If you walked into the JMA Wireless Dome on October 18, 2025, you would’ve felt it. That specific kind of tension that only exists when two teams have been hitting each other for over a hundred years. It wasn't the prettiest game. Honestly, it was pretty sloppy—25 penalties and a lot of yellow laundry on the turf. But that’s Syracuse Orange football vs Pittsburgh Panthers football matches in a nutshell. They are gritty, often weird, and deeply personal for fans in Central New York and Western PA.
Pitt walked away with a 30-13 win that night, but the score doesn't tell the whole story. It never does with these two.
A Hundred Years of Hating Each Other (Respectfully)
This isn't some manufactured media rivalry. It started in 1916. Think about that. Since 1955, they haven't missed a single year. They’ve followed each other from being Eastern Independents to the Big East, and finally into the ACC. When the ACC scrapped divisions recently, they made sure this game stayed on the calendar as a "protected" matchup. They know.
The history is basically a game of tug-of-war. Pitt leads the all-time series 45-32-3, but it hasn't been a steady climb. It’s a series defined by massive, decade-long streaks.
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- The Pitt Era (1973–1983): The Panthers ripped off 11 straight wins.
- The Syracuse Response (1991–2001): The Orange returned the favor with 11 straight of their own.
Lately? It’s been all Pitt. They’ve won 20 of the last 24. That kind of dominance hurts if you're wearing Orange, especially when you consider how many of those games were decided by a single possession.
That Insane 76-61 Game
We have to talk about 2016. If you like defense, stay away from the highlights of that one. It was basically a basketball game played on grass. Pitt won 76-61.
137 combined points.
20 combined touchdowns.
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That remains the highest-scoring regulation game in FBS history. Syracuse quarterback Zack Mahoney threw for 440 yards and five touchdowns—and lost. It was the kind of game that leaves coaches looking for a new career and fans wondering if the scoreboard might actually catch fire. It’s the ultimate "only in this rivalry" moment.
The 2025 Matchup: What Really Happened
Fast forward to the most recent clash. Syracuse was reeling from a season-ending injury to Steve Angeli, leaving LSU transfer Rickie Collins to hold the fort. It didn't go great. Pitt’s defense is notoriously "gritty"—which is just a nice way of saying they’ll hit you until you stop wanting the ball.
Mason Heintschel, a true freshman for the Panthers, didn't look like a rookie. He tucked the ball and ran for a 36-yard score early on that just deflated the Dome. But the real backbreaker? Kenny Johnson’s 66-yard punt return with two seconds left in the first half. You could hear the air leave the building.
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Syracuse tried to make it interesting. Collins hit Darrell Gill Jr. and Emanuel Ross for scores, but three interceptions are a death sentence against a Pat Narduzzi-coached team. By the fourth quarter, the Dome was half-empty. For Syracuse head coach Fran Brown, it was a harsh reminder that "DART" (Detailed, Accountable, Relentless, Tough) is easy to say but hard to execute when Pitt is in town.
Why You Should Care About the 2026 Game
Looking ahead, the 2026 meeting is going to be massive for the trajectory of both programs. Here is the reality of where these teams stand:
- The Quarterback Carousel: Syracuse needs to figure out if Rickie Collins or Luke Carney is the future. Playing both in 2025 just muddied the waters.
- Pitt’s Defensive Identity: The Panthers have regained their swagger. They are currently out-recruiting the Orange in key areas, and that physical gap is showing on the field.
- The Recruiting Trail: Fran Brown was hired to win the living room. If he can't beat Pitt—a primary regional rival—it makes those pitches to four-star recruits a lot harder.
Most people get this rivalry wrong by thinking it's just another ACC game. It's not. It's about the first college game ever played at Yankee Stadium back in 1923. It’s about Dan Marino and Donovan McNabb. It’s about two cities that feel a lot alike—blue-collar, cold, and obsessed with their football teams.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning to follow the next chapter of this rivalry, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Trenches: Pitt’s defensive line has lived in the Syracuse backfield for the last three years. Until the Orange can protect the QB, the result won't change.
- Bet the Under (Usually): Despite that 2016 anomaly, these games are typically low-scoring, penalty-filled grinds.
- Check the Venue: Syracuse plays better in the loud, climate-controlled Dome, but Pitt has found a way to win there recently by silencing the crowd early with a strong run game.
The 2026 game will likely be a litmus test for Fran Brown’s era. If Syracuse can't snap this losing streak soon, the gap between the "Salt City" and the "Steel City" might become a canyon.