SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Quarterback Mason Heintschel ran for a touchdown, Kenny Johnson returned a punt 66 yards for another score, and Trey Butkowski kicked three field goals as Pittsburgh defeated Syracuse 30-13 on Saturday night.
Pitt (5-2, 3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) secured its third straight win behind true freshman Heintschel, while the Orange (3-4, 1-3) suffered their third consecutive loss. This was Syracuse’s third straight game with LSU transfer Rickie Collins starting at quarterback, following a season-ending injury to Steve Angeli.
With the victory, Pitt extended its dominance over Syracuse, winning seven of the last eight meetings and 20 of the last 24 games in the series that dates back to 1955.
Both teams struggled offensively, combining for just 28 first downs and 472 total yards. Penalties were also a factor, with the teams committing 25 combined infractions.
Heintschel completed 13 of 24 passes for 143 yards with one interception and was sacked seven times. Ja’Kyrian Turner led the Panthers on the ground with 42 rushing yards. Collins finished 16-of-32 passing for 126 yards, throwing two touchdown passes alongside three interceptions, and led Syracuse with 37 rushing yards. Johntay Cook was the Orange’s top receiver with seven catches for 66 yards.
The first half featured several critical quarterback turnovers. After an interception by Pitt cornerback Tamon Lynum, Heintschel broke free for a 36-yard touchdown run, putting Pitt on the board first. Late in the first quarter, Syracuse cornerback Davien Kerr intercepted Heintschel and returned the ball to the Pitt 12-yard line, setting up an 11-yard touchdown pass from Collins to Darrell Gill Jr. to tie the game at 7.
From there, Pitt took control. Just before halftime, following a Syracuse three-and-out, Johnson fielded a punt from Jack Stonehouse and sprinted 66 yards for a touchdown with only two seconds remaining, giving the Panthers a 17-7 lead at the break.
Syracuse’s offensive woes continued in the second half. A potential fourth interception for Pitt was thwarted by a dropped catch from safety Javon McIntyre. Freshman Luke Carney briefly replaced Collins for two drives in the third quarter before Collins returned.
The Orange managed only 74 yards and five first downs in the first 30 minutes, including just 14 yards on 12 rushes against a Pitt defense that ranked nationally among the best against the run, allowing just 2.16 yards per carry. Syracuse also went three-and-out six times.
**The Takeaway**
**Pittsburgh:** The Panthers did just enough to secure their third straight victory but struggled to consistently move the ball and protect Heintschel.
**Syracuse:** With their offense plagued by turnovers and inefficiency, the Orange face the daunting prospect of three of their next four games on the road against ranked opponents, including a crucial matchup next Saturday at undefeated No. 7 Georgia Tech.
**Up Next**
– Pitt hosts N.C. State on Saturday.
– Syracuse travels to No. 12 Georgia Tech on Saturday.
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https://wtop.com/ncaa-football/2025/10/pitt-dominates-syracuse-30-13-for-third-straight-win/
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