University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Follow Live: FINAL | Pitt Football 27 vs. Syracuse 13
9/17/2026 5:30:00 PM | Football
FOURTH QUARTER
3:01: Syracuse ended a lengthy drive with a 30-yard field goal from Shay Barker. The Orange were once again held out of the end zone due to Pitt’s defensive pressure.
8:16: Despite a prime scoring opportunity, a pair of incomplete passes forced Pitt to settle for a field goal. First Wright dropped a pass, then Censere Lee turned his back after Heintschel's throw got away from him, even though he was wide open. Chadha connected on the 34-yard attempt to give Pitt a 27-10 lead.
11:29: The defense continued to show off, this time with linebacker Braylan Lovelace intercepting Angeli’s pass.
14:19: Raion Strader jumped the pass to pick off Steve Angeli. Pitt takes over at the 33-yard line.
THIRD QUARTER
6:01: Shawn Lee Jr. broke up a deep ball that was right on target and likely would've gone for a touchdown. Sean FitzSimmons followed with a sack, then pressure from Jimmy Scott and Alex Sanford forced an incomplete pass. A delay of game penalty sealed it, and Syracuse was forced to punt.
11:19: Mason Heintschel scored his own touchdown, running it in from nine yards out. Three 15-plus yard runs paved the way to the score — just a great showing from Pitt's run game. The Panthers are up 24-10.
HALFTIME
SECOND QUARTER
0:02: Syracuse had another red zone opportunity, but the Pitt defense held firm once again. Nick James sacked Steve Angeli to end the hopes of a touchdown, and the Orange snuck in one last field goal to make it 17-10 at the half.
0:58: Mason Heintschel gets picked off by Syracuse's Davien Kerr and the Orange take over at the 41. It's the first interception of the season for the sophomore quarterback.
3:30: Syracuse set up shop on Pitt's 2-yard line, and the Panthers' defense held the Orange scoreless drive after drive. It would've been a turnover on downs had Raion Strader not been called for roughing the passer, gifting Syracuse a fresh set of downs from the two. Pitt staved off the Orange for two more downs before Syracuse running back Ahmad Miller finally found the end zone.
8:08: Mason Heintschel ran for 43 yards on the 7-play drive, but Pitt couldn't get the ball into the end zone. The Panthers settled for a Antonio Chadha field goal from 42 yards to extend the lead to 17.
10:30: Pitt's defense came up big, keeping Syracuse out of the end zone despite a first-and-10 at the Pitt 14-yard line. The Orange were forced into a 29-yard field goal attempt, but Tripp Woody's kick went wide.
12:44: Damon Ferguson Jr. found the end zone for his third touchdown of the season, making a great cut to stay on his feet on a 32-yard run. Pitt leads 14-0.
FIRST QUARTER
00:00: Syracuse is digging itself a hole with penalties — five for a loss of 51 yards so far. La'Vell Wright has the only touchdown of the night, and Mason Heintschel is 3-for-6 for 52 yards. The Panthers have a 7-0 advantage at the end of the quarter.
TOUCHDOWN
3:16: A pair of Syracuse penalties bailed Pitt out of a fourth-and-8. Mason Heintschel made the most of it, hitting La'Vell Wright for five yards, then somehow escaping a sack to find Censere Lee for a 9-yard gain. Wright capped the drive with a two-yard touchdown run, giving Pitt a 7-0 lead.
13:04: Pitt opened the game with a 38-yard gain when Mason Heintschel found Carson Kent, but the offense stalled after that and had to punt.
PANTHER PROWL
INJURY REPORT
The ACC released its final availability report two hours before kickoff Thursday, and it brought mixed news for Pitt heading into Syracuse. Running back Ja'Kyrian Turner will be a game-time decision, while wide receiver Malik Knight is officially out.
Turner's fate likely won't be clear until he's warming up on the field. He was in this exact position last week against UCF and was ultimately held out. The Panthers leaned on Damon Ferguson Jr. and La'Vell Wright to fill the gap.
That pairing didn't miss a beat: Ferguson leads the team with 81 rushing yards and is the only Panther with a touchdown in both games this season, while Wright isn't far behind at 60 rushing yards.
Knight's absence stings less than it might have. The passing game still runs through Cataurus Hicks and Censere Lee, who've combined for 15 catches, 282 yards and two touchdowns this season. Either Bryce Yates or Tony Kinsler should slide into the vacated role. With that much production still on the field, Pitt's offense shouldn't feel too different without him.
PITT VS. SYRACUSE | GAME TRAILER
Pitt opens ACC play this Thursday night at Acrisure Stadium, hosting Syracuse in the Panthers' first conference matchup of the 2026 season. The Panthers and Orange will meet for the 82nd time, with Pitt holding a 45-33-3 advantage in the all-time series. Pitt has won 20 of the last 24 meetings with Syracuse, including 11 straight at home.
Tonight's Party on the North Shore matchup brings the Panthers back under the lights at Acrisure Stadium, with a full night of entertainment and surprises planned throughout the evening.
