Syracuse football (3-4, 1-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) once again struggled to move the ball in a 30-13 loss to Pittsburgh (5-2, 3-1 ACC) at the JMA Wireless Dome. After falling 38-3 just a few weeks ago to Duke at home, the Orange failed to find the end zone more than twice against the Panthers.
Three interceptions and just two touchdowns on offense gave @CuseFootball its third straight loss in a 30-13 defeat to @Pitt_FB Saturday night.@BurgessLuke03 and @ginoantimarino had the call from the JMA Wireless Dome. pic.twitter.com/X7aGPoRmPn
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) October 19, 2025
SU kept it close early by responding to Pitt’s opening drive touchdown with one of its own. Syracuse quarterback Rickie Collins connected with wide receiver Darrell Gill Jr. on an 11-yard slant pattern. The opening drive touchdown might have indicated the beginning of a high-scoring affair, but instead, it was one of just two Orange touchdowns of the night.
Orange quarterback Rickie Collins, in his third start, finished with 126 yards on 15-of-31 passing, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. The SU starter was actually put on the bench for parts of the game in the second half and replaced with freshman Luke Carney. Carney threw just 2-of-3 for 10 yards in his small workload. The Texas native’s appearance in tonight’s contest marked the first time a true freshman quarterback has played in a game for Syracuse since JaCobian Morgan back in 2020.
"Just wanted a spark,” Syracuse head coach Fran Brown said in regards to putting freshman Luke Carney in the game. “We are very young at quarterback, and we have to develop."
SU’s rushing attack fell short as well with starting running back Yasin Willis averaging just one yard per carry on 13 attempts. Behind Willis, redshirt senior Will Nixon had just five carries for nine yards.
On the other side, Pitt quarterback Mason Heintschel also struggled against a solid Syracuse defense. The freshman threw for 143 yards and one interception. SU’s defense recorded seven sacks against Heintschel, the most since a 62–24 win over UAlbany in September 2021.
"We are really trying to have an identity on defense,” Brown said about his squad's run defense in the game. “I want it."
Syracuse’s offense did strike late, though, with a 12-yard score as redshirt freshman wide receiver Emanuel Ross cashed in on his first touchdown of the season. SU then attempted for a two-point conversion to make it a one-possession game, and quarterback Rickie Collins got stuffed.
Collins to Ross for the score! 🙌
— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) October 19, 2025
📺 ACCN pic.twitter.com/cijx5okcxX
So, after three poor starts for Collins at quarterback, what are Syracuse’s plans for next Saturday at the position?
“We are just gonna practice, and we are gonna see,” Coach Brown said in regards to whether Collins or Carney starts at quarterback next weekend. “Whoever gives us the best chance at winning, we will do that.”
This defeat marks the first time since 2022 that Syracuse has lost three games in a row. The Orange now turn their attention towards undefeated number 12 Georgia Tech (7-0, 4-0 ACC) down in Atlanta next Saturday. Listen to WAER’s coverage with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Kickoff at 11:30 a.m.