In the early games for the Big East in Week Four, both of the teams that are leaving the Big East for the ACC were featured. Syracuse "won" 33-30 over Toledo in overtime. I'm not so sure that the Orange extra point which made it 30-27 in the fourth quarter was good. Look for yourself here. Toledo didn't go for a touchdown in the redzone and settled for a field goal. If the Syracuse extra point wasn't good, that Toledo field goal would have won the game. Toledo lost the toss in OT and had to play offense first and promptly threw away a game on an interception in the endzone. Syracuse ran the ball down close to the goal and kicked a chip shot field goal for the win, their second OT victory of the season.
Ryan Nassib had a good day passing for the Orange with 224 yards and 2 TDs. Antwon Bailey and Prince-Tyson Gulley were both effective rushing the ball.
Pittsburgh's offense is not high octane and the reason is that they don't have the quarterback they need to run Todd Graham's offense in Tino Sunseri. The Panthers were only in the game because Notre Dame refuses to get out of their own way this season. Notre Dame outgained Pittsburgh 398-268, but committed two turnovers, eight penalties and missed a field goal. Ray Graham was held under 100 yards on the ground for Pittsburgh. It had been easy to doubt Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees the way the game had gone for him. However, on the game-winning drive, he was 8/8 passing. For the second week in a row, the Panthers collapsed in the fourth quarter.
The final score was 15-12. It was terrible football to watch. Dave Wannstedt smiled on this game.