Syracuse Gets Past Pitt With Short Passes

Syracuse relied on Pittsburgh’s reputation for relentless pursuit on defense and used it to score a 24-7 football victory Saturday.

“It was our plan all week to take advantage of their aggressive defense,” said senior tight end Pat Davis, who turned 2 short passes from quarterback Todd Philcox into touchdowns to spark Syracuse’s victory.

“They were the perfect calls at the perfect time,” said Davis, who caught 3 passes for 84 yards, including touchdown receptions of 46 and 21 yards.

Philcox, a fifth-year senior, said he had thought the 18th-ranked Orangemen would be able to throw long against Pitt but that it became clear early that short passes were there for the taking.

“They usually play receivers in their face, but I think because they respected our wide receivers so much, they softened up,” Philcox said. “We knew because the Pitt defense is aggressive they (allow) the big play. Today, the big play had Pat Davis written all over it.”

Pitt Coach Mike Gottfried attributed Davis’ touchdown catches to blown assignments, rather than an over-aggressive defense.

Syracuse, which is headed to the Hall of Fame Bowl with a 9-2 record, lost its shutout bid with 5:30 to play when Pitt reserve tailback Adam Walker ran 29 yards for a touchdown. Pitt finished 6-5.

Syracuse had difficulty moving the ball in the first quarter against the Pitt defense, which came into the game rated third nationally.

But after Syracuse punted on its first two possessions, Philcox tossed a 10-yard pass to Davis in the left flat. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound tight end ran 36 yards down the left sideline, crashing into safety Troy Washington as he crossed the goal line.

Syracuse extended its lead to 14-0 with 5:31 to play in the second quarter when Philcox floated a pass to Davis on a third-and-short misdirection play at the Pitt 21. Davis caught the ball at the 15 and outran several defenders to the end zone.

Kevin J. Greene added a 27-yard field goal late in the third quarter, and junior tailback Michael Owens scored on a 15-yard run in the final quarter for Syracuse.