5 takeaways from Syracuse's 41-13 loss to Pittsburgh

Syracuse was throttled by Pittsburgh 41-13 on Thursday.

Here are the key takeaways from the loss.

With the additional time off last week, the Pitt coaching staff was able to implement nearly every defensive pass-rush system known to man.

Kyle McCord was under pressure most of the evening as the Panthers' pressure didn't allow him to find a rhythm on the short passes that had been the backbone of the Syracuse offense up to this point in the season.

Somehow the Panthers were only credited with six quarterback hurries and two sacks in the first half. They finished with eight and four respectively.

LeQuint Allen had runs of six, four, eight, eight, four and four yards. McCord fought for seven. The rest of the rushing offense accounted for 11 yards on 18 carries.

Syracuse started 2022 6-0 and finished 7-6. In 2023, it was a 4-0 start and a 6-7 final record. It is 5-1 this season and has yet to be determined.

The Orange are currently in their 12th year in ACC play and have a 30-64 record with one win and two .500 records in conference play.

Several key players, including McCord, were late in the game when the score was out of control. Backup running back Yasin Willis was among them until he suffered an ankle injury less than 4:30 into the game and had to be helped off the field.

It's possible that the coaching staff was trying to restore McCord's confidence and evaluate some of the backup wide receivers (Jaylan Hornsby and Emanuel Ross caught passes on the same drive), but Willis' injury made it seem like a questionable decision.

Oronde Gadsden II left the game in the second quarter and did not return.

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