Syracuse (3-3, 1-1 Atlantic Coast) will face No. 25 Pittsburgh (5-1, 3-0) Saturday at noon in the Carrier Dome and the game will be broadcast on ESPNU. The Orange is coming off a triple-overtime, 44-38, loss to Virginia while the Panthers escaped with a 31-28 win over Georgia Tech with a late 56-yard field goal. After starting the season 3-0, SU is trying to avoid dipping below .500 and get two-thirds of the way to bowl eligibility. The Panthers can clinch bowl eligibility with a win. Here’s everything you need to know in the week leading up to the clash between former Big East opponents.

Secondary option

As if it couldn’t get any tougher for Syracuse’s secondary, Pitt wide receiver Tyler Boyd leads the ACC in receptions and receiving yards per game. He’s also caught four touchdowns in five games. Former Heisman Trophy contender and Panthers running back James Connor — previously Pitt’s primary offensive weapon — is out for the season, but Boyd still has the potential to give the Orange defensive backs fits.

Against Virginia, Julian Whigham and Co. held firm early on, but the senior was beat by Cavaliers wide receiver Canaan Severin for a 36-yard score in the first overtime. Backup cornerbacks Cordell Hudson and Juwan Dowels had a couple impressive pass breakups and safety Antwan Cordy returned a fumble for a touchdown, but a secondary possibly without Rodney Williams for the second straight week will have a tougher test on Saturday.

Fresh legs

It seems, contrary to Scott Shafer’s advice, that freshman quarterback Eric Dungey always has fresh legs. Against UVA, his 18 rushing attempts were two more than the combined attempts of all three running backs. The highlight of the day was Dungey’s clean hurdle of safety Quin Blanding, a leap capping off a 26-yard touchdown run at the end of the first half.

Shafer told Dungey during his recruitment not to jump over defenders anymore. Last week, he said Dungey needed to learn how to throw the ball away instead of scramble. The freshman didn’t listen to either order, saying postgame Saturday, “It’s not in my nature.”

He continues to be a dual-threat taking big hits, and Saturday will reveal if Dungey will stick to his own desired style instead of his head coach’s.

Injury report

• Williams, a safety, didn’t play Saturday and was dropped to second-string free safety on this week’s depth chart
• AJ Long was medically disqualified last Tuesday due to multiple concussions, further thinning the quarterbacks at SU’s disposal

Game-week coverage

For all Syracuse-Pitt updates leading up to and during the game, follow @DOSports on Twitter and check dailyorange.com.

Published on October 19, 2015 at 4:42 pm

Contact Matt: mcschnei@syr.edu | @matt_schneidman