of-73 passes for 692 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions through two games. The Panthers rank third in the ACC with 346 passing yards per game and have not committed a turnover this season.
Wide receiver Cataurus Hicks leads Pitt with eight receptions for 178 yards. Hicks ranks fifth in the ACC in receiving yards and has led the Panthers in receiving in each of their first two games.
Pitt has allowed only 47 rushing yards through two games, an average of 23.5 yards per contest and 1.1 yards per carry. The Panthers lead the ACC in both rushing yards allowed per game and yards allowed per carry.
The Panthers limited UCF to 206 total yards, nine first downs and 20 rushing yards. Pitt recorded eight tackles for loss, four sacks and five pass breakups while stopping the Knights on all three of their fourth-down attempts.
Kicker Antonio Chadha has converted both of his field-goal attempts and all eight of his extra-point attempts this season. His Pitt-record-tying 58-yard field goal against Miami (Ohio) remains the longest by an ACC player this season.
Pitt has won 20 of its past 24 games against Syracuse, including seven of eight since 2018. The Panthers are 9-2 against the Orange under Narduzzi and have won 11 consecutive home games in the series.
The 2026 campaign marks Pat Narduzzi's 12th season as Pitt's head coach. Since his arrival in 2015, Narduzzi has directed the Panthers to 52 ACC victories, the third-highest total in the conference during that span. Only Clemson (75) and Miami (56) have more.

WHERE TO WATCH

National Television • ESPN

Matt Barrie (play-by-play)

Chase Daniel (analyst)

Paul Carcaterra (sideline reporter)

TUNE IN TO THE PANTHERS RADIO NETWORK

93.7 The Fan & Pitt Radio Network (937thefan.radio.com)

Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play)

Pat Bostick (analyst)

Dorin Dickerson (sideline reporters)

OTHER BROADCAST INFORMATION

SiriusXM Satellite Radio

SiriusXM 84 and on the SiriusXM App

WPTS Radio (Pitt Student Station) • 92.1 FM

TICKET INFORMATION

Season tickets, mini-plans and single-game tickets for the 2026 Pitt football season are on sale now. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting PittsburghPanthers.com.