Syracuse football faces its first road test of the 2026 season Thursday, when the Orange travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Panthers in an ACC matchup at Acrisure Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., with the game airing on ESPN.
BILLS GAME WEEK: Buffalo opens new Highmark Stadium Thursday night against Lions (preview) The Orange enter the matchup after putting together 437 yards of total offense against Cal. Syracuse had three receivers surpass 70 yards in the game, led by Justus Ross-Simmons with 105 yards. Umari Hatcher added 77 yards, while tight end Daunte Bacheyie finished with 74 yards. Bacheyie has also scored two touchdowns through the first two games, with David Clement adding another touchdown from the tight end room.
Syracuse’s defense has been equally impressive to start the season, allowing just 17 points and 204.0 yards per game through two contests. The Orange are giving up only 67.0 rushing yards and 140.5 passing yards per game, ranking 12th nationally in total defense.
That defense will face Pitt quarterback Mason Heintschel, who takes on Syracuse for the second time in his career. Heintschel and the Panthers managed just 255 yards of total offense against the Orange last season, which was Pitt’s third-lowest total of 2025.
This game will be the 82nd all-time meeting between Syracuse and Pitt, with the series dating back to 1916. The Panthers have won 11 straight meetings against the Orange at Acrisure Stadium.
GAME WEEK LINKS
- Orange Make Road Trip to Pittsburgh Thursday (cuse.com)
- Fran Brown Issues Blunt Truth on Syracuse Accountability and Penalties Ahead of Pitt (si.com)
- Syracuse football: what’s college football saying about the Orange after Week 2? (nunesmagician.com)
- No injury concern for Angeli after 3 interceptions vs. Cal, Fran Brown says (dailyorange.com)
- 5 Things to Know: Syracuse at Pitt (cuse.com)
- Syracuse football needs more playmakers in the passing game (nunesmagician.com)
FRAN BROWN’S PRESS CONFERENCE
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Fran Brown MUST FIX Syracuse Football's PENALTY PROBLEM #syracusefootball #franbrown pic.twitter.com/xWxEkZiMYX
— Locked On Syracuse (@LO_Syracuse) September 14, 2026
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.